Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits Recipe

When the weather is chilly and the days get shorter, there's nothing quite as comforting as the aroma of a homemade chicken pot pie wafting through your kitchen. The golden crust, the creamy filling, the homey flavors… it's like a warm hug in a dish.

For the home cooks out there who are ready to roll up their sleeves and create culinary magic, this step-by-step guide to a classic Chicken Pot Pie with Buttery Biscuits is for you.

The History and Heartiness of Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie has a humble yet hearty history. This comfort food staple can be traced back to medieval England, where savory pies filled with meats and vegetables were common. Immigrants brought their love of pot pie to America, where it eventually became a household favorite.

The name "pot pie" refers to the cooking vessel it was traditionally made in, but no matter the history, the appeal of a good pot pie reigns supreme. It's a meal-in-one that's both rich and rugged, combining a creamy, savory interior with a flaky, buttery crust.

Making It Your Own with Biscuits

While crusts are the more common topper for pot pies, biscuits add an extra layer of buttery goodness that's hard to resist. In this recipe, we'll guide you through making a chicken pot pie that's all yours, whether you're catering to dietary preferences, tweaking for taste, or just adding a personal touch to a beloved classic.

I. The Ingredients

Before you fire up the oven, it's crucial to have all the right ingredients at hand. For our Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits, you'll need:

• For the Filling:
• Diced or shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver)
• Diced potatoes
• Sliced carrots
• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Frozen peas
• Unsalted butter
• All-purpose flour
• Chicken broth
• Whole milk or half-and-half
• Fresh thyme and/or rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Biscuits:
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• Buttermilk

Go with gluten-free flour for those with sensitivities or swap out the chicken for tofu or additional veggies for a vegetarian option.

II. The Preparation

Prepare your mise en place, or everything in its place, before beginning.

Handling the Dough and Biscuits

For the biscuits, handle the dough as little as possible to keep them tender. Use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Then, fold in the buttermilk gently.

Prepping Ahead

You can prepare the filling a day in advance. Just store it in the fridge and reheat it before assembling your pot pie. Prepare the biscuits right before baking for the freshest taste and texture.

III. Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Homemade pot pie is a labor of love, but every step brings you closer to that ultimate comfort. Here’s how to bring it all together.

Cooking the Filling

1. Melt butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent.
2. Stir in the garlic, then sprinkle the flour over the mixture and cook, stirring, for a minute or two.
3. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, followed by the milk. Add the potatoes, carrots, and herbs. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are just tender.
4. Stir in the cooked chicken and frozen peas. Remove from the heat, and allow the mixture to cool slightly to thicken before assembling the pot pie.

Making the Biscuits

1. Preheat your oven and line your baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients for the biscuits. Add the cubes of cold butter, and work the butter into the mixture using a pastry cutter until the pieces of butter are no bigger than a pea.
3. Slowly mix in the buttermilk until the dough comes together. It might still be crumbly, but don’t worry; the less you work the dough, the more tender your biscuits will be.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and pat it into a circle. Cut out your biscuits with a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake until golden brown and delicious.

Assembling the Pot Pie

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pour your now slightly thickened filling into a baking dish.
3. Top the filling with the warm biscuits.
4. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the biscuits are golden brown.

IV. Serving Suggestions

A simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette or a cup of soup is the perfect accompaniment to the rich pot pie. For dessert, a classic apple pie continues the comforting theme.

V. Health and Nutritional Information

Feeling guilty about indulging in this comfort food? Fear not! Pot pies can be quite healthy, especially if you load them with extra veggies and use a light hand with the butter. To lower the overall calorie count, consider serving with a side of steamed vegetables or a light cucumber salad.

VI. The Final Word on Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie with biscuits is a classic through and through. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own with added vegetables, different herbs, or a creative spin on the biscuit topping.

Experiment and share your results. Comfort food is something to take pride in, especially when you’ve made it from scratch.

Ready to get cooking? Your homemade pot pie awaits. Enjoy the process, and more importantly, enjoy the result. Your senses will thank you.

Would you like to add your personal touch to this recipe? Share with us in the comments your own take on this classic or other comfort food recipes that have a special place in your kitchen.