Will These Trader Joe’s Handheld Pot Pies Save Dinner? Let’s Investigate.

If you’re anything like me, you know that Trader Joe’s Chicken Pot Pie is one of life’s greatest cold-weather comfort foods. But let’s be real—sometimes, I just don’t have the patience to sit down with a fork and knife like a civilized human. That’s why I was ridiculously excited when I spotted Trader Joe’s Handheld Chicken Pot Pies in the frozen aisle. A flaky, puff pastry-wrapped version of a classic meal, ready to be eaten one-handed? Say no more. But does this deconstructed comfort food actually deliver on flavor, texture, and satisfaction? Well, mostly.

Crispy, Golden Brown, and Shockingly Easy to Make

Let’s start with the good, the crust. If you cook these correctly (meaning: do not microwave them unless you want a soggy, disappointing mess), the puff pastry comes out beautifully crispy, flaky, and golden brown. I made mine in the air fryer, and in about 15 minutes, I had a perfectly crispy, buttery little masterpiece. If you don’t have an air fryer, the oven is also a great option—just don’t rush it, because this pastry deserves patience.

Inside, the filling is creamy, well-seasoned, and packed with classic pot pie flavors. There’s a nice balance of spices, and you can definitely taste the salt, pepper, and herbs that give it that cozy, home-cooked feel. The gravy is rich and just thick enough to cling to the chicken meat and vegetables without turning into a soupy mess. But their ain’t much in these pies.

Flavor? Yes. Filling? Ehhh…

While I absolutely loved the crispy puff pastry and the well-seasoned filling, there’s one major issue, where is all the stuff? When I think of a pot pie, I expect chunks of chicken meat, potatoes, carrots, and peas swimming in creamy goodness. What I got was a tasty but slightly underwhelming amount of actual substance. There are vegetables in here, but they’re not exactly generous with them.

As for the chicken, it’s definitely flavorful, but I wish there was more of it. There are some tender bits of meat, which I appreciated for the depth of flavor, but overall, I was left playing a game of “find the protein” in a sea of puff pastry. Maybe Trader Joe’s thought we’d be okay with just chicken-flavored filling instead of actual substantial chicken meat? Not cool, Joe. Not cool.

A Budget-Friendly, No-Fuss Meal for Busy People

Despite the lack of potatoes, chunks of chicken, and heaps of vegetables, these little pies are still a great option for a quick meal. At just $4.49 for two, they’re super affordable, and let’s be honest, when you’re a busy mom, sometimes you just need something fast, tasty, and comforting that doesn’t involve an entire sink full of dishes. These pies deliver on that front.

The absolute best way to cook Trader Joe’s Handheld Chicken Pot Pies is in the air fryer—trust me on this one. Set it to 350°F and let these little beauties crisp up for 15 minutes. What you’ll get is a perfectly golden brown, flaky puff pastry crust that shatters delicately with each bite, giving you that satisfying crunch you want in a pot pie. If you don’t have an air fryer, the oven is your next best bet—just follow the package instructions and be patient, because good pastry takes time.

If you cook them properly (again, I cannot stress this enough, do not microwave these unless you want disappointment for dinner), you’ll get a wonderfully golden brown, flaky, handheld pot pie that actually feels like a meal. Add a little side salad or maybe even sprinkle some cheese on top (because let’s be honest, cheese makes everything better), and you’ve got yourself a solid dinner.

Final Thoughts: A Solid 8/10

Would I buy these again? Absolutely. But get them while you can, they are listed as a “Limited” item which means will be gone shortly. They’re crispy, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to make. The puff pastry is perfect, the spices are on point, and you can’t beat the price. Would I beg Trader Joe’s to be a little more generous with the vegetables, chicken meat, and potatoes? Also yes.

If you’re looking for a quick, cozy meal that won’t break the bank, these handheld chicken pot pies are a great choice—just don’t microwave them unless you enjoy sadness.

Ingredients

CRUST (UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], PALM SHORTENING, WATER, BEEF SUET, SUGAR, SALT), FILLING (WATER, BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN THIGH, BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT, DICED POTATO, DICED ONION, DICED CELERY, NONFAT DRY MILK, PALM SHORTENING, UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACIDI, PEAS, DICED CARROTS, CHICKEN BASE [ROASTED CHICKEN, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVORS, TURMERIC (COLOR}], DEHYDRATED GARLIC, SALT, THYME, WHITE PEPPER).

CONTAINS MILK, WHEAT.