Chicken Cobbler

Introduction

Chicken Cobbler is a savory twist on the classic fruit cobbler, replacing the usual sweet filling with a hearty chicken and vegetable mixture. This dish features tender pieces of chicken in a creamy sauce, topped with a fluffy, biscuit-like crust that bakes to golden perfection. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a comforting and satisfying meal, perfect for a cozy dinner or special occasion.

The first time I made this, I was searching for a warm, hearty dish to share with my family on a chilly evening. It quickly became a favorite, with its creamy filling and perfectly baked topping earning rave reviews around the table. What I love most about this dish is how versatile it is—you can customize the filling with your favorite vegetables or herbs to make it your own.

What’s great about Chicken Cobbler is that it’s both filling and easy to prepare. With just one pan and simple ingredients, you can create a dish that feels rustic yet elevated. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or serving it at a gathering, this cobbler is sure to impress and leave everyone asking for seconds!

Perfect for:

• Family dinners
• Comfort food lovers
• Weeknight meals
• Potlucks and gatherings
• Leftovers that taste even better the next day

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Cobbler

Here’s why Chicken Cobbler will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen:

• Hearty and Filling: Packed with chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce, this dish is a complete meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
• Fluffy Biscuit Topping: The biscuit topping provides the perfect contrast to the creamy filling, creating a comforting texture in every bite.
• Simple and Easy to Make: This one-pan dish is easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or weekend meals.
• Customizable: You can add or substitute vegetables to suit your tastes, such as carrots, peas, or corn.
• Great for Leftovers: Chicken Cobbler tastes even better the next day, as the flavors meld together, making it a great make-ahead meal.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 6 servings
• Calories per serving: Approximately 400-450 calories
• Key Nutrients: Protein: 30g, Carbs: 35g, Fat: 20g

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients to make Chicken Cobbler:

• 3 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas, corn, or green beans)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup milk

Ingredient Highlights

• Chicken: Use cooked chicken, whether it’s leftover rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or chicken you’ve cooked specifically for this dish.
• Vegetables: A mix of frozen or fresh vegetables, such as carrots, peas, corn, and green beans, provides a colorful and nutritious base for the cobbler.
• Heavy Cream: The heavy cream helps create a rich, creamy sauce that complements the chicken and vegetables.
• Biscuit Topping: The biscuit topping is soft, buttery, and fluffy, making it the perfect finishing touch to the savory filling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make Chicken Cobbler:

Prepare the Filling:

1. Cook the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.
2. Add the Vegetables: Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly.
3. Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the heavy cream and continue to stir until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the Chicken and Seasoning: Stir in the cooked chicken, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Once the filling is thick and creamy, remove it from the heat.

Prepare the Biscuit Topping:

5. Make the Biscuit Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Add the Milk: Pour in the milk and stir until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

Assemble and Bake:

7. Assemble the Cobbler: Pour the chicken and vegetable filling into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish. Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the filling, spacing them evenly.
8. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the cobbler for 35-40 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
9. Cool and Serve: Let the cobbler cool for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly, making it easier to serve.

How to Serve Chicken Cobbler

Chicken Cobbler can be served in many delicious ways:

• As a Main Course: Serve the cobbler on its own as a complete, hearty meal for lunch or dinner.
• With a Side Salad: Pair it with a simple green salad to balance out the richness of the cobbler.
• For Meal Prep: Chicken Cobbler is a great make-ahead meal. You can prepare it in advance, refrigerate it, and bake it when you’re ready to eat.
• With Garlic Bread: Serve alongside warm, crispy garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
• With a Vegetable Side: Pair with additional vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts or steamed broccoli for extra nutrition.

Additional Tips for Chicken Cobbler

Here are some tips to ensure your Chicken Cobbler turns out perfectly every time:

• Use Leftover Chicken: This is a great way to use up leftover chicken, such as rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken, which will save you time on preparation.
• Customize the Vegetables: You can use whatever vegetables you prefer or have on hand. Frozen mixed vegetables work well for convenience, or you can use fresh vegetables like peas, carrots, or green beans.
• Don’t Overwork the Biscuit Dough: When making the biscuit topping, be gentle with the dough. Overworking it can result in a tough, dense texture. Stir just until combined.
• Let the Filling Thicken: Make sure the sauce thickens before you pour it into the baking dish. If it’s too runny, the biscuit topping may become soggy.
• Top with Cheese (Optional): For extra flavor, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the biscuit dough before baking. Cheddar or Parmesan works great with this dish.

Recipe Variations for Chicken Cobbler

Here are 10 variations you can try for Chicken Cobbler:

• Cheesy Chicken Cobbler: Add shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese to the biscuit topping for a cheesy twist.
• Spicy Chicken Cobbler: Add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
• Chicken and Mushroom Cobbler: Add sautéed mushrooms to the filling for an earthy, savory flavor.
• Buffalo Chicken Cobbler: Use shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with buffalo sauce for a spicy, tangy variation.
• Turkey Cobbler: Substitute cooked turkey for the chicken for a festive, post-Thanksgiving dish.
• Vegetarian Cobbler: Use tofu or a variety of vegetables (like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and zucchini) instead of chicken for a vegetarian version.
• Chicken Pot Pie Cobbler: Add potatoes and use frozen peas and carrots for a classic pot pie flavor.
• Herbed Biscuit Topping: Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives to the biscuit dough for extra flavor.
• Biscuits on the Side: Instead of baking the biscuit topping on the filling, serve freshly baked biscuits alongside the filling.
• Slow Cooker Chicken Cobbler: Make the filling in the slow cooker, and top it with biscuit dough for a set-it-and-forget-it version.

Freezing and Storage for Chicken Cobbler

• Freezing: You can freeze Chicken Cobbler before baking. Assemble the cobbler in a greased baking dish, cover it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed.
• Storage: Store leftover Chicken Cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Special Equipment for Chicken Cobbler

Here are some special equipment items to make preparing Chicken Cobbler easier:

• Large Skillet: A large skillet is essential for cooking the filling and sautéing the vegetables.
• Casserole Dish or Baking Dish: A 9×9-inch baking dish works well for this recipe, but you can also use any similar-sized dish.
• Pastry Cutter: A pastry cutter helps cut the butter into the flour for the biscuit topping.
• Mixing Bowls: Use mixing bowls for combining the biscuit ingredients and the chicken filling.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key for both the biscuit dough and filling.

Frequently Asked Questions for Chicken Cobbler

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
   Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly before using it in the recipe.
2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
   Yes, you can assemble the chicken cobbler in advance and refrigerate it before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
3. Can I use a different topping?
   If you prefer, you can use mashed potatoes or a puff pastry topping instead of the biscuit topping.
4. Can I make Chicken Cobbler with leftover rotisserie chicken?
   Yes, rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds wonderful flavor to the dish.
5. How do I know when the cobbler is done?
   The biscuit topping should be golden brown, and the filling should be bubbling around the edges. If the biscuit topping is lightly golden, it’s done.

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Conclusion

Chicken Cobbler is the ultimate comfort food, combining creamy chicken and vegetables with a fluffy, golden biscuit topping. It’s a hearty, satisfying dish that’s perfect for cozy family dinners, potlucks, or even busy weeknight meals. With its warm, savory flavors and comforting texture, this dish is a go-to recipe for any occasion.

This recipe is easy to prepare and highly customizable—feel free to add your favorite vegetables or seasonings to make it your own. Whether you’re serving it on a cold winter evening or as a crowd-pleasing dish for a gathering, Chicken Cobbler delivers deliciousness in every bite.

I’d love to see how your Chicken Cobbler turns out! Snap a photo, share it on social media, and don’t forget to tag me—I can’t wait to see your delicious creations. Happy cooking!