Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

This Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie is a hearty, comforting classic made with tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, rich chicken broth, and homemade square pot pie noodles. Unlike traditional crust-topped pot pie, this Pennsylvania Dutch-style version is a savory one-pot meal with thick, tender noodles simmered directly in the flavorful broth.

Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie Recipe – Amish-Style Chicken Pot Pie

Make this comforting Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie with tender chicken, potatoes, vegetables, savory broth, and homemade square pot pie noodles. A hearty Amish-style classic.

Why You'll Love This Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie

Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch style: This version uses homemade square noodles instead of a traditional pastry crust.
Hearty and comforting: Tender chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and savory broth make this a satisfying family meal.
Homemade noodles: Soft, thick square noodles soak up the delicious chicken broth and add wonderful texture.
One-pot meal: The chicken, vegetables, noodles, and broth come together in one pot for easier cooking and cleanup.
Rich homemade flavor: Simmering the chicken and vegetables creates a flavorful broth that forms the heart of the dish.
Perfect for cold days: This warm and filling comfort food is especially satisfying during fall and winter.
Family-friendly: Simple ingredients and mild seasoning make it a great meal for the whole family.
Great for leftovers: The flavors deepen as the dish rests, making it an excellent make-ahead meal.

What Is Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie?

Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food that is quite different from the familiar American pot pie baked with a pastry crust.

In Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, chicken pot pie is typically a brothy one-pot dish made with chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and square homemade noodles. The noodles are rolled thin, cut into squares, and simmered directly in the chicken broth until tender.

The dish is also known as bott boi or bot boi in Pennsylvania Dutch culinary tradition. Regional recipes vary, with some versions using carrots, celery, onions, peas, or other vegetables.

This homemade version combines tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and simple square pot pie noodles in a flavorful chicken broth for a hearty Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired meal.

Ingredients

For the Chicken and Broth

2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
8 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 medium yellow onion, quartered
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme

For the Pot Pie Noodles

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 large egg
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup whole milk
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1–2 tablespoons additional flour, as needed

For the Pot Pie

4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper, to taste

How to Make Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie

1. Cook the Chicken

Place the chicken, chicken broth, water, quartered onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and thyme in a large pot.

Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 30–40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Remove the chicken from the pot and allow it to cool enough to handle.

2. Make the Pot Pie Noodle Dough

While the chicken cooks, combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl.

Whisk together the egg, milk, and melted butter. Add the wet ingredients to the flour and mix until a soft dough forms.

Knead gently for 1–2 minutes until smooth. Avoid overworking the dough.

Cover and let it rest for about 10–15 minutes.

3. Roll and Cut the Noodles

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it into a thin rectangle, approximately ⅛ inch thick.

Cut the dough into roughly 2-inch squares.

Separate the noodles and lightly dust them with flour so they do not stick together. Square noodles are characteristic of Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie.

4. Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones.

Shred or cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Strain the broth if desired, then return it to the large pot.

5. Cook the Vegetables

Bring the broth to a gentle boil.

Add the potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion.

Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are beginning to become tender.

6. Add the Pot Pie Noodles

Bring the broth to a gentle boil and carefully add the noodle squares one at a time, stirring gently as you add them to prevent them from sticking together.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and the vegetables are fully cooked.

Adding the noodles gradually helps prevent them from clumping.

7. Return the Chicken

Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.

Simmer for another 5–10 minutes so the chicken warms through and the flavors come together.

8. Season and Serve

Taste and adjust the salt and black pepper as needed.

Stir in the fresh parsley.

Ladle the Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie into bowls and serve hot.

Pro Tips for the Best Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie

Roll the noodles thin: About ⅛ inch gives them a tender but substantial texture.
Cut noodles evenly: Similar-sized squares cook at roughly the same rate.
Add noodles gradually: Dropping them in one at a time helps prevent them from sticking together.
Don't overwork the dough: Gentle mixing and kneading produces more tender noodles.
Use homemade broth when possible: A flavorful chicken broth makes a noticeable difference.
Don't overcook the chicken: Remove it once tender and return it to the pot near the end.
Keep the broth at a gentle boil: This helps cook the noodles evenly without breaking up the chicken and vegetables.
Adjust the broth: Add a little extra chicken broth or water if the pot becomes too thick.
Let it rest: Allow the finished pot pie to rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors can settle.
Serve it hot: Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie is especially comforting when served fresh and warm.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie with:

Chopped fresh parsley
Finely chopped raw onion
Green salad
Pepper cabbage
Sliced tomatoes
Steamed green beans
Applesauce
Pickled vegetables

Finely chopped raw onion and simple vegetable sides are traditional accompaniments mentioned with Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie.

For a comforting Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired dinner, serve a generous bowl of chicken pot pie with a simple salad or cooked vegetables.

Variations

Amish Chicken Pot Pie

Keep the recipe simple with chicken, potatoes, broth, and homemade square noodles for a traditional Amish-style preparation.

Chicken Pot Pie with Peas

Add 1 cup of frozen peas during the final 5 minutes of cooking for extra color and sweetness.

Creamy Chicken Pot Pie

For a richer variation, stir a small amount of heavy cream into the finished broth. Keep in mind that this creates a creamier version rather than the traditional brothy style.

Turkey Pot Pie

Replace the chicken with leftover roasted turkey for a delicious post-holiday meal.

Extra-Noodle Pot Pie

Double the noodle dough if you love thick, hearty noodles. Traditional recipes vary in how noodle-heavy they are.

Storage

Allow leftover Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie to cool slightly before transferring it to an airtight container.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the noodles have absorbed too much liquid.

The dish can also be frozen, although the potatoes and noodles may soften after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pennsylvania Dutch chicken pot pie made with a crust?

Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch chicken pot pie is generally not made with the pastry crust associated with American chicken pot pie. Instead, it features square homemade noodles cooked directly in a savory broth with chicken and vegetables.

What makes Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie different?

The biggest difference is the noodles. Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie is a brothy dish with thick square noodles, while the more familiar American chicken pot pie usually has a pastry crust.

What are Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie noodles?

They are homemade noodles made from a simple flour-based dough, rolled thin and cut into square pieces before being cooked directly in the broth.

Can I use store-bought pot pie noodles?

Yes. Thin, dried square pot pie noodles can save preparation time and are an easy substitute for homemade noodles.

Can I use leftover chicken?

Absolutely. Using cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken makes this recipe faster. Add the cooked chicken toward the end so it does not become dry.

Can I use turkey instead of chicken?

Yes. Turkey is an excellent substitute, especially when using leftover Thanksgiving or holiday turkey.

Why are my pot pie noodles sticking together?

The noodles can stick if they are added too quickly or if the broth is not hot enough. Add them gradually, separate them as they enter the pot, and stir gently.

Can I add more vegetables?

Yes. Carrots, celery, potatoes, peas, and onions all work well. Pennsylvania Dutch recipes vary by family and region, so the vegetable combination can be adjusted to your preference.

Nutrition Facts

Approximate nutrition per serving:

Calories: 465 kcal
Protein: 31 g
Carbohydrates: 52 g
Total Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg
Sodium: 850 mg
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 5 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the chicken pieces, broth, noodle ingredients, vegetables, and amount of salt used.

Similar Recipes

Amish Chicken and Noodles
Chicken Noodle Soup
Classic Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken and Dumplings
Pennsylvania Dutch Beef Pot Pie
Turkey Pot Pie
Homemade Chicken Soup
Amish Beef and Noodles

Final Thoughts

Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie is a hearty and comforting dish that showcases the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch approach to pot pie. Tender chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and homemade square noodles simmer together in a flavorful broth to create a satisfying one-pot family meal.

Unlike the familiar crust-covered pot pie, this brothy version gets its signature texture from homemade noodles cooked directly in the chicken broth.

Try this easy Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie recipe at home and enjoy tender chicken, hearty vegetables, homemade noodles, and comforting homemade flavor in every bite!