Miss Cecilia's Chicken Pot Pie

If you don't want to use pie pastry, substitute canned or drop biscuits for the top crust. Add peas or diced carrots for color, if you wish. From the Southern chapter of the United States Regional Cookbook, Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago, 1947. Baking time is approximate.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 (3 lb)  whole chickens, cut into serving pieces
• 1  pastry for double-crust pie (storebought or your own recipe)
•  salt and pepper, to taste
• 2  cups milk
• 1⁄2 cup  chicken stock
• 1⁄4 cup butter

Directions

1. Dress and cut chickens into serving pieces.
2. Place in a stewpan and barely cover with boiling water; simmer until tender.
3. Prepare pastry, using a little less shortening than called for in recipe. Divide dough into two parts.
4. Roll out one piece very thin and line sides of 2 quart baking dish with part of it and cut remainder into strips.
5. Arrange a layer of chicken in dish; season with salt and pepper. Cover with pastry strips and continue until all the chicken and strips are used.
6. Add milk and about 1/4 cup of stock in which the chickenwas cooked.
7. Roll out the second piece of dough; dot with butter, fold and roll again until butter is blended into dough.
8. Roll out thinly; make small gashes in it to allow steam to escape and cover top of pie.
9. Press edges together and bake in a preheated 400F oven until crust is well browned.
10. Variation: Omit pastry and butter. Arrange chicken in baking dish; add seasoning, milk and stock. Place drop biscuits on top and bake as directed.