Are you craving a comforting, classic chicken pot pie but want to elevate it with a truly delightful crust? Forget store-bought pie crusts! This recipe shows you how to make unbelievably flaky and delicious Grands-style biscuits to top your homemade chicken pot pie, transforming a simple weeknight dinner into a truly special meal. It’s easier than you think to achieve that perfect, golden-brown biscuit topping that will have everyone asking for seconds. This recipe is perfect for those looking for easy recipes, healthy meals (depending on your filling choices!), or quick dinner ideas. Let's get started!
Ingredients:
For the Grands-Style Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
For the Chicken Pot Pie Filling (adjust to your preference):
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Making the Grands-Style Biscuits:
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to keep the butter cold.
- Add buttermilk: Stir in the buttermilk just until the dough comes together. Don't overmix!
- Shape biscuits: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it to about 1-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch biscuit cutter or a knife to cut out biscuits.
- Bake: Place biscuits on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Making the Chicken Pot Pie Filling:
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make roux: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add broth and seasonings: Gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth. Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Add chicken and vegetables: Stir in shredded chicken, peas, and corn. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until heated through.
- Assemble pot pie: Pour the chicken pot pie filling into an oven-safe dish (a 9x13 inch baking dish works well). Top with the baked Grands-style biscuits.
- Bake again (optional): You can bake the assembled pot pie for another 10-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are heated through and slightly browned. This step isn’t strictly necessary, but it adds a bit of extra warmth and crispness.
Tips for Success:
- Don't overmix the biscuit dough: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in tough biscuits.
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter and buttermilk are key to flaky biscuits.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet: Give the biscuits enough space to rise properly.
- For a richer flavor: Use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought.
Variations:
- Vegetarian Pot Pie: Replace the chicken with roasted vegetables like butternut squash, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Creamy Pot Pie: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or milk into the chicken pot pie filling for a richer, creamier texture.
- Spicy Pot Pie: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the filling for a little kick.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving, varies with ingredients):
This will vary greatly depending on the size of your pot pie and the ingredients used in the filling. For a general estimate, a serving could contain around 400-500 calories, 20-25g of fat, and 30-40g of protein. Use a nutrition calculator for a more precise analysis based on your specific ingredients. This recipe offers a delicious and satisfying meal, and can be part of a balanced healthy diet! Enjoy!