Stove-top Cheddar Chicken Pie and Healthy Essentials for Summer

On Friday last week, we packed up our bags and headed towards the mountains. I photographed a beautiful and intimate wedding in the hills of Crested Butte while Ryan and Lucy explored that quaint mountain town. The next day we adventured together and stumbled upon this gorgeous mountain lake.

Lulu is just now learning to walk, which means she takes most every occasion to try out her new skills. I tentatively let her take a few steps on our hike…and she did surprisingly well considering the gravel! Children are meant to play outdoors, to take steps, and even falls. I’m learning more and more to let go of control and embrace my daughter’s innate curiosity about her world. That being said, I’m thankful for products that can prevent sunburn and treat any small wounds that she might incur on her adventures. The kind folks at Healthy Essentials sent us a box of all sorts of summer goods–and we made use of them on our trip to the mountains.

We drove home on Saturday afternoon, nearly missing a heavy rain storm. By the time we settled down and unpacked, we were all exhausted and in need of a good warming meal. Immediately I thought: chicken pot pie. But God knows I wasn’t about to turn on my oven for a solid hour. So this stove-top cheddar chicken pie was born…and it’s so very good. The majority of the cooking takes place on your stove-top, with the pastry circles only requiring eight minutes or so in the oven to reach this beautiful golden brown. Creamy, comforting, and made with fresh broccoli (a summer gem!), this cheddar chicken pie is especially good for the warmer months of the year.

And if you have any travel plans on the horizon: HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® Products are essential for summertime – and can help your family stay safe while enjoying outdoor play.

The HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® program is offering amazing printable coupons, tips & tools and so much more for all the products you and your family love. You can save more than $45 by visiting http://www.HealthyEssentials.com in July and signing up for HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® program coupons and offers.

Stove top Cheddar Chicken Pot Pie

2 large heads of broccoli

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons whole wheat flour

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (we prefer Organic Valley’s Raw Cheddar)

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 Rotisserie chicken (light and dark meat shredded)

1 disc basic pie dough (this pie dough works great…just omit the sugar!)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pie dough to a circle 10 inches wide. Using a biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out discs of pie dough. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove to cool.

Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Steam until just slightly tender. Set aside. In a medium skillet, melt butter oven medium heat. Add flour and stir until just begins to brown. Stir in chicken broth and whisk until all clumps have dissolved. Bring to a gentle boil and then turn stove off. A thick gravy should form. Stir in shredded chicken, broccoli florets, and shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and top with baked pie discs. If desired, return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes to warm.

This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.