What is in Cracker Barrel chicken pot pie?

Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie is a popular comfort food option on their menu. The savory pie is filled with chicken, vegetables, and a creamy sauce all baked in a flaky, buttery pie crust. But what exactly goes into this classic dish? Here is a comprehensive look at the ingredients found in Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie.

Crust

The crust is an important component of any chicken pot pie. Cracker Barrel’s crust is made from all-purpose flour, salt, solid vegetable shortening, and cold water. These simple ingredients are blended together and rolled out to create a tender and flaky pastry shell. The crust provides a buttery, savory contrast to the creamy chicken filling.

Chicken

Chicken is the star ingredient and namesake of chicken pot pie. Cracker Barrel uses chicken breast meat in their pies. The chicken is cooked with seasonings until tender and juicy. The boneless, skinless chicken breast provides a mild flavor and meaty texture within the pie.

Vegetables

In addition to chicken, Cracker Barrel’s pot pie contains a medley of fresh vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, peas, onions, and celery are commonly used. The vegetables are diced into small pieces and cooked until just tender before being added to the creamy sauce. They provide texture, color, and complementary flavors.

Sauce

The sauce is what brings everything together in Cracker Barrel’s pot pies. The sauce is made with chicken broth, butter, flour, and heavy cream or milk. The broth and butter provide savory flavor. The flour thickens the liquid to create the cream sauce. Heavy cream makes the sauce extra rich and luxurious. The vegetables and chicken are coated in this creamy sauce.

Herbs and Spices

For seasoning, Cracker Barrel uses a blend of herbs and spices in their chicken pot pie filling. Black pepper, thyme, sage, and rosemary are often used to add flavor. Poultry seasoning is also commonly used. The herbs provide earthy undertones while the spices add a layer of warmth and subtle heat.

Pie Assembly

After preparing the individual components, Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pies are assembled before baking. First, the creamy chicken mixture is spooned into the pie crust shell. The top crust is placed over the filling and the edges are pressed together to seal. Slits are cut in the top to allow steam to escape. Finally, the pot pies are baked until golden brown.

Baking Process

The final step for Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie is baking. The pies are cooked in ovens set to a high temperature, typically around 375°F to 400°F. The high heat allows the crust to become flaky and golden brown. It also thoroughly cooks the chicken and vegetables locked inside. Baking transforms the pie from a collection of individual ingredients into a cohesive, flavorful dish.

Ingredients List

For full transparency, here is Cracker Barrel’s published ingredients list for their homestyle chicken pot pie:

Chicken breast meat
Enriched all-purpose flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
Vegetable shortening (palm oil, soybean oil)

Water
Carrots
Potatoes

Onions
Celery
Chicken broth

Peas
Salt
Whey

Nonfat milk
Sugar
Spice

Natural flavors
Pimento
Dehydrated parsley

Turmeric and oleoresin paprika (color)
Soybean oil
Butter

Wheat flour

This list shows that while Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie is made with simple, recognizable ingredients, there is some processing involved for shelf stability and commercial production.

Nutrition Information

Here is the full nutritional breakdown for Cracker Barrel’s homestyle chicken pot pie according to their website (based on 1/8th of a whole pie):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	370
Total Fat	21g
Saturated Fat	7g
Trans Fat	0.5g
Cholesterol	45mg
Sodium	680mg
Total Carbohydrates	37g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Total Sugars	3g
Protein	16g

As you can see, Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie is high in calories, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates. This is expected for such a rich, indulgent dish. The pie does also provide a good amount of protein from the chicken. Overall, chicken pot pie is a treat that should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The indulgence comes from the decadent ingredients list.

Allergens

Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie contains several common food allergens. Their pie crust contains wheat flour so the pie is not suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The sauce is made with dairy ingredients like milk and butter, so the pie is unsuitable for people with dairy allergies. And the pie contains soybean oil, so anyone with a soy allergy should avoid this dish.

Availability

Cracker Barrel serves their chicken pot pie daily during normal business hours. It is a permanent fixture on their homestyle menu. The pies are freshly baked throughout the day at each location. You can order the chicken pot pie for dine-in or carry-out. It is typically not available for delivery. Advanced ordering or reservations are not required. Supplies are abundant and the pies rarely sell out.

Prices

As of November 2022, Cracker Barrel sells their chicken pot pie at the following prices:

Dine-in single serving: $8.99
Carry-out family-size pie (serves 6): $13.99

Prices may vary slightly by location. Taxes and gratuity are additional for dine-in orders. Coupons and discounts are sometimes offered through Cracker Barrel’s email club and app to save on chicken pot pies.

Taste and Texture

So how does Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie actually taste? Here is a description of the flavor and texture:

Crust – The crust is flaky, buttery, and golden brown. It has a rich, savory baked flavor from the reaction between the flour, fats, and touch of sugar.

Filling – The chunks of chicken are tender and moist. The array of diced vegetables provides bursts of flavor. Everything is coated in a creamy, decadent sauce.
Seasoning – Notes of black pepper, sage, thyme, and savory are detectable. Well seasoned but not overly spiced.
Texture – The crust provides a crisp, flaky texture contrasting the soft, creamy filling. Varied textures come from the chicken, vegetables, and sauce.

Overall flavor – Deeply comforting and savory. The chicken pot pie satisfies a craving for something warm, nostalgic, and indulgent.

Customer Reviews

Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie is a beloved menu item with mostly positive reviews from customers. Here are a few direct quotes praising the dish:

“The chicken pot pie at Cracker Barrel is my absolute favorite. The crust is amazing and the filling is so tasty and comforting.”

“I dream about the chicken pot pie from Cracker Barrel! The vegetables and chicken are so tender and delicious in the creamy sauce. Absolute comfort food.”
“We always stop at Cracker Barrel on road trips to get their famous chicken pot pie. It really takes me back to childhood and never disappoints.”
“Cracker Barrel definitely has the best chicken pot pie in the game. The flaky crust and hearty filling make my mouth water just thinking about it!”

While most reviews are glowing, there are a few comments indicating the quality can vary by location or day. But overall, the chicken pot pie remains a customer favorite.

How to Order

Ordering Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie is simple. To order for dine-in, simply ask your server to add it to your order. Specify whether you want a single individual pie or a family-size to share. For carry-out, phone ahead or place your order in person. You can either order just the chicken pot pie or make it part of a larger family meal deal. Online ordering is not available directly through Cracker Barrel, but it is supported through third-party delivery services like DoorDash.

Pairings

Chicken pot pie is classic comfort food. Here are some delicious pairings to consider when dining on Cracker Barrel’s version:

Hashbrown casserole – The rich, cheesy potato dish is an ideal complement
Biscuits or cornbread – Freshly baked sides soak up the savory sauce
Coleslaw or potato salad – Cool, creamy sides balance the hearty pie

Fried okra or apples – Southern-style appetizers with contrasting crunch
Iced tea, lemonade, or milkshake – Sweet beverages cut through the saltiness

Pair with comfort sides and Southern drinks for the ultimate chicken pot pie meal.

Storage

For the best taste and texture, Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pies are best enjoyed freshly baked. But leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot and bubbly, taking care not to overcook. The crust may lose some crispness. For longer storage, uneaten family-size pies can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutritional Alternatives

While delicious, Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie is high in calories, fat, and sodium. Here are some suggestions for lighter options:

Grilled chicken salad – Get your protein without the heavy pie crust and sauce

Broiled fish – Lighter than chicken and lower in saturated fat
Vegetable plates – Load up on low calorie veggies and sides
Country Boy breakfast – Egg-based dishes offer protein without the indulgence

Healthy sides – Opt for fresh fruit, coleslaw, or cottage cheese

Be mindful of portions and sides to balance out the splurge of chicken pot pie.

Copycat Recipe

You can recreate Cracker Barrel’s signature chicken pot pie at home with this copycat recipe:

Ingredients

2 refrigerated pie crusts (1 for bottom, 1 for top)
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup sliced carrots

1 cup diced potatoes
1 chopped onion
1 cup frozen peas

3 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon thyme
1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 1 pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish.

In a skillet, cook chicken, carrots, potatoes, and onion until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
In a saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour to form a roux. Gradually add the chicken broth while whisking continuously. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened.
Add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir in the cooked chicken and vegetables. Pour mixture into prepared pie crust.

Top with second pie crust. Crimp edges to seal. Cut slits in the top crust. Brush pie with egg wash.
Bake for 50-55 minutes until crust is golden brown. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

This homemade version allows you to enjoy Cracker Barrel’s classic chicken pot pie flavor from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Conclusion

Cracker Barrel’s homestyle chicken pot pie is cherished for its savory flavor profile and creamy, comforting ingredients. The pie crust envelops tender chicken and vegetables coated in a rich sauce. While an indulgent treat, the dish can be enjoyed as part of an overall balanced diet. Stop by your nearest Cracker Barrel to taste the famous chicken pot pie for yourself. The made from scratch cooking will have you going back for more.