Imagine the soul-soothing comfort of a classic chicken pot pie, the creamy, savory filling packed with tender chicken and vegetables, but instead of a fussy, rolled pie crust, it’s crowned with fluffy, golden, and buttery drop biscuits that bake right on top, soaking up the delicious sauce below. This is Chicken and Biscuit Bake. It is the ultimate one-pan comfort food, a hearty, family-friendly casserole that embodies the very essence of home-cooked warmth and satisfaction. It’s a dish that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma, promising a meal that is both nourishing and deeply indulgent.
Why Is This Chicken and Biscuit Bake So Popular?
The popularity of Chicken and Biscuit Bake is a direct result of its perfect balance of homestyle flavor and straightforward preparation. First and foremost, it is a powerhouse of nostalgia. The combination of creamy chicken and fluffy biscuits is a universally beloved comfort food pairing that evokes feelings of family, security, and home.
Secondly, it is an incredible one-dish meal. The entire dinner—protein, vegetables, and starch—comes together in a single baking dish, meaning minimal active cooking time and significantly easier cleanup. This makes it a lifesaver for busy cooks. Furthermore, its forgiving and adaptable nature is a huge draw. You can use leftover or rotisserie chicken, mix and match vegetables based on what you have, and adjust the herbs to your liking. It’s a reliable template for a delicious meal that can be different every time you make it.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Biscuit Bake:
You will love this recipe for its foolproof method and the consistently spectacular, crowd-pleasing results it yields. You will love the aromatic process of building the creamy sauce from scratch, a scent that is the very definition of comfort. You will love the creative freedom it offers, allowing you to make it your own with different vegetable and herb combinations.
You will love the visual satisfaction of dropping the biscuit dough over the rich filling and watching it rise and brown to perfection in the oven. You will love the generous yield, ensuring plenty for a crowd or for coveted leftovers. Most of all, you will love the universal delight it brings—a scoop of this bake is a warm, creamy, and fluffy hug in a bowl that is guaranteed to satisfy.
Here’s what you’ll need:
This recipe is built in two main components: the savory filling and the biscuit topping.
For the Creamy Chicken Filling:
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3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (from a rotisserie chicken or 2-3 boiled breasts)
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4 tablespoons (1/2 stick / 57g) unsalted butter
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1 medium yellow onion, diced
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2 carrots, diced
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2 celery stalks, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1/3 cup (42g) all-purpose flour
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2 cups chicken broth, low-sodium preferred
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1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
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1 cup frozen peas
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 tsp fresh, chopped)
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Biscuit Topping:
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2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
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1 tablespoon baking powder
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1 tablespoon granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup (1 stick / 113g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
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3/4 cup (180ml) cold buttermilk (or whole milk)
Optional Add-ins & Garnish:
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1/2 cup frozen corn
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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Melted butter for brushing the biscuits
How to Make Chicken and Biscuit Bake:
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the steps for making this delightful Chicken and Biscuit Bake. It’s as easy as pie, and I promise you’ll feel like a culinary superstar!
Step 1: Prepare the Filling Base
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery (this is a classic mirepoix) and cook for 6-8 minutes, until the vegetables have softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Create the Roux
Sprinkle the 1/3 cup of flour over the cooked vegetables. Stir constantly and cook for 1-2 minutes. This cooks the raw flour taste out and creates a roux, which will thicken your filling beautifully.
Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce
Gradually pour in the chicken broth and milk, whisking constantly to ensure no lumps form. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens noticeably, about 3-5 minutes. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Combine the Filling
Stir in the shredded chicken, frozen peas, dried thyme, rosemary, and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning—this is your chance to make it perfect! If using corn, add it now. Pour the entire filling into a 9×13-inch baking dish if you’re not using an oven-safe skillet.
Step 5: Make the Biscuit Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt for the biscuit topping. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
Step 6: Bring the Biscuits Together
Pour the cold buttermilk (or milk) into the flour-butter mixture. Use a fork or spatula to stir until just combined. The dough will be shaggy and sticky. Do not overmix! Overmixing is the enemy of fluffy biscuits.
Step 7: Assemble the Bake
Drop large, rough spoonfuls of the biscuit dough (about 1/4 cup each) evenly over the top of the warm chicken filling. You should get about 8-9 biscuits. Do not smooth them out; the craggy tops will brown beautifully.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a biscuit comes out clean. The filling should be bubbly around the edges.
Step 9: Rest and Serve
For the best results, let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes after pulling it from the oven. This allows the filling to thicken slightly, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for Success:
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Keep Everything Cold for Biscuits: The secret to flaky, tender biscuits is cold butter and cold liquid. This creates steam pockets as it bakes, leading to a light, airy texture.
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Don’t Overmix the Biscuit Dough: A shaggy, lumpy dough is a good dough. Overmixing develops gluten and leads to tough, dense biscuits.
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Season Aggressively: The filling can taste bland if underseasoned. Be generous with salt and pepper, and taste it before adding the biscuit topping.
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Use a Pre-Heated Filling: Having the filling warm or hot when you add the biscuit dough helps the biscuits start cooking from the bottom immediately, ensuring they bake through evenly.
Equipment Needed:
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9×13-inch baking dish or a large (12-inch) oven-safe skillet/Dutch oven
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Large mixing bowl
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Pastry Cutter or Two Forks
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Whisk
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Cutting board and knife
Variations of Chicken and Biscuit Bake:
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Cheesy Chicken Bake: Stir 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the filling before topping with biscuits. Sprinkle a little extra on top of the biscuits before baking.
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Everything Bagel Biscuit Bake: Substitute the biscuit topping with a can of refrigerated biscuit dough. Brush the biscuits with melted butter and sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning before baking.
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Chicken & Dumpling Style: For a more “soup-like” consistency, increase the chicken broth to 3 cups. The biscuit dough will soften and become more dumpling-like as it cooks in the extra liquid.
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Turkey and Biscuit Bake: A perfect post-Thanksgiving solution! Substitute the chicken with an equal amount of shredded cooked turkey.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken and Biscuit Bake:
This is a complete meal, but a simple side can complement it perfectly.
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A Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad with a light vinaigrette is the perfect fresh counterpoint to the rich, creamy bake.
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Mashed Potatoes: For the ultimate carb-loaded comfort, serve a scoop of the bake next to creamy mashed potatoes.
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Green Beans: Steamed or roasted green beans with almonds make for a healthy and easy side.
Prep Time:
25 minutes
Cooking Time:
25 minutes
Total Time:
50 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Per serving, based on 8 servings, estimated.)
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Calories: ~420
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Protein: 22g
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Sodium: 750mg
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Sugar: 7g
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Fat: 21g
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Carbohydrates: 38g
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Fiber: 3g
FAQs about Chicken and Biscuit Bake:
Q: Can I use canned biscuits instead of making them from scratch?
A: Yes, you can. One (16-ounce) can of refrigerated biscuit dough (8 count) will work. Place the whole biscuits on top of the filling and bake according to the biscuit package directions, or until golden brown.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, warm the filling slightly in a saucepan or the microwave, transfer to a baking dish, top with freshly made biscuit dough, and bake as directed.
Q: How do I store and reheat leftovers?
A: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave. For a crisper biscuit top, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warm.
Q: My filling is too thin. How can I thicken it?
A: Create a quick slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the simmering filling until it thickens.
Q: Can I freeze this bake?
A: It’s best to freeze the filling only. The biscuit topping does not freeze and reheat well, becoming gummy. Freeze the cooled filling for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and then top with fresh biscuit dough before baking.
Final Thoughts:
Chicken and Biscuit Bake is more than just a recipe; it is a cornerstone of comfort food cooking. It represents the beautiful simplicity of a meal made with care, where humble ingredients are transformed into something truly extraordinary. From the rich, savory filling to the light, fluffy biscuits, every element works in perfect harmony to create a dish that is as satisfying to make as it is to eat. It’s the kind of recipe that builds confidence in the kitchen and becomes a cherished, requested classic in your family. So, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a one-dish wonder that delivers maximum comfort with minimal fuss.
