Chicken pot pie is a classic comfort food loved for its savory filling and flaky crust. Many chain restaurants have their take on this beloved dish, but the quality can vary widely. When it comes to chicken pot pie, the quality can vary greatly depending on the chain. The best options often offer rich, flavorful fillings and a well-made crust, while the worst may suffer from bland ingredients and inconsistent preparation. Here’s a look at five of the best and five of the worst chain restaurants serving chicken pot pie, along with reasons why they stand out—or fall short.
Cracker Barrel
Why It’s Great:
Cracker Barrel is known for its home-style cooking, and their chicken pot pie is a standout item. The pie features tender chicken, a rich and creamy filling, and a golden, flaky crust. It’s made fresh daily and offers a comforting, homemade feel that resonates with diners.
Customer Feedback:
Diners appreciate the generous portion size and the balance of flavors. The pie is often praised for its consistency and comforting taste.
Boston Market
Why It’s Great:
Boston Market offers a chicken pot pie that’s consistently high-quality, with a hearty filling of tender chicken and vegetables encased in a buttery crust. The restaurant is known for its focus on rotisserie chicken, which adds a rich flavor to their pot pie.
Customer Feedback:
The combination of savory ingredients and the pie’s generous size make it a popular choice. Customers often commend its satisfying, classic flavor and the abundance of chicken and vegetables.
Marie Callender’s
Why It’s Great:
Marie Callender’s is renowned for its pies, and their chicken pot pie is no exception. It features a rich, creamy filling with a blend of tender chicken and vegetables, all wrapped in a flaky, golden crust. The restaurant’s dedication to pie-making ensures a quality product.
Customer Feedback:
The pie is praised for its well-balanced flavor and substantial filling. Many appreciate the consistency and the fact that it’s a staple item on Marie Callender’s menu.
KFC
Why It’s Great:
KFC’s chicken pot pie is a popular choice due to its hearty filling made with KFC’s signature fried chicken. The pot pie is known for its rich, flavorful gravy and the combination of seasoned chicken with vegetables, all encased in a flaky crust.
Customer Feedback:
KFC’s pot pie is often noted for its robust flavor and satisfying filling. The use of KFC’s fried chicken adds a unique twist that sets it apart from traditional pot pies.
Denny’s
Why It’s Great:
Denny’s chicken pot pie is a solid choice for comfort food enthusiasts. It features a creamy filling with chunks of chicken and vegetables, all served in a crispy, baked crust. The dish is a staple on their menu and is available throughout the day.
Customer Feedback:
Diners appreciate the consistent quality and value of Denny’s pot pie. It’s often praised for its flavor and the generous amount of filling.
Applebee’s
Why It Falls Short:
Applebee’s chicken pot pie has received criticism for its lackluster flavor and inconsistent quality. The filling can sometimes be overly bland, and the crust is often described as mediocre. The pie may also suffer from being pre-made and not always freshly prepared.
Customer Feedback:
Customers frequently mention that the pie lacks the depth of flavor found in other chains and that the texture of the crust can be unappealing.
Outback Steakhouse
Why It Falls Short:
Outback Steakhouse is better known for its steaks and Australian-themed dishes, and their chicken pot pie often takes a backseat. The pie can be criticized for its overly heavy gravy and less-than-tender chicken, leading to a dish that feels more like an afterthought.
Customer Feedback:
Feedback often highlights that the pot pie doesn’t live up to the restaurant’s other offerings and that the filling can be too rich or greasy.
Chili’s
Why It Falls Short:
Chili’s chicken pot pie tends to be underwhelming compared to their more popular menu items. The pie is often criticized for its bland filling and lack of seasoning. Additionally, the crust can be less flaky and more doughy than desired.
Customer Feedback:
Customers report that the pie lacks the flavor and quality found in other chain restaurants, and it often feels like a lower priority item on the menu.
Ruby Tuesday
Why It Falls Short:
Ruby Tuesday’s chicken pot pie has received mixed reviews for its flavor and texture. The pie often suffers from an overly thick and pasty filling, and the crust may not be as flaky or enjoyable as expected.
Customer Feedback:
Diners frequently mention that the pie feels like a letdown compared to other options on the menu, with the filling sometimes being bland and unappetizing.
Red Robin
Why It Falls Short:
Red Robin is primarily known for its burgers, and their chicken pot pie often doesn’t measure up to their more celebrated dishes. The pot pie can be criticized for having a lackluster filling and an uninspired crust.
Customer Feedback:
Feedback often points to a lack of flavor and a less satisfying texture compared to other menu items. The pie may feel like a lower-quality option, given Red Robin’s focus on burgers.
