This Cheddar Bay Chicken Cobbler is a comforting dish full of tender chicken, veggies, and cheese, all topped with a delicious biscuit crust. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl!
I always look forward to that cheesy, buttery topping—it’s the best part! Serve it with a green salad for a fun family meal everyone will love. Who can say no to cheese, right? 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is my go-to for this dish. It saves time and is packed with flavor. If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, any leftover cooked chicken or even canned chicken would work in a pinch.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: I love using sharp cheddar for a stronger flavor. If you need a milder taste, medium cheddar or Monterey Jack are good alternatives. For a treat, try adding a bit of pepper jack cheese for some spice!
Self-Rising Flour: This is used for the biscuit topping. If you don’t have it, you can make your own by mixing all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt (1 cup flour + 1.5 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt).
Vegetables: The recipe includes optional mushrooms and peas and carrots. Feel free to swap them with whatever veggies you have on hand, like corn, green beans, or diced bell peppers for added color and nutrition.
How Do I Make Sure My Biscuits Are Fluffy and Delicious?
Creating the perfect biscuit topping is key to this cobbler. Here are some tips for making fluffy biscuits:
- Use cold butter: Cold butter helps create steam during baking, which makes the biscuits rise.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the dough just enough to combine ingredients. This prevents tough biscuits.
- Drop from a spoon: When placing biscuit dough on top of the filling, let it drop from the spoon instead of trying to roll it out. This keeps them soft and fluffy.
- Brush with butter: Brushing with melted butter right after baking adds flavor and a nice shine to the biscuits!
With these insights and tips, your Cheddar Bay Chicken Cobbler is sure to impress! Enjoy!
Cheddar Bay Chicken Cobbler
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Chicken Filling:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
For the Biscuits:
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 3/4 cup milk
For the Topping:
- 2 tbsp melted butter mixed with 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 tsp parsley flakes
How Much Time Will You Need?
This cozy dish takes about 15 minutes to prepare and another 30 minutes to bake, making it a total of approximately 45 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C), so it’s hot and ready when your delicious cobbler is assembled.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté them until the onions become translucent, which should take about 3-4 minutes. If you’re using mushrooms and frozen peas/carrots, toss them in now and cook for an additional 3 minutes until they’re tender.
3. Thicken the Mixture:
Sprinkle the flour over the cooked vegetables, stirring well to combine. Let it cook for about 1-2 minutes to remove any raw flour taste.
4. Add Liquids and Cheese:
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk while stirring continuously, which will help prevent lumps. Continue cooking this mixture until it thickens, which should take around 5 minutes. Once thickened, stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and thyme leaves until the cheese melts into the sauce.
5. Combine with Chicken:
Fold in your cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring thoroughly to combine everything, and then pour this mixture evenly into a greased baking dish (about 9×13 inches).
6. Prepare the Biscuit Topping:
In a separate bowl, mix the self-rising flour and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Then, stir in the milk until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
7. Assemble the Cobbler:
Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the creamy chicken mixture in the baking dish, spacing them out evenly.
8. Bake:
Place the dish in the oven (that should be hot now) and bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is golden brown and fully cooked.
9. Final Touches:
Once baked, remove the cobbler from the oven and immediately brush the biscuits with the melted butter mixed with garlic powder and parsley. This adds delicious flavor and that signature Cheddar Bay touch!
10. Serve and Enjoy:
If you’d like, garnish with fresh thyme or parsley. Then, dish up and enjoy your comforting Cheddar Bay Chicken Cobbler!
Happy cooking! Enjoy every cheesy, delicious bite!
Can I Use Frozen Chicken in This Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken! Just make sure to fully thaw it first. Thawing overnight in the fridge or using the cold water method (sealed in a plastic bag) works best. Once thawed, cook the chicken before adding it to the filling.
Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken filling and the biscuit dough a day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. When ready to bake, combine them in the baking dish and bake as directed.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or in the microwave, stirring occasionally for even heating.
What Can I Serve with Cheddar Bay Chicken Cobbler?
This cobbler is hearty enough on its own, but you can serve it with a simple green salad or steamed veggies for a well-rounded meal. It pairs beautifully with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish!
