Chicken pot pie: it’s the ultimate comfort food—creamy, hearty, and wrapped in a flaky golden crust. Yet when it comes to chain restaurants, the results can vary wildly. Some serve up rich, soul-warming goodness, while others fall short with bland sauces, soggy crusts, or uninspired shortcuts. Based on our taste tests and a mix of expert and customer reviews, we’ve rounded up the most memorable winners—and the biggest disappointments. From flaky favorites to flavorless flops, here are 6 chain restaurant chicken pot pies that warm the heart—and 5 that completely miss the mark. Your comfort food compass starts here.
1. HIT: KFC
KFC’s chicken pot pie is a fast-food twist on a classic comfort food. Instead of roasted chicken, it features chunks of their signature fried chicken, surrounded by carrots, peas, and potatoes in a thick, savory gravy. The top crust is baked to golden perfection, but the pie lacks a bottom crust, which may disappoint traditionalists. That said, fans enjoy the rich, salty flavor and nostalgic appeal. It’s not refined or subtle—it’s bold, greasy, and undeniably satisfying when you’re in the mood for fast food comfort. A solid option for a quick fix, though not for everyone.
2. MISS: Gregg’s Restaurants and Taverns
Salt-heavy and soupy, Gregg’s version of the classic chicken pot pie leaves much to be desired. Although it’s a popular local chain, this particular dish has been criticized for its lack of balance and execution. The crust often turns out gummy rather than crisp, struggling to support the overly liquid interior. While the portion size may be generous, the flavors are muddled, and the overall experience feels more cafeteria than comforting. For diners expecting a cozy, flavor-forward pot pie, this one misses the mark. Sadly, it’s more of a disappointment than a dish worth returning for.
3. HIT: Mimi’s
Delicate flavors and a refined presentation make Mimi’s chicken pot pie stand out in the casual dining world. Though it doesn’t often grab headlines, fans of this dish love its tender, buttery crust and smooth, savory filling. The creamy sauce is subtle and not overly rich, complementing the vegetables and chunks of chicken rather than overpowering them. It’s not a behemoth like other chain pies, but that’s part of its charm—it feels balanced and thoughtfully portioned. If you’re in the mood for a cozy, café-style take on a classic comfort dish, Mimi’s pot pie is a quiet winner.
4. MISS: Boston Market
Despite being known for rotisserie chicken, Boston Market’s chicken pot pie struggles to stand out. It’s packed with meat and vegetables, but the creamy sauce lacks depth, often described as bland or milk-like in flavor. The crust, though flaky on top, doesn’t always hold up well against the watery filling. Many customers feel the dish promises more than it delivers—expecting homemade warmth but receiving something more akin to frozen fare. While convenient, it fails to hit the rich, satisfying notes that define a great pot pie. Ultimately, it’s a swing and a miss from a brand that should know better.
5. HIT: Lazy Dog
Hearty, rustic, and unmistakably satisfying—Lazy Dog’s chicken pot pie is the real deal. Their version uses garlic-roasted chicken and slow-cooked vegetables like carrots, peas, and mushrooms, all coated in a creamy herb-laced sauce. It’s baked inside a thick, buttery crust that’s flaky without falling apart. Unlike many chain versions, this one feels carefully assembled rather than mass-produced. Diners love its oversized portion and bold, savory profile. It’s the kind of meal that turns a regular dinner into a sit-back-and-savor experience. If you’re looking for scratch-made flavor in a cozy setting, this pot pie delivers every time.
6. MISS: Metro Diner
What could have been a warm, flaky comfort dish ends up tasting oddly artificial at Metro Diner. Their biscuit-topped chicken pot pie has been called out for resembling a mix of canned soup and instant pancake batter. While the concept sounds homey, the execution feels rushed and overly processed. The biscuit often arrives doughy or undercooked, and the filling lacks texture and flavor depth. It’s a dish that tries to be rustic but lands far off the mark. For those seeking a classic pot pie experience, this version is likely to disappoint more than it delights.
7. HIT: Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar
Claim Jumper doesn’t hold back when it comes to portion size—and their chicken pot pie is no exception. This massive, golden-crusted pie is stuffed with creamy herb sauce, plump chicken chunks, and a generous mix of vegetables. It’s been a staple since 1977, and for good reason: it’s reliable, indulgent, and rich in flavor. The crust is always buttery and thick enough to stand up to the sauce without becoming soggy. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or just really hungry, this pot pie delivers on both comfort and value. It’s an enduring classic that still earns loyal fans.
8. MISS: Jason’s Deli
Jason’s Deli offers a chicken pot pie soup rather than the traditional pie format, and that’s part of the problem. Served in a bowl with a square of puff pastry on top, it misses the mark for fans of the real deal. The soup is overloaded with peas and potatoes, and chicken pieces are minimal at best. While the sauce is creamy, it feels more like a vegetable chowder than a true pot pie. Texture and presentation both fall flat, making it feel more like a shortcut than a signature dish. It’s a clever idea with lackluster results.
9. HIT: Cracker Barrel
Classic comfort is the name of the game at Cracker Barrel, and their take on chicken pot pie sticks to tradition. It’s filled with slow-simmered chicken, diced carrots, celery, and peas in a creamy, seasoned sauce and topped with a crisp puff pastry. While not the flashiest on the list, it has a home-cooked charm that resonates with fans of Southern fare. Some reviewers note inconsistencies in execution, especially with crust-to-filling ratio, but when done right, it’s a solid representation of old-school pot pie goodness. Think cozy fireside meal rather than culinary reinvention—simple, nostalgic, and soothing.
10. MISS: Potbelly
Soup masquerading as pie is what you’ll find at Potbelly. Their “chicken pot pie soup” features creamy broth and crumbled pie crust on top, but lacks the structure and flavor complexity of an actual pot pie. The texture is uniformly thick, with little variation or contrast, and the flavor is disappointingly one-note. It may satisfy a craving for warm soup on a cold day, but those hoping for a true pot pie experience will leave underwhelmed. It’s creative in theory but uninspired in execution—a dish that sounds better on the menu than it tastes in reality.
11. HIT: Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Few chain restaurants come close to Cheddar’s when it comes to homemade flavor. Their chicken pot pie is crafted from scratch daily, featuring roasted chicken, vibrant peas and carrots, and a creamy sauce nestled beneath a golden, flaky crust. What sets it apart is the balance—rich without being heavy, buttery without being greasy, and portioned generously. The crust is consistently praised for being crisp and well-baked, never soggy. Each bite feels like it came from a family kitchen rather than a national chain, making it a standout choice for anyone chasing true comfort food nostalgia.
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