Ingredients

  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 egg yolks
  • ½ cup half-and-half
  • ¾ cup fresh or frozen peas
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 Panera Bread French Croissants, cut into 1-inch cubes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Bring broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Add chicken and poach at a gentle simmer until no longer pink in the center (160ºF internal temperature), about 12 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate and let sit for 5 minutes. Cut into bite-size cubes. Reserve chicken and stock separately.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large deep sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and salt, and cook until vegetables soften, about 6 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted. Stir in flour until vegetables are coated with a thick paste. Cook for 2 minutes, scraping pan bottom often. Slowly pour in stock, stirring until mixture thickens, 2 minutes. Stir in the thyme and pepper.

3. Whisk together egg yolks and half-and-half in small bowl. Whisk 1/4 cup of hot filling mixture into the eggs; then whisk the egg mixture back into the filling. Cook over low heat for 1 minute. Fold in the chicken, peas, and parsley.

4. Transfer filling to a 13-inch-by-9-inch baking dish. Top with croissant cubes, filling holes with pieces of croissant to make a solid layer of croissant. Bake until croissants are nicely browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.


TIP: For extra-rich potpie, line the bottom of the baking dish with an additional four Panera croissants, split in half through the side and arranged in the dish cut-side up

Nutritional info

Nutrition (per serving): 404 calories, 22 g protein, 27 g carbohydrate, 23 g fat, 153 mg cholesterol, 383 mg sodium, 3 g dietary fiber