Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe (2024)

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This Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe is a delicious twist on traditional Shepherd's Pie. It comes together quickly and easily and is an awesome way to use leftover chicken or turkey!

Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe (1)

Try some other great recipes for using leftover chicken or turkey like Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, Buffalo Chicken Sliders, Copycat Panera Bread Chicken Salad.

Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe

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Meet your new favorite leftover meal: Chicken Shepherd's Pie. I love traditional Shepherd's Pie as much as the next person, in fact, some of the best Shepherd's Pie I've had has been the classic variety that you can find at all the good Irish pubs. But sometimes it's a good idea to add your own twist, especially when it allows you to repurpose leftovers.

Which is actually what inspired me to make this recipe. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I was in search of a good way to use leftover turkey, and this particular recipe provides the added bonus of using leftover mashed potatoes if you have them. It's quick, easy and totally comforting!

Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe (2)

Tips for making Shepherd's Pie

  • To keep things simple, I like to use frozen mixed veggies. You could also use leftover cooked veggies of your choice, just add them at the last minute before covering with potatoes and baking.
  • If you have leftover mashed potatoes, this is the perfect recipe to use them. I like to heat them up in a medium pan and depending on their texture, you can add a little milk to make them creamier (start slow- you can always add more).
  • This recipe makes a smaller pan, around 8x8 or 9x9. If you need more you can always double the recipe for a 9x13 pan.

Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe (3)

Can you make shepherd's pie ahead?

I'd say assemble it and then bake it later. Just adjust your baking time so that it gets fully heated through.

What if I don’t cook with alcohol?

No problem, just replace the wine with additional chicken broth.

What goes with shepherd's pie?

The thing I love most about this easy shepherd's pie recipe is that it's already got everything you need in it to make it a well-rounded meal on it's own. That said, a green salad and some crusty bread would always go well with this!

How long does shepherd’s pie last?

Depending on how old the leftovers are, 2-3 days covered in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze shepherd's pie?

Yes, but I'd bake it through first.

Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe (4)

Ingredients for making this easy Shepherd's Pie:

  • Butter
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Flour
  • Frozen mixed vegetables
  • Cooked chicken or turkey
  • Chicken broth
  • White wine
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • Poultry seasoning
  • Mashed potatoes

Ingredients to prep ahead:

  • Dice onion
  • Peel garlic
  • Cook and shred chicken (or shred a rotisserie chicken)
  • Make mashed potatoes

Helpful tools:

  1. Large saute pan
  2. Wooden spoon
  3. Chef's knife
  4. Cutting board
  5. Measuring cups
  6. Measuring spoons
  7. 8" x 8" baking pan

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Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe (5)

Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Jessy Freimann

This Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe is a delicious twist on traditional Shepherd's Pie. It comes together quickly and easily and is an awesome way to use leftover chicken or turkey!

5 from 32 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main, Main Course, Main dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup finely diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
  • 1 14 ounce can chicken broth
  • ½ cup white wine (or broth)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper,
  • ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 3 cups mashed potatoes
  • ¼ cup milk (optional- this is to mix in with the potatoes while reheating them and should only be used if you want to make them creamier. Add it in slowly, a tablespoon at a time).

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  • Melt butter in a large saute pan over medium high heat.

  • Add onion and saute stirring often to soften, about 3 minutes.

  • Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

  • Add flour and stir until no lumps remain. Cook for another minute.

  • Add frozen vegetables and chicken and mix well.

  • Stir in broth, wine, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning until well combined.

  • Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.

  • While the chicken mixture boils, reheat heat potatoes in an medium pan until creamy and heated through (you can add a little milk to make them creamier if you want).

  • Pour the chicken mixture into an 8" x 8" baking pan. Carefully spread the potatoes in an even layer on top of the chicken mixture and smooth the top as best you can.

  • Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and serve.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you tried this recipe please comment and rate it 🙂 I love hearing your feedback and answering your questions!And if you make this please tag me on Instagram with @thelifejolie so I can share it <3

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« Leftover Chicken Wild Rice Soup (Great for Turkey Leftovers too!)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hayley says

    My family loved this! I didn’t have enough broth on hand so I added some cream of chicken soup. I also doctored up my mashed potatoes with cream cheese and garlic. The end result was delicious! Thank you for a yummy recipe!

    Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      I'm so glad you loved it Hayley- it sounds like you made some seriously delicious changes!

      Reply

    • Karen says

      Good idea about the cream of chicken soup. I added it to the shopping list after I read your comment.

      Reply

    • Sue says

      I was pleasantly surprised with this recipe. Used leftover rotisserie chicken, used 2 t.poultry seasoning. Followed the rest of recipe. My guys loved it.

      Reply

  2. Denise says

    Will definitely make again, delicious. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      So glad you liked it!

      Reply

    • Lynda says

      I live in Ghana, Africa and there is no cream of chicken soup so I followed the recipe as given - except I added a spoonful of BBQ sauce that gave it a nice smoky taste! Yummy!

      Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      It's so awesome that you're cooking- I wish I had done more cooking at 15! So glad you guys enjoyed it!

      Reply

  3. Crystal says

    Tastes great! I had leftover roast chicken and really wanted pot pie but no time for it. This recipe is so easy to follow and was perfect for what I wanted.

    Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      I'm so glad to hear it Crystal- thank you!

      Reply

  4. Sharon says

    I made this for the first time 2 weeks ago and my daughter (who is 30 and doesn't normally like such things) demanded I make it again tonight! A definite hit, she even takes the leftovers to work for lunch! So I'm making it again lol. Thank you so much for the recipe idea!

    Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      Thanks so much for sharing Sharon! As the wife of an extremely picky eater, it always means so much to me to hear about when someone likes a recipe of mine that they wouldn't normally be into!

      Reply

  5. Kathy says

    I made this with leftover chicken and dumplings. I used frozen mixed vegetables, instant mashed potatoes sprinkled with dried parsley flakes. Baked uncovered 30 mins on 350° turned out great!

    Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      Such a smart way to enjoy leftovers Kathy- so glad you liked it!

      Reply

  6. Amanda says

    Would mashed sweet potatoes work in place if mashed potatoes?

    Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      I think they've a delicious substitute!

      Reply

  7. Jennifer says

    We enjoyed this recipe. I had a Costco roast chicken to use up & this recipe was perfect. I cut it in 1/2 since I didn’t want leftovers. I didn’t have the frozen veggies so I used fresh diced carrots, frozen corn & 1/2 can green beans. It worked perfect. We like poultry seating so I doubled it. I took the suggestion of another commenter who added garlic & cream cheese to the mashed potatoes & it was delicious.

    Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      Yummmm- I'm so glad you loved it and love hearing about the changes you made <3

      Reply

  8. Darryl says

    Very good! Loved it! Easy to make & cooked perfectly! Will definitely make again!

    Reply

  9. Helen says

    I added curry powder instead of poultry seasoning and some cilantro and wow, what deliciousness!

    Reply

  10. Shira Rabinowitz says

    I just put mine in the oven and it smells so good! Super fast easy simple and I basically threw all my frozen veggies in there. Can't wait to taste it!

    Reply

  11. Julie says

    This was just as delicious as we thought it would be! Will definitely be making it again. Now I'm excited for leftover turkey, which I usually run out of ideas for!

    Reply

  12. Connie and Jon says

    Love this so much!! Really delicious. Hard to believe it tastes this good from such a simple recipe.Thank You!!

    Reply

  13. Jeannette Shields says

    Thank you for this delicious recipe. I used gluten free chicken stock and gluten free flour. I’m using leftover chicken breasts (shredded) because I’m making this in May. I will be sure to make it many times because I like poultry a lot. Thank you for the option to reduce the size. I’m the only one eating here, so I reduced it to three so I can eat it tomorrow and the next day. Thank you again. I hope you have a lot more recipes.

    Reply

  14. Mary says

    This has to be one of the most delicious and easy recipes I have ever made. It is a firm favourite and I make it often. Thank you

    Reply

    • Jessy Freimann says

      Thanks for sharing <3

      Reply

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Leftover Chicken Shepherd's Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is shepherd's pie made from leftovers? ›

Easy Shepherds Pie is a delicious way to use up your leftovers or "hold overs" for a simple weeknight meal. It's also comfort food and a great way to add lots of vegetables to your meal all in one dish. Easy Shepherds Pie is perfect for a weeknight meal or right after a holiday because you can make it with leftovers!

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

A good shepherd's – or indeed cottage – pie, needs a solid, but fluffy top: too much milk or butter, and you'll end up with a sloppy puree instead. Make sure you steam the potatoes dry before mashing, and season generously; I like Bareham and Hopkinson's nutmeg as well as the usual salt and pepper.

What is Cumberland pie made of? ›

This crisp, potato-topped beef and vegetable pie is slow-cooked and inexpensive to make. It's a great family meal but smart enough for entertaining too.

What can I use to thicken my shepherd's pie? ›

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

Does shepherd's pie have gravy in it? ›

This Easy Shepherd's Pie recipe is made with ground beef, brown gravy, and frozen vegetables in less than 30 minutes on the stove top. Broil in the oven for just 5 minutes and dinner is served! Make it with my homemade mashed potato recipe, or use up leftover mashed potatoes!

Why is flour used in shepherds pie? ›

This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

Should I cover shepherd's pie when reheating? ›

Tips for Reheating Shepherd's Pie

Cover the pie with foil or a lid to keep the top from drying out. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist during reheating. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.

How do you keep mash from sinking in shepherds pie? ›

To stop the mash sinking into the filling, allow the meat to cool before topping with the mashed potato. Freeze in individual ovenproof dishes for an easy meal for one.

Why is my shepherd's pie greasy? ›

After cooking the beef, onion, and herbs, be sure to drain the grease out of the pan. Otherwise, you will find yourself with a greasy shepherd's pie. Stir well. Especially when adding the flour and tomato paste.

What is Elvis Presley pie? ›

Chef Paula Haney shares with Duff the bakery's recipe for the Fat Elvis Pie, which was inspired by Elvis Presley's love of peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches. The pie includes chocolate pastry cream, peanut butter filling and slices of banana in a crust made of graham cracker crumbs, dry roasted peanuts and pretzels.

What is funeral pie made of? ›

Vintage Funeral Pie Recipe is an old-fashioned dessert that is made from raisins, spices, and walnuts. It was traditionally made by the Amish, but this sugary pie fits right into a Southern cook's recipe box.

What is Kentucky pie made of? ›

Beat corn syrup, white sugar, and eggs together in a bowl using an electric mixer on low speed until well blended; stir in chocolate chips, pecans, butter, bourbon, and vanilla extract. Pour mixture into the prepared pie crust. Bake in the preheated oven until set, 45 to 50 minutes.

Is Shepherd's Pie good for you? ›

This ultimate comfort food can be quite unhealthy, with lots of butter in the mash and pushing up your saturated fat intake. Here are a few ideas to make this classic a little healthier and just as tasty.

What is traditional shepherd's pie made of? ›

Classic Shepherd's Pie is a comforting casserole that consists of ground lamb, carrots, and peas simmered with Guinness, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs and topped with a cheesy mashed potato layer that's baked until golden and crisp.

Why is it called shepherds pie? ›

Shepherd's pie was attributed to a similar Scottish dish that used lamb or mutton rather than beef. Shepherd's herded sheep, hence the name. The textured, mash potato topping also resembles the woolly fleece of a sheep.

How is shepherd's pie originally made? ›

And, by doing so, the humble shepherd's pie was born. Originally, the dish contained a pastry shell at the bottom, top, or both. Over time, this morphed into potato slices at the bottom and top of savory minced lamb meat, until it eventually became a topping of mashed potatoes.

What is shepherd's pie normally made of? ›

It's traditionally made with minced meat (usually ground lamb), gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. You may also hear it called "cottage pie." The two terms are used interchangeably, but technically traditional shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb and traditional cottage pie is made with ground beef.

Where is shepherds pie made from? ›

shepherd's pie, dish of British Isles origin that makes use of vegetables and chopped meat cooked in a casserole topped with or surrounded by mashed potatoes.

Can you eat shepherds pie the next day? ›

Shepherd's pie can typically last in the fridge for about 3-5 days if stored properly in an airtight container. Make sure to let it cool down before refrigerating it, and always ensure that it's reheated thoroughly before consuming it again.

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