Dinner/ Recipes

Chicken n’ Biscuits To Fix Your Life

I honestly don’t know what’s come over me. I’m cooking real meals. I’m air drying my hair. I’m buying dark meat and Crisco at the store. Shoot, if that doesn’t say quarter life crisis, I don’t know what does.

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I adapted this recipe from the Gourmet Cookbook (aka the bible). The recipe I really wanted was in my tried and true copy of Prairie Home Cooking, but after an emergency phone call to Georgia which resulted in my sweet mother peeling open dusty book boxes in the garage to no avail, I made due with what I had. But, let it be noted that the Chicken and Mushroom Pie from Prairie Home Cooking could quite possibly be the best pot pie I’ve ever tried. I made it in high school and it’s stuck with me. I need to get out more.

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Anyway, here’s the recipe for tonight’s dinner. Almanzo said “it’s the best thing I’ve cooked yet”. That Texas boy does love his chicken and biscuits, I’ll tell you what.

Chicken n’ Biscuits

Serves 4

Print this recipe!

1 quart chicken stock

3 large carrots, peeled and chopped

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (use dark meat for the most flavor)

1 yellow onion, chopped

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

2 large red potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

6 T all purpose flour

2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp ground white pepper

6 T unsalted butter

3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed with a knife

2 cups sliced mushrooms

For the biscuits:

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 T COLD butter

2 T COLD shortening

1/3 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 egg

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/3 cup buttermilk

In a large pot filled with water and the garlic cloves, poach the chicken thighs until cooked through. Drain and set aside to cool before chopping into small pieces. Set aside.

In another large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add the carrots, celery and potatoes and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until veggies are done. Remove veggies with a slotted spoon and reserve stock. Combine chicken and veggies and set aside.

In a dutch oven, melt the butter. Add the onions and the mushrooms and saute for about seven minutes, or until both onions and mushrooms are soft. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Keep cooking for about five minutes, making sure to scrape the flour from the bottom of the pot so it doesn’t burn. Now, slowly pour in the remaining stock, whisking as you pour. Crank up the heat to high and whisk your heart out for about five minutes as the sauce thickens and boils. Add the thyme, parsley, white pepper and nutmeg and stir. Pour the sauce over the chicken and veggies (in a dutch oven or casserole dish) and set aside while you make the biscuits. You could also make the sauce earlier in the day and stick it in the fridge until later….just be sure to make the biscuits right before you serve it!

First of all, when you make biscuits you really need COLD fat. I always, always, always freeze my butter and shortening when I know I’m making biscuits. The colder the fat, the flakier the biscuits. It’s just how it works. I don’t write the rules, I just follow them when biscuits are on the line.

Now, preheat the oven to 450. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter and shortening and use your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Stir in the cheese. Break the egg into a measuring cup and add the buttermilk to the egg. Whisk and then pour the mixture into the flour mixture and mix so that you have a relatively smooth ball of dough. On a floured surface, knead the dough four times (FOUR TIMES) and then roll out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut rounds with a water glass or cup (or biscuit cutter if you’re fancy…I’m not). Place biscuit rounds on top of the filling and brush the tops of the biscuits with egg wash (just one yolk mixed with a little warm water—this gives the biscuits shine) and prick with a fork.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden and the chicken mixture is bubbling. Serve hot.

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  • andrenna
    July 20, 2010 at 8:48 pm

    hot damn. that looks deliiiicious.

  • Janna @ Janna's Keeping it Real
    July 20, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    sweet baby jesus. i don’t even eat meat and that looks divine.

  • Leanne
    July 20, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    I’m drooling…..those biscuits look amazing.

  • Amanda @ Vegacious
    July 20, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    Daaaaang girl! 🙂

  • Heather
    July 20, 2010 at 9:19 pm

    he’s a true Texas boy indeed then 🙂 i know my hubby’s the same way…and Lord knows I love my chicken and biscuits too 🙂

  • Becki @ HikeBikeEat
    July 20, 2010 at 9:19 pm

    Add some leftover fried chicken!

  • kristy @ ksayerphotography
    July 20, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    This looks amazing!
    I think I need to make this for my southern boyfriend

  • Jess.
    July 20, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    YUM.

  • Jess.
    July 20, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    YUM.

  • Angela
    July 20, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    not crisis……you are in love Miss Jenna!!!!!! you want to cook for him……one way you show your love!!! 🙂

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
    July 20, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    Hahaha you’re air drying your hair 🙂 I’ve gotten lazy with blow drying too. Sue us, right?

    Almanzo is a lucky man!

  • Cara
    July 20, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    So good!
    What a comforting meal…love it.

  • Cindy
    July 20, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    glad to see the Southern in you hasn’t completely clocked out!

  • Dorry
    July 20, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    What an awesome comfort food meal! I know some of my family members will absolutely LOVE this recipe.

  • Suzanne de Cornelia
    July 20, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    OK, this is just mean. This is like teasing Lindsay Lohan with a plate of it through the cell bars. Licking the screen!!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog)
    July 20, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    oh boy – that looks like comfort in a bowl! LOve it!

  • Shelley (Pink House)
    July 20, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    Gosh, that looks really good! I’m partial to my own from scratch chicken pot pie, but after seeing this…I think I’m going to have to try it. But even with air conditioning, it’s really too hot to turn on the oven. May have to wait until fall.

  • Amanda
    July 20, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    Holy. Cow. Go Jenna go!

  • Camille
    July 20, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    Damn, I don’t even eat chicken and I want to eat this!

  • Jaime
    July 21, 2010 at 12:53 am

    Yum! That’s one thing that I miss from when I lived in America – yummy yummy biscuits… Your boyfriend is one lucky lad 🙂

  • Ping
    July 21, 2010 at 1:54 am

    Hi! I came to your blog through from therichlifeonabudget.blogspot. This chicken and biscuit looks divine!! I’m so glad I came by and I read your food philosophy. I love it!! That’s how I see food!! Will be reading through your previous post, yeah I know it’s going to be good.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
    July 21, 2010 at 3:34 am

    This reminds me of my childhood. I want to eat it for breakfast.

  • diana@mymarblerye
    July 21, 2010 at 4:43 am

    mmm…your meals have been so homey lately!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
    July 21, 2010 at 4:51 am

    I am reading this post while eating breakfast on a rainy morning. And now I REALLY want some of those chicken n’biscuits. Because they look amazing.

    I wish computers were scratch n’sniff.

  • Jill@MySoCalledHealthLife
    July 21, 2010 at 5:00 am

    I’m buying a plane ticket right now. Mama needs those biscuits!!! 😉

  • Lindsey @ Foodie on the Rocks
    July 21, 2010 at 5:09 am

    sometimes i go through comfort food phases too! roll with it. it’s amazing. 😀

  • Allie
    July 21, 2010 at 5:11 am

    wow, this looks incredible!!!

  • megan
    July 21, 2010 at 5:17 am

    could you use the water that you poached the chicken in as the chicken stock?

  • Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
    July 21, 2010 at 5:19 am

    WOW that looks incredible. Can you cook for me? 😉
    xo
    Kris

  • crunchy granola gal
    July 21, 2010 at 5:23 am

    Hah, I’ve become very domestic too. Cooking a whole chicken for the week, packing fresh veggies and fruit for myself and the BF in the mornings… Disturbing behaviour, I tell you.

    Anyway. This looks amazing, cold shortening and all. Bravo!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    July 21, 2010 at 5:26 am

    This meal would turn my husband into putty. Awesome, this is the meal I’ll serve before I enact my secret evildoer plan.

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
    July 21, 2010 at 5:27 am

    This looks wonderful. I am so impressed with your skill girl! 🙂

  • Krista (kristastes)
    July 21, 2010 at 5:34 am

    I’m super lazy when it comes to my hair. I only blow dry my hair maybe once a week? I have no problem with having a fro… I also hate putting on makeup but I must in order to NOT look 12 years old at work. Really I should just become a bum and wear sweatpants for life. But on another note, your dinner looks so freaking delicious. Chicken ‘n biscuits is the one meal my mom has perfected and I really want to make your version now!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    July 21, 2010 at 5:48 am

    WOW. It may not be healthy, but it looks SOOO good!

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef
    July 21, 2010 at 5:50 am

    oh that looks amazing. husband would love love love it. but i think the chicken & mushroom pie would be delicious too. hope you find the recipe!

  • Chelsey
    July 21, 2010 at 5:50 am

    This vegetarian just drooled all over her computer screen – you’re rocking my world Jenna.. seriously.

  • Heather (Sugar & Spice Blog)
    July 21, 2010 at 5:51 am

    Oh my gosh. This looks amazing! I will have to make it soon, if it ever cools down here in Boston. I love your “real” meals – keep cooking 🙂

  • Anya @ Fitness & Sunshine
    July 21, 2010 at 6:02 am

    I love all your “real” meals recently. They’re exactly all made of whole wheat, nut butter, and celery but they look so scrumptious and fantastic. Keep at it! You’re a wonderful cook and to be frank I’m quite envious. 😉 I would love to cook something real like this and just *enjoy* all the flavors together, rather than worry about whether or not it has enough fiber/protein what have you.

    • Anya @ Fitness & Sunshine
      July 21, 2010 at 6:03 am

      Woops, meant “not exactly” in that 2nd sentence there. You get my point!

  • Amanda@SenseiTalks
    July 21, 2010 at 6:33 am

    Holy biscuits! That looks amazingly delicious!! Now THAT’S a real meal!

  • CW
    July 21, 2010 at 6:36 am

    Love chicken and biscuits–although when I make it I usually just cheat with refrigerated biscuit dough :/ I used to be all about “haute” cuisine and getting into trendy gourmet stuff, but at heart, what I like to eat (and cook) the most are the comfort foods of my childhood. Good solid midwestern/southern comfort. Right now I am dying for some banana pudding.

  • jenna
    July 21, 2010 at 6:44 am

    i’ve been longing for chicken pot pie for some time now! this recipe looks great!

    Awesome job on the biscuits they look downright perfect!

  • Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
    July 21, 2010 at 7:13 am

    It looks so good and so pretty.

  • Amy
    July 21, 2010 at 7:17 am

    Oh my…now you are talking!!!! This made me smile, I want to try this recipe…complete comfort!!! Thanks for sharing this gem!!!!

  • Angela (ohsheglows)
    July 21, 2010 at 7:31 am

    Dear God….I think I drooled!

  • Elizabeth
    July 21, 2010 at 7:34 am

    Holy YUM, Batman! We will be eating something with buttermilk biscuits at our house this weekend 🙂 I thank you, my husband thanks you, and though he doesn’t know it yet…our son thanks you too!!

  • Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries
    July 21, 2010 at 7:36 am

    Oh, Jenna. Be still my heart. I see myself making this come the first sign of Fall!

  • Lauren L.
    July 21, 2010 at 7:42 am

    I thought of you this morning as I was driving to work because on NPR’s Market Place they were talking about Almonzo and the Old Spice commercials. They are like award-winning ads and highly popular…BUT sales are dropping. They think it is because they are marketed to women instead of men and men do actually go buy their own soap at the store, instead of their significant others purchasing it for them.

  • Teresa
    July 21, 2010 at 8:11 am

    Love it ! Love it ! Love it !
    Everything you make always looks YUM!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
    July 21, 2010 at 8:22 am

    That looks like the most perfect chicken pot pie recipe I have honestly ever laid eyes on. For real.

    It’s one of my favorite comfort foods. I love cooking up a batch in the winter months because it just feels so darn cozy. 😀

  • Nelly@CrazySexyFit
    July 21, 2010 at 8:24 am

    Jenna my dear, you are amazing. You know you have succeeded at being a foodie blogger when you can make a vegetarian (ok, pescatarian) salivate over pictures of meat. Not quite enough to make me actually eat the stuff again, but damn, that looks good.

    And that settles it. It might turn out a little weird, but I WILL be making fish ‘n’ biscuits, a la Jenna.

    Also I am TOTALLY on board with the whole bit about calling your man Almanzo. I just with I’d had that idea first ;P

  • Krystina
    July 21, 2010 at 8:26 am

    Those are mighty pretty biscuits.

  • Lauren @ louisianagrown
    July 21, 2010 at 8:36 am

    If you keep this up too much longer they’re gonna ship you out of California and right back down South. Looks delicious!

  • Jenny@LifeAfterYes...
    July 21, 2010 at 8:57 am

    That looks heavenly. Yum. I’m bookmarking this for another date. Thank you!

  • Morgan
    July 21, 2010 at 9:13 am

    I licked the screen. Biscuits.

    You know what is also out of this world, this same method but with lobster- Lobster n Biscuits. Farking unbelieveable.

  • Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf
    July 21, 2010 at 11:16 am

    Texas boys do love their biscuits! My husband craves them every so often.

    I made chicken and dumplings last night! Only I cheaped out and used prepared biscuit dough for dumplings. It’s just how I’ve always made them!

  • Jenna (Hello, I Love You)
    July 21, 2010 at 11:19 am

    Yep…I am making this tonight! Thank you! 🙂

  • Amy
    July 21, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    You’ve got this Yankee yearning for some biscuits. Now if that doesn’t speak to the power of your cooking, I don’t know what does!

  • Shannon
    November 14, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    Just made the biscuits! I used straight butter as I had no shortening and they turned out pretty good!

  • dingbatt
    January 9, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Jenna…..Just completed this recipe. By “completed” I mean made it (your homemade biscuits too) and ate it. OMG!!!!! It was outstanding and the biscuits are unbelieveable. If anyone is considering this recipe my advice is: stop condsidering DO IT and make the biscuits from scratch. YYYUUUMMM

  • brianne
    January 12, 2011 at 9:17 am

    made this on monday night (but we did use WF canned biscuits) – and still was incredible. as we were making it, my husband said “i don’t eat chicken pot pie, i don’t like chicken pot pie” – and it turns out he’s never HAD chicken pot pie. and, lo and behold, he loved this. it’s wednesday at lunch and we’ve basically finished off the pan by ourselves. thanks jenna!

  • HeatherChristo
    February 10, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    I come from the NorthWest, and am totally unfamiliar with this dish. But after reading this, it seems there is only one thing to do. Make this for my husband so he can fall in love with me all over again! It looks so good. Thanks Jenna!

    • jenna
      February 10, 2011 at 3:15 pm

      definitely! Let me know how it turns out for you…if we lived closer, I would happily trade you a big pot of this for some of those yummy peanut butter chocolate brownies I spied on your blog the other day 😉

  • Katie
    October 17, 2011 at 8:08 am

    I made this yesterday and it was DELICIOUS! Thank you.

  • Elizabeth
    March 29, 2012 at 6:41 am

    I made this for long distance date night, last night and it was great! My boyfriend actually picked out the recipe after I found the Green Goddess Pasta the week before.

  • Kerrie
    April 8, 2012 at 4:23 am

    Just discovered this recipe and was intrigued because in Australia biscuits are cookies! What does “T” mean in the measurements above? Our recipes read differently too 🙂

  • Nicole
    June 5, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    This is probably a dumb question, but with what technique and for how long should I poach the chicken?

    • jenna
      June 5, 2012 at 1:55 pm

      To poach the chicken, just drop the raw chicken in boiling water and simmer for about 10 minutes or so, until chicken has cooked through! Then drain, cool chicken and chop up 🙂

      • Nicole
        June 6, 2012 at 6:26 am

        Thanks for the quick response! Made this last night and it was INSANE! I love how the components were cooked separately, as it made the end result so much more flavorful (no “muddy” flavors and no mushy veggies). Yes, it used up several pots and took a little longer to make, but seriously, one of the best things I’ve ever cooked! Next time, I think I’ll play around with the recipe and will give it a more Cajun feel by adding some Andouille sausage to the chicken, and by adding in some bell peppers and jalapeno and spices with the veggies. Thanks for the awesome recipe, Jenna!

  • Sandy Wolfenden
    July 19, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Made this with a few alterations and absolutely loved it! I added about 8 cooked bacon crumbled to recipe, and after making the broth I added a can of cream of chicken to it and 3/4 cup of milk. I used dried herbs so I cut them down. I used can buttermilk biscuits and cut them in half to cover the whole 9 by 13 pan. My family loved it and I will be making it again! Thanks, Sandy

  • kim@hungryhealthygirl
    August 21, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    What a yummy comfort food! It’s raining outside now and this looks perfect for dinner.

  • lisa b.
    August 21, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    Jenna, I found the recipe for the chicken and mushroom pie from Prairie Home Cooking! I googled it, and lo and behold, I found a newspaper review of the book with the recipe included! The title of the recipe is Lap of Luxury Chicken Pot Pie…Enjoy!
    http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=20001206&id=j2RWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S_IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6890,710201
    P.S. Your recipe sounds really yummy, too!

  • Heather
    August 31, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    I made this last night and it was perfect! I cheated on the chicken though and used a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store. Husband said it should be part of the regular rotation. It made 6 servings for us instead of 4, and I’m not complaining one bit, love having left overs.

    Thank you, it was delicious!