Although not as famous as the two dozen blackbirds, a single chicken is the more likely thought of filling when it comes to considering what type of savory pie to have for dinner. And while the rest of the northern hemisphere is fascinated with all things pumpkin as soon as the sun passes through the autumnal equinox, my sure Sign of Fall is the return of the pot pie.

Clearly I’m not the only one who thinks this way. I probably was the first to come up with it but like all great ideas, mine was stolen and exploited by others. Yes, you see, even though all other pies may be lumped together celebratorially on March 14, pot pies have their own day on September 23. This year that was the first full day of fall. See?

Of course, chickens aren’t the only animals to find their way between sheets of pie dough. Beef can easily play the role of filling in a pot pie. Lamb fills a particular pot pie, a Shepherd’s Pie. Chopped pork and pork jelly find their way into another traditional savory pie. Fish pies rarely make it to the American side of the Atlantic while crab and cheese filled pies don’t often make it to England’s shore but both have ardent fans. Although pumpkin fills the sweet side of piedom, another favorite fall squash, the butternut, satisfies the meatless savory pie wisher.

With all these options, tonight’s dinner still is going to be a classic chicken pot pie*. I know, I’m almost a whole week late, but last Saturday the temperature was a summery 84° (29°C). Today’s high isn’t getting out of the 60s (or about 17°C). Not quite down to fall standards, but certainly autumnaler.

*Chicken Pot Pie

Preheat oven to 425°F (200°C) and assemble ingredients.

Filling

1 pound chicken breast, diced or cubed
1 8 oz. package frozen peas
1 large carrot, sliced
1/2 cup celery sliced
1/2 medium onion, diced

In frying pan, cook chicken in olive oil until all pink is gone, remove and set aside. Cook onion celery and carrot until softened. Return chicken to pan, cover with water, bring to a boil then reduce to simmer and allow to continue cooking for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside while preparing sauce.

Sauce

1/3 cup butter
1/2 medium onion, diced
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tap celery seed
12 oz. chicken broth
6oz. half-and-half (or milk)

In a medium saucepan, melt butter then add onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and cook until flour is completely combined to make a roux. Slowly stir in chicken broth and half-and-half. Add salt, pepper, and celery seed. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick.

Pie

Chicken filling and sauce
2×9 inch prepared pie crusts

Line pie pan with one pie crust. Fill with chicken filling mixture and pour thickened sauce over filling. Cover with second pie crust, seal edges, and make some small slits in the top.

Bake at 425 °F for 30-35 minutes.

Or, pick up prepared pie at local grocery store usually next to the rotisserie chickens. Not everybody is retired and has all day to play in the kitchen.