I always giggle when friends, who will remain unnamed, or my mother say they are having popcorn for dinner. Then while having dinner with my daughter at school lunch that day was popcorn chicken and as the kids were talking about again I couldn’t help but giggle because I like popcorn and chicken, but not a fan of popcorn chicken, which has nothing to do with popcorn other then looks.
It is snowing here and I thought it was a perfect day for chicken pot pie. Not a fan of pie crusts I could make chicken pot pie soup but that always ends up more like a hotdish anyways because my family likes thick soup. Again popcorn chicken popped in my head for some reason and I had to giggle again so I came up with this Popcorn Chicken Pot Pie, a healthy fun twist on a classic comfort food. Then I told the girls guess what we are having popcorn for dinner!
Popcorn Chicken Pot Pie
Makes 6-8 servings
Non stick cooking spray or 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2c chicken broth (used organic low sodium)
½ c cold water
2 TBSP corn starch
Shallot or onion finely chopped (about ¼ c)
1 celery stalk chopped (about ¼ c)
2 carrots sliced (just over ½ c)
½ c peas
½ c corn
3 Potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks (about 4 cups chopped)
2c chicken breast cooked, shredded and rough chopped
1c milk (used Silk unsweetened almond milk)
1-2 c plain popcorn (air popped, or I usually have a bag of Skinny Pop on hand)
Salt and Pepper
Spray or put oil in a large pan at medium/high. Add shallots or onions and celery and sweet moving them around with a wooden spoon until tender, about 2-3 mins. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. When boiling turn to medium, medium low, and add carrots, peas, and corn. Cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Add potatoes and cook until they can be pierced with a fork, about 7 minutes.
While potatoes are cooking in a small bowl whisk together 2TBSP corn starch and 1/2c cold water to make a thickener. Set aside.
When the potatoes can be pierced with a fork add chicken and milk. Turn heat to medium and when it just starts to come to a boil slowly add your thickener while stirring. It will start to thicken, simmer for 2-3 mins. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Place pot pie into bowls and top with popcorn!
