If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate comfort food, Chicken and Biscuits is about to be your new go-to. Imagine tender chunks of chicken, sweet carrots, and vibrant peas, all snuggled in a creamy sauce and crowned with golden, fluffy biscuits fresh from the oven. This is the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day: simple, hearty, and absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just craving some soul-soothing flavor, this classic has it all.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken and Biscuits keeps things wonderfully simple, with each ingredient adding its own touch of coziness and taste. Here’s how every item works together to create pure magic in your baking dish.
- Butter: Adds richness and makes a tasty base for your veggies to soften and bloom with flavor.
- Onion: Brings a subtle sweetness and savory depth that’s essential for any comfort casserole.
- Garlic: Offers a gentle bite and rounds out the flavor with a warm, aromatic kick.
- Carrots: These dice up sweet and tender, giving every bite a lovely pop of color and nutrition.
- Celery: Adds crunch and a hint of earthiness that balances the creamy filling.
- All-purpose flour: Creates the roux that thickens the luscious, crave-worthy sauce.
- Chicken broth: The secret to a deeply savory, flavor-packed filling—opt for low sodium if you prefer.
- Whole milk: Makes the sauce super creamy and helps everything meld together beautifully.
- Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie is a dinner-time lifesaver here, but any simply cooked chicken will do.
- Frozen peas: These sweet green gems add color and a little burst of freshness right near the end.
- Dried thyme: Lends a gentle herby aroma that instantly reminds you of home.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for bringing out all the cozy, savory notes.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough or homemade biscuits: The golden crowning glory—choose your route for maximum ease or that from-scratch touch.
How to Make Chicken and Biscuits
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This helps ensure your biscuits won’t stick and the filling bubbles up just right. It’s a simple setup that really sets the stage for Chicken and Biscuits perfection.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics and Veggies
In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in your finely chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery. Sauté everything together for 5 to 7 minutes, until the vegetables turn soft and fragrant. This forms the flavorful foundation for the whole dish.
Step 3: Make the Roux
Sprinkle the flour over your sautéed veggies and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This step cooks out the raw flour taste and thickens the sauce, keeping your Chicken and Biscuits meal luxuriously creamy, never gloopy.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk, making sure to stir out any lumps. Keep things moving for about 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens into a beautiful, velvety sauce—trust your senses; you’ll know when it’s right.
Step 5: Add the Chicken, Peas, and Seasonings
Stir in your shredded chicken, frozen peas, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Let it all simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes, so the flavors meld and everything gets piping hot and deliciously inviting.
Step 6: Pour and Top with Biscuits
Transfer the chicken filling into your prepared baking dish. Open your can of refrigerated biscuit dough (or grab your own homemade biscuits) and place them right on top, layering them evenly so every serving gets a golden biscuit hat.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the biscuits are beautifully golden and cooked all the way through. Let it rest for about 5 minutes—the hardest part!—so everything sets up and you don’t burn your tongue when you dive in.
How to Serve Chicken and Biscuits
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives just before serving for a pop of color and gentle freshness. A dusting of black pepper or even a bit of flaky salt on each biscuit can make this Chicken and Biscuits dish look (and taste) extra special.
Side Dishes
Chicken and Biscuits is a hearty meal on its own, but a crisp green salad, tangy coleslaw, or simple steamed green beans make perfect partners. Their lightness balances the richness of the casserole, and they’re quick to prep while your dish bakes.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, bake your Chicken and Biscuits in individual ramekins and top each with its own mini biscuit—the ultimate comfort food in personal portions. Or, cut the biscuits into fun shapes with a cookie cutter before baking for a playful surprise at the table!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any extra Chicken and Biscuits will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer portions to an airtight container. The flavors deepen as it sits, making those leftovers even more tempting.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully! Once cooled, wrap the whole casserole or individual servings tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. If using homemade biscuits, freeze before baking for best results; canned versions work well either way.
Reheating
To bring your Chicken and Biscuits back to bubbly bliss, reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 20 minutes if baking from the fridge. For individual servings, a few minutes in the microwave does the trick—just cover to keep the biscuits soft and moist.
FAQs
Can I use leftover turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Leftover turkey is a fantastic swap in Chicken and Biscuits, especially after the holidays. The flavors blend seamlessly and it’s a great way to use up those extra cooked meats.
How do I make this dish gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use a store-bought or homemade gluten-free biscuit dough. Just remember to check all your packaged ingredients to ensure everything is certified gluten-free.
What if I don’t have whole milk on hand?
No worries! You can use 2% milk, half-and-half, or even a splash of cream mixed with water. The sauce will still turn out rich and creamy, just with a slightly different texture.
Can I add more vegetables?
Definitely—Chicken and Biscuits is as flexible as your produce drawer. Try tossing in diced potatoes, corn, green beans, or even a handful of baby spinach for extra color and nutrition.
How do I know when the biscuits are done?
The biscuits should be puffed up, golden brown on top, and not doughy on the bottom. To check, lift one gently with a fork to peek underneath; if it’s not fully baked, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dinner that’s as comforting as a favorite sweater and as crowd-pleasing as a Sunday roast, Chicken and Biscuits is calling your name. It’s easy, homey, and pure magic straight from the oven—give it a try, and you’ll see why this classic never goes out of style!
Print
Chicken and Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and hearty dish, Chicken and Biscuits is a classic American casserole featuring tender shredded chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce, topped with golden-brown biscuits.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Biscuit Topping:
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough or 8 homemade biscuits
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Sauté vegetables: In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
- Add flour and liquids: Stir in flour, then slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk until thickened.
- Combine chicken and seasoning: Add shredded chicken, peas, thyme, salt, and pepper; simmer briefly.
- Assemble and bake: Transfer mixture to a baking dish, top with biscuit dough, and bake until golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- For extra flavor, add cream or poultry seasoning.
- Try making individual ramekin servings for a unique presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
