Introduction:
Indulge in the cozy goodness of Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits, a comforting dish that brings together tender chicken, savory vegetables, and a rich creamy sauce, all topped with fluffy, golden biscuits. This recipe is perfect for family dinners and is sure to warm you up on chilly evenings.
Inspiration Behind the Recipe:
Inspired by the classic chicken pot pie, this version uses biscuits instead of a traditional pie crust, making it quicker to prepare while still delivering all the comforting flavors. It’s a perfect way to use leftover chicken or turkey!
Ingredients Breakdown:
- For the Chicken Filling:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (or fresh if preferred)
- 1 cup chopped potatoes (pre-cooked)
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup milk
Step-by-Step Recipe:
- Prepare the Chicken Filling:
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Make the Sauce:
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Add garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Finally, stir in the cooked chicken, peas, carrots, and potatoes. Mix well and remove from heat.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare the Biscuit Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until just combined.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Pour the chicken filling into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the top of the filling, leaving some space between each biscuit.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your warm Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits!
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits:
- Use Leftover Chicken: This is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken or turkey.
- Customize Vegetables: Feel free to add your favorite veggies, like corn or green beans.
- Avoid Overmixing Biscuits: Mix the biscuit dough just until combined to keep them fluffy.
Variations and Customizations:
- Herbed Biscuits: Add fresh or dried herbs to the biscuit dough for extra flavor.
- Creamy Version: For a richer sauce, use heavy cream instead of milk.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the filling for a spicy twist.
Health Considerations and Nutritional Value:
- Lighten Up: Use low-fat milk and reduced-sodium chicken broth to make a lighter version of this dish.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with mushrooms and additional vegetables for a vegetarian version.
FAQ:
- Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake the biscuits just before serving. - How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. - Can I freeze Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled dish before baking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Bake from frozen, adding extra time as needed.
Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits
Ingredients
Chicken Pot Pie
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts see notes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- ½ cup onions finely diced
- ½ cup celery finely diced
- ½ cup carrots finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon EACH: Onion Powder Dry Thyme, Dry Rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- 1/3 cup flour
- ½ cup half and half
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce can sub Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas
Biscuits: See Instructions
Instructions
For the Biscuits
- Prepare buttermilk biscuits but do not bake. Store formed biscuits on a plate in the fridge while you prepare the pot pie, then add the formed biscuits to the top when ready to bake. Bake at 425° for 15-18 minutes. (Optional: Brush with butter and bake at 450° for up to 5 more minutes to brown the top more.)
- You may also use my Cheddar Bay Biscuit recipe: Combine the dry ingredients together in advance. When you’re ready to bake, proceed in mixing the wet ingredients and forming the dough. Add biscuits to the top of the skillet when ready to bake. Bake at 450° for 12-15 minutes.
- Refrigerated biscuits may also be used. If making Bisquick biscuits or using a Biscuit mix: Prepare them JUST before baking. Refer to package for baking time/temperature.
- You may also bake the biscuits on a baking sheet while you prepare the filling, but baking them on top of the skillet of pot pie adds an extra level of cozy comfort!
For the Chicken Pot Pie
- Add the uncooked chicken breast and chicken broth to a pot and bring it to a very gentle bubble with the lid cracked for 15 minutes, until cooked through. Don’t boil rapidly or the chicken will be tough. Remove the chicken and use forks to shred. Set aside and reserve the broth that the chicken cooked in.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a wide (12-inch) pan over medium heat and sauté onions, celery, and carrots for 5-6 minutes. Add garlic and seasonings. Toss to coat and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add flour and toss to coat. Cook for 2 minutes or until you can no longer smell raw flour.
- Add 2/3 of the chicken broth in small splashes, stirring to incorporate. Add the half and half in the same manner. Adding the liquid too quickly will break the roux and interfere with the thickness of the gravy.
- Add chicken bouillon and soy sauce. Then add the shredded chicken and stir to combine.
- If the liquid was added slowly, the gravy should be pretty thick. If you would like it to be thicker, bring to a gentle boil and reduce to a simmer.
- Optional: Add any of the remaining 1/3 chicken broth if desired. The bottom of the biscuits will absorb some of it during baking.
- Add the frozen peas and stir to combine and heat through. Remove from heat.
- Transfer filling to a lightly greased 9 x13-inch baking dish if your skillet isn’t oven safe.
- Add the biscuits to the top and bake per biscuit recipe instructions, or until biscuits are golden and set in the middle. Note: you can also bake the biscuits separately on a baking sheet and place them on the filling after, resulting in a crispier bottom biscuit.
- Optional: Brush butter on top of the biscuits at the end and bake at 450° for 3-5 more minutes if additional browning is desired.
Notes
- Chicken thighs may also be used.
- 3 cups cooked chicken may also be used, but cooking fresh chicken in chicken broth adds a nice homemade flavor to this dish.
Make-Ahead Method:
- The filling can be prepared 2 days ahead of time. Let it cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Buttermilk biscuits can also be prepared and stored (unbaked) in the fridge for 2 days.
- When ready to bake, heat the filling in a skillet until warmed through. Add splashes of milk to thin it out if needed. Then top with biscuits and bake as outlined.