Kirkland chicken pot pies from Costco are a delicious and convenient dinner option. However, to ensure food safety and optimal texture and flavor, it’s important to follow the cooking instructions properly. Here’s a quick guide to how long you should cook a Kirkland chicken pot pie.
Oven Baking Instructions
The oven baking instructions for Kirkland chicken pot pies are as follows:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Remove pie from plastic sleeve and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
So the total oven bake time is 50-55 minutes at 400°F. This allows the flaky, golden crust to cook through fully and the chicken and veggie filling to become piping hot and cooked through.
Microwave Cooking Times
For a quicker cooking time, Kirkland chicken pot pies can also be microwaved. However, the texture and flavor are best when oven baked. Here are the microwave instructions:
- Remove plastic sleeve and microwave on high for 4-5 minutes until hot.
- Let stand 2 minutes before serving.
So the total microwave cooking time is 4-5 minutes, plus 2 minutes standing. This heats up the filling but can make the crust soggy.
Food Safety Tips
To safely cook a chicken pot pie and prevent foodborne illness, follow these tips:
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure safety.
- If microwaving, stir halfway through and check internal temp with a food thermometer before serving.
- Don’t eat pot pie cold or partially cooked.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat thoroughly to 165°F.
Factors that Affect Cooking Time
There are a few factors that can slightly affect the cooking time for Kirkland chicken pot pies:
- Oven temperature: A hotter oven may cook the pie a few minutes faster. Always check at the minimum baking time.
- Pie temperature: A pie freshly removed from the freezer may take 5-10 minutes longer to bake through.
- Oven type: Convection ovens may cook slightly faster than standard ovens.
- Pie position: Pies placed on a higher oven rack may cook faster than lower rack.
How to Tell When Pie is Done
Here are some signs your Kirkland chicken pot pie is fully cooked:
- Golden brown, flaky crust
- Bubbling filling
- Internal temperature reads 165°F
- Chicken is cooked through and tender
- Vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
For food safety, properly store and reheat leftover chicken pot pies:
- Storing: Refrigerate within 2 hours, store for 3-4 days. Freeze for 2-3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat refrigerated pie to 165°F or until hot. Reheat frozen pie by oven-baking from frozen state.
Conclusion
Kirkland chicken pot pies require 50-55 minutes of baking at 400°F in the oven for the best quality result. Microwaving takes just 4-5 minutes but the crust won’t be as crispy. Be sure to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Follow proper food safety guidelines for storing and reheating leftovers. With the right baking time and temperature, Kirkland pot pies make a delicious hot meal the whole family will enjoy.