This feature was produced by Campbell's, and does not reflect the opinions or point of view of Vox Media or VoxCreative. Vox Media editorial staff was not involved in the creation or production of thiscontent.
Great eating means great recipes. Together with Campbell's Sauces, we present "The Source," where we look back at the origins of some classic preparations, from around the country and around the world.
Chicken pot pie is an all-American comfort food. But the most iconic version of it — from Lancaster, in Pennsylvania Dutch country — has its roots in English dishes made from leftovers. The Pennsylvania Dutch added noodles, and the rest of the country made it a standby. In this episode of the "The Source," we head to the Keystone State in search of chicken pot pie.
Plus, here are five things you didn't know about chicken pot pie.
Pot pie might have originated in Pennsylvania Dutch country — but the Dutch have nothing to do with it. The Pennsylvania Dutch are descendants of German and Swiss immigrants, both Lutheran and Anabaptist (like the Amish), who settled in southeast Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries and often speak Deitsch, a dialect of German. There, pot pie may also be known as "bott boi" in Deitsch. Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is the only area to make this style of brothy pot pie with square noodles, also called "slippery pot pie." The nickname differentiates the Pennsylvania Dutch style from the thick-crusted pastry style served across America.
The recipe for chicken pot pie originated in England, but what makes Pennsylvania Dutch country pot pie so different from others is the noodles. Bott boi noodles are square egg noodles that came from German and British traditional cooking styles. Chicken pot pie began as a recipe used to stretch the week’s leftover meat, and adding thick square noodles to the mix of broth, potatoes, vegetables, and chicken.
Betty Groff popularized the chicken pot pie recipe — and put Lancaster county as a food destination on the map — earning praise from James Beard and New York Times food critic Craig Claiborne, among others. She once was quoted by the local newspaper that chicken pot pie is "as important to us as chili is to a Texan or corned beef and cabbage is to an Irishman." The restaurant she ran with her husband, Groff’s Farm Restaurant, attracted hungry diners from across the country to try Lancaster home cooking. The restaurant was open for business for more than 40 years. Groff died in November of 2015.
In Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie recipes, you may find one surprising ingredient — saffron. How did such an expensive ingredient (outweighing the price of gold per ounce, in some instances) end up in such a humble dish? German immigrants who settled in the area brought saffron bulbs with them and planted them in their gardens. Those bulbs grow into crocuses that produce only three stamens that must be handpicked, then dried to produce the spice. Even though saffron production is mostly limited to Spain and Iran now, there is still a small number of Pennsylvania Dutch growing it in the "Saffron Belt."
There are debates over the authenticity of other purported Pennsylvania Dutch dishes. Many associate whoopie pies with Lancaster, but the state of Maine claims that the first-ever whoopie pie was made in Lewiston, Maine. Everyone agrees, though, that the noodle-based chicken pot pie is a Lancaster original.
This feature was produced by Campbell's, and does not reflect the opinions or point of view of Vox Media or VoxCreative. Vox Media editorial staff was not involved in the creation or production of thiscontent.
FAQs
The recipe for chicken pot pie originated in England, but what makes Pennsylvania Dutch country pot pie so different from others is the noodles. Bott boi noodles are square egg noodles that came from German and British traditional cooking styles.
Where was chicken pot pie originated? ›
The recipe for chicken pot pie originated in England, but what makes Pennsylvania Dutch country pot pie so different from others is the noodles. Bott boi noodles are square egg noodles that came from German and British traditional cooking styles.
What is the history of Moravian chicken pie? ›
Moravian pies were sold as part of church fundraisers as early as 1920. Homemade Moravian chicken pies are a perennial staple of local church fundraisers, so much so that pastors are known to estimate the cost of various church projects by the number of chicken pies that must be sold to fund the project.
Who makes Swanson chicken pot pie? ›
Chicken Pot Pie | Conagra Brands Canada.
What is a pot pie classified as? ›
A pot pie, in US and Canadian dialects, is a type of meat pie with a top pie crust that is commonly used throughout the continent, consisting of flaky pastry.
Is chicken pot pie a southern food in America? ›
When it comes to soul-satisfying food, chicken pot pie is at the top of most Southerners' lists. Warm and wholesome, this dish is perfect for all those hospitable Southern moments: church dinners, potlucks, new neighbor welcomes, or just for warming up when that first chill of fall hits the air.
Where did pie originally come from? ›
From Egypt to Rome via Greece
The Ancient Egyptians were the first to invent a dish close to what we know as a pie today. They had a honey filling covered in a crusty cake made from oats, wheat, rye or barley. A recipe for chicken pie was also discovered on a tablet carved prior to 2000 BC.
What pie was invented in Pennsylvania to celebrate the US Centennial? ›
Shoo-fly pie began as a crust-less molasses cake called centennial cake in 1876, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
What is the oldest pie in the world? ›
Historians trace the origin of pie to the Egyptians back in 9500 BCE. In Egypt, the first pies were made with ground grains like barley, wheat, or oats combined with water. This “dough” was shaped into an oval and filled with savory ingredients like nuts, honey, and meat.
What pie is North Carolina known for? ›
Bill Smith's Atlantic Beach Pie first broke onto the culinary scene in 2011 to wide acclaim. With a Saltine cracker crust and whipped cream topping, this North Carolina original boasts a lemon-lime filling.
Traditional chicken pot pies have a reputation for being rich in calories, saturated fats, and sodium, making them a questionable choice for those seeking a balanced diet.
What happened to Swanson pot pies? ›
Pinnacle continued to produce frozen meals, but it discontinued the use of the Swanson name in favor of the Hungry-Man brand; however, it remained in use for pot pies.
Is Swanson a Chinese company? ›
Swanson Health Products (SHP) is a natural health catalog and Internet marketing company headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota.
Where was chicken pot pie invented? ›
Chicken pot pie is an all-American comfort food. The most iconic version of it originated in Lancaster, in Pennsylvania Dutch country, but was brought to the United States by European settlers and had its roots in English dishes made from leftovers.
What is a fancy name for pot pie? ›
pot pie (noun as in casserole) Strong matches. goulash hash pottage stew. Weak matches. covered dish meat pie stroganoff.
What does chicken pot pie mean in English? ›
noun. a deep-dish pie containing meat, chicken, or the like, often combined with vegetables and topped with a pastry crust. a stew, as of chicken or veal, with dumplings, biscuits, or the like.
What does bot boi mean in German? ›
The name evolved from a dish called “Bott Boi” which is a dish made with a broth made from meat, in this case chicken. The broth is thickened with potatoes, other vegetables and dumplings or noodles.
What is a pot pie in England? ›
Meaning of pot pie in English
a deep dish filled with vegetables and usually meat, covered with pastry and baked: Chicken pot pie has always been my favourite comfort dish. Brush the top of each potpie with egg wash.
Where did Louisiana meat pies originate? ›
Natchitoches is the official Meat Pie Capital of Louisiana. Like so many Louisiana dishes the meat pie is a blend of various cultures. The recipe has evolved over the last 300+ years. Introduced in Louisiana in the 1700's by Native Americans and later improved (spiced up) by the Spanish.
