This freezer-aisle favorite delivers on flavor, convenience and nutrition.
Reviewed by Dietitian Jane Leverich, M.S., RDN
Key Points
- Frozen chicken pot pie can be a convenient, satisfying dinner when time is tight.
- Chefs and nutrition experts chose Blake’s Chicken Pot Pie for its flavor, ingredient balance and nutrition.
- Pair your pot pie with a simple salad, slaw or fresh fruit to round out your meal.
It’s the time of year when cozy, comforting foods sound especially good for dinner. And while you may be dreaming about a meal that tastes like it took hours to make, your busy schedule and seemingly endless to-do list may not leave much time for cooking.
That’s why we turned to professional foodies to find out which convenient staples are worth reaching for in the freezer aisle. Abbie Gellman, M.S., RD, CDN, says, “Frozen meals such as chicken pot pie can be an easy weeknight dinner, helping to get food on the table without much heavy lifting. They often have protein and vegetables, which is a good basis for any meal.”
So, which one tops the list? Blake’s Chicken Pot Piesold at Walmart, was the obvious favorite. Read on to find out why food and nutrition experts chose it over other frozen options and how to pair it with simple sides for a nutritious, satisfying dinner.
Why We Love Blake’s Chicken Pot Pie
It Delivers on Flavor
First and foremost, if a food is worth buying, it needs to deliver on flavor. Amber Pankonin, M.S., RD, LMNT, CEC, agrees, noting that after taste-testing four competing frozen chicken pot pies, Blake’s was her favorite for its flavor, filling and nutrition.
“Blake’s was my favorite in terms of overall taste, but I also like that it has a better ratio of chicken and vegetables to gravy,” she says. “Other brands seem much more gravy heavy.”
And she’s in good company, too. Taylor Wallace, Ph.D., CFS, FACNshares similar sentiments: “Blake’s seemed to have a more pronounced flavor profile than some of the others available, so much so that my son asked for seconds!”
It Has a Good Balance of Ingredients
As Pankonin noted, Blake’s pot pie contains a similar mix of ingredients, with seemingly more chicken and vegetables than other brands. “The other two brands seemed like the filling was mostly gravy,” she explained.
She also noted that the pot pie uses a bâtonnet cut for the carrots, giving them a matchstick-like shape that helps contribute to the overall flavor, texture and balance of ingredients in the dish.
It Offers a Well-Rounded Meal
When it comes to nutrition, Blake’s stood out as a well-rounded option when considering the serving size, nutrition facts and ingredients. Blake’s Chicken Pot Pie comes in an 8-ounce portion, with the Nutrition Facts label based on eating the entire pot pie. For someone looking for a convenient meal, that may be a more realistic serving size than products that list a single pot pie as multiple servings.
One serving of Blake’s Chicken Pot Pie provides 400 calories, 13 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. While it is also relatively high in sodium and saturated fat compared with what you might find in a homemade version, Pankonin notes that it still compares favorably with some other options on the market. When paired thoughtfully with the rest of your meal, she says, it can absolutely have a place in a balanced diet.
It’s Convenient
When it comes to getting a meal on the table quickly, convenience is a major selling point, especially for busy working parents. Wallace agrees, “As a single parent working full time, sometimes getting a dinner on the table I know my son will actually eat is challenging when we’re returning home late. Options like Blake’s help me fill in the gaps when schedules have gone awry and I need something I know he’ll love … and fast.”
Pankonin also found the package instructions straightforward, though she recommends giving the pot pie a few extra minutes in the oven. “It was recommended to bake for 40 minutes but probably could have gone 3 to 5 minutes more, which would help the crust brown a bit more,” she says. “But overall, the crust had good flavor.”
Ways to Enjoy Blake’s Frozen Chicken Pot Pie
Given that Blake’s 8-ounce pot pie is a rather filling meal on its own, containing protein, carbohydrates and fat, Pankonin suggests keeping the pairings pretty simple. “Consider options that add some freshness, color and texture while helping round out the meal without adding another heavy component.” Consider these easy side dishes alongside your chicken pot pie:
- Add a green salad. Pick your favorite leafy green and elevate it with a light citrus vinaigrette. Kale, spinach and arugula all work wonderfully and can balance out the richness from the pot pie.
- Make a simple slaw. Cabbage is an easy way to add some crunch and freshness to your plate. Pick up a bag of pre-shredded cabbage and bring it to life with a sesame dressing.
- Serve some fresh fruit. Whether you make a fruit salad or opt for a single piece of fruit, adding something fresh and naturally sweet is an easy way to round out your meal without much extra prep.
Other Tips for Choosing Frozen Entrees
Not all frozen entrees are created equally. Research suggests that some frozen meals may contain more calories, sodium and fat than comparable meals prepared at home. But that doesn’t mean you need to skip the freezer aisle. Gellman recommends keeping these tips in mind when choosing frozen entrees at your local market.
- Prioritize protein and fiber. Gellman recommends looking for at least 15 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving to help support satiety and satisfaction.
- Keep saturated fat and sodium in mind. Consistent with recommendations, look for options lower in saturated fat and sodium. Gellman recommends looking for items with saturated fat at less than 7 grams per serving, and sodium at no more than 750 milligrams per serving.
- Check the added sugars. Added sugars are another nutrient worth keeping an eye on. Look for options prepared with herbs and spices rather than sugary sauces to help keep added sugars in check.
Our Expert Take
Frozen entrees, like chicken pot pie, can help get a satisfying meal on the table when time is tight. While preparing meals at home is a great way to have more control over ingredients and nutrition, culinary nutrition experts also recognize that a busy week doesn’t always leave much time for cooking. That’s where convenient options like Blake’s Chicken Pot Pie can come in handy, offering a flavorful dinner with minimal prep.