Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman Chicken Biscuit Casserole delivers comfort straight from southern kitchens, blending tender chicken and flaky biscuits into a creamy, irresistible one-pan meal. Satisfying and simple, this dish brings families together with warm, homestyle flavors that keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups cubed cooked chicken
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup peeled and chopped carrot
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups whole milk
- ⅔ cup low-sodium chicken broth
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh dill
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Baking and Fat Ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup milk
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Transform the skillet into a flavor foundation by melting 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of butter over medium heat. Introduce diced onions, carrots, and celery, allowing them to dance and soften for 5 minutes with occasional stirring. Incorporate minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes until vegetables become tender and fragrant.
- Maneuver the vegetables to one side of the skillet, creating space for the remaining 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of butter. Sprinkle flour over the melted butter, whisking diligently to create a silky roux. Gradually stream in chicken broth and milk, maintaining constant whisking until the sauce achieves a velvety, thickened consistency (approximately 8-10 minutes). Enhance with mustard, salt, pepper, and Parmesan, tasting and adjusting seasonings to perfection.
- Infuse the mixture with fresh dill, vibrant lemon zest, and a splash of lemon juice. Gently fold in cooked chicken and sweet green peas, ensuring even distribution. Transfer the aromatic blend to a 9×9 inch (23×23 centimeters) baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a spacious mixing bowl, marry flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, and dill. Incorporate chilled butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or forks until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. Delicately drizzle milk over the mixture, stirring minimally until the dough just coheres – resist the temptation to overmix.
- Artfully dollop biscuit dough in rounded tablespoon (15 milliliters) portions atop the chicken filling. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking uncovered for approximately 35 minutes. The dish is ready when the filling bubbles enthusiastically and the biscuits achieve a golden, enticing crown. Allow a brief resting period before serving to let flavors meld and settle.
Notes
- Baking Success Relies on Chilled Butter: Cold butter creates magical flaky layers by forming tiny air pockets during baking, transforming ordinary biscuits into melt-in-your-mouth delights.
- Uniform Vegetable Cutting Ensures Perfect Cooking: Chopping onions, carrots, and celery into consistent sizes guarantees even cooking and beautiful, balanced bites in every spoonful.
- Roux Technique Elevates Flavor Complexity: Carefully browning flour and butter develops a rich, nutty aroma that eliminates raw flour taste and adds depth to your casserole’s overall flavor profile.
- Taste Adjustment Is Your Secret Weapon: Sampling the mixture allows you to fine-tune seasonings, adding precise amounts of lemon juice, salt, or pepper to achieve your perfect flavor balance.
- Strategic Biscuit Placement Creates Culinary Magic: Spacing biscuit dough across the casserole surface enables proper rising, creating a golden, crispy topping that looks as incredible as it tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg