Few things can compete with chicken pot pie as a comfort food when the temperatures start to get low, and Trader Joe’s is known for having one of the best frozen chicken pot pies on the market today (and at a fantastic price, too).
Unfortunately, over the last few years, it’s become harder and harder to find Trader Joe’s chicken pot pies.
The supply shortages play a part in these missing pot pies. But smaller egg production seasons leading to fewer chickens available for pot pies, shut down processing plants, and even fires and avian flu have all conspired to keep Trader Joe’s chicken pot pies off of dinner tables across the country.
Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
Chicken Pot Pie Shortage at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s – like pretty much every other grocery store out there today – have been dealing with all different kinds of shortages over the last 2+ years, and this difficulty doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down or stop anytime soon.
When the global economy shut down for COVID 19 a couple of years ago the brakes were slammed on supply chains across the country (and around the world, for that matter).
Fewer people going into work, and that meant fewer chickens were getting processed. That meant fewer chickens were making it into pot pies, and even when those pot pies were being made for Trader Joe’s there were fewer people to transport them on our highways and byways.
Combine that with the fact that even if these pot pies were able to reach a grocery store there were fewer people to stock the shelves and fewer people interested in going out to grocery stores to buy them and it was a real recipe for disaster that we are still reeling from today.
On top of that, there have been a whole host of reasons behind lower egg production across the United States leading to fewer chickens being raised – and that means fewer raw ingredients for these pot pies to be made.
Avian flu strains, the USDA compelling farmers to kill off entire flocks of chickens, and now issues with feed for chickens leading to lower nutrition which causes egg production to drop even further has all helped the potpie issue to really sort of spiral out of control.
Possible Causes of the Shortage
Of course, it’s also important to highlight the fact that the demand for pot pies from Trader Joe’s – and comfort from general – is at an all-time high right now.
People want to be able to grab a quick meal from their freezer, throw it in the oven, and have a hot and delicious dinner on the table for their family without having to go out and braved the cold weather.
This sky high demand for these pot pies means that people are stocking up on them when they come across them, limiting the amount of pot pies other customers at Trader Joe’s can buy for themselves.
It’s a mess!
Alternative Chicken Pot Pie Options
Luckily for you, though, there are some alternative chicken pot pie options you’ll want to consider while Trader Joe’s finds a way to iron out their supply chain kinks and better meet demand for their delicious pot pies.
For starters, you’re going to want to check other grocery stores for these delicious frozen dinners.
Almost all major national chains (and even a lot of the smaller, regional grocery stores) are going to carry popular pot pie brands like:
- Marie Calendar’s
- Banquet
- Swanson
- Boston Market
- Pepperidge Farm
- Birdseye
… And more.
Those pot pies might not taste exactly the way that Trader Joe’s will, but many of them are fantastic (and tasty) alternatives to consider all the same.
You might also want to consider looking for chicken pot pie options online from some of the boutique grocery stores that have been popping up over the last few years.
Goldbelly, Instacart, Peapod, and other online services can help you find chicken pot pies to be delivered to your doorstep with as little headache and hassle as possible.
Don’t forget about going the homemade route, either. It’s tough to beat a homemade chicken pot pie, after all!
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 2 pie crusts
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F
- Melt your butter and then stir in flour, salt, pepper, and onion powder
- Whisk your chicken broth and milk into the mixture
- Allow everything to thicken over medium heat for about five minutes
- Add your chicken and vegetables
- Pour everything into a 9 inch pie dish
- Set your piecrust on top of the dish
- Bake for between 35 to 40 minutes
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then serve
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Trader Joe’s discontinue products?
Trader Joe’s regularly discontinues products that they have a tough time sourcing or that just aren’t selling well with their customer base.
What has Trader Joe’s discontinued recently?
Trader Joe’s has recently discontinued a number of items, including pet food options, ice cream, salsa, oatmeal, vegetarian chili, and more. Some of these discontinuations are temporary and will be rolled back as soon as the products become available again.
At the same time, though, some of these discontinuations are permanent and it’s unlikely that Trader Joe’s customers will ever see them in store again.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s chicken pot pies have an incredible reputation has some of the best comfort food around, and it’s really frustrating to not be able to find them consistently in stock.
Luckily, though, armed with the inside information we highlighted above you’ll be able to navigate the shortages, track down different chicken pot pies in the meantime, or even make your own at home.
You don’t have to go without!
