The Ultimate Weeknight Comfort Easy Cheesy Chicken Cobbler using Red Lobster Biscuit Mix

Easy Cheesy Chicken Cobbler

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:35 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• Tablespoons unsalted butter
• medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• medium carrots, diced small
• celery stalks, diced small
• /4 cup all-purpose flour
• cups low-sodium chicken broth
• /2 cup heavy cream
• cup frozen peas (do not thaw)
• /2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix (approx. 11.3 oz)
• /2 cup extra shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or a large oven-safe skillet.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
• Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables. Stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste, creating a roux.
• Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring until it thickens slightly. Stir in the heavy cream, cooked chicken, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in the frozen peas. Pour the entire filling mixture into your prepared baking dish if you did not use an oven-safe skillet.
• Prepare the biscuit topping dough strictly according to the directions on the Red Lobster Biscuit Mix box (usually requires water/oil). Stir in 1/4 cup of the reserved shredded cheddar cheese into the dough if using.
• Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the hot chicken filling, ensuring good coverage. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the topping.
• Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown, cooked through, and the filling is bubbling fiercely around the edges.
• Let the cobbler rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:802 kcal

Protein:18.4 g

Fat:25.4 g

Carbs:62.2 g

Fiber:16.1 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:624 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course, Casserole

Cuisine:American

The Mid-Week Savior: Why This Cobbler Beats Takeout

When the week starts hitting its stride, usually around Wednesday or Thursday, the siren song of the delivery app becomes almost irresistible. But what if I told you that you could achieve deep, savory satisfaction—the kind that usually requires hours of simmering—in under an hour? This Easy Chicken Cobbler Dinner Casserole isn't just another Tuesday night meal; it’s a culinary hug in a baking dish. It takes the best, heartiest elements of a traditional Easy Chicken Stew Casserole and pairs them with a delightfully simple, cheesy topping. It’s the ideal solution when you need truly satisfying Comfort Casseroles Dinners that the entire family, even the pickiest eaters, will devour. This recipe manages to deliver phenomenal flavor with minimal active effort, making it a staple for busy households looking for Easy Dinners Big Family meals.

Unlocking the 'Cheater's Red Lobster Style' Magic

The secret weapon in this entire operation is a delightful shortcut that elevates this dish from merely "good" to "why didn't I think of that?" We’re leaning heavily on the magic found in a box of cheddar biscuit mix. This technique transforms what could be a fussy baking project into something anyone can master, positioning it perfectly as a go-to Mid-week Chicken Dinner .

Introducing the Easiest Chicken Cobbler Dinner Casserole You'll Ever Make

This isn't the kind of biscuit topping that requires cold butter and a pastry cutter; we are aiming for ease and maximum cheesy payoff. By utilizing a store-bought mix, we shave off at least 30 minutes of prep time while still achieving that signature golden, fluffy exterior we crave. If you're looking for a reliable Dinner Idea For Large Group that impresses without stressing you out, this is it.

Comfort Food Reimagined: Speed Without Sacrificing Flavor

We begin by building a deeply savory chicken filling. Think slow-cooked chicken stew texture—rich, creamy, loaded with tender vegetables—but achieved rapidly. We use a simple roux made right in the pan to thicken the broth, integrating chicken, cream, and herbs into a base that tastes like it simmered all day, ensuring every bite is pure comfort.

The Genius Shortcut That Makes This Dish Weeknight-Ready

The brilliance lies in the Fluffy Biscuit Topping Casserole execution. Instead of tackling traditional scones, we prepare the biscuit dough according to package directions, often just adding water or milk, and fold in extra shredded cheddar. Dropping dollops of this rich dough over the hot filling guarantees a tender, slightly crisp, cheesy lid when baked. This is truly a phenomenal Chicken Casserole Recipe upgrade.

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Gathering Your Star Components for This Comfort Casserole

To pull off this masterpiece in about 55 minutes total, organization is key. We are dividing our ingredients into two main camps: the rich, savory stew base and the quick, glorious topping. For the 3 cups of cooked chicken required, I wholeheartedly recommend shredding a store-bought rotisserie chicken—it’s the ultimate time-saver for this type of Easy Chicken Stew Casserole .

Stocking the Pantry for Fluffy Topping Success

The magic ingredient here is the boxed cheddar biscuit mix, roughly 11.3 ounces. This component handles the heavy lifting of flavor and texture for the topping. Alongside this, ensure you have about half a cup of extra sharp cheddar cheese reserved for folding into the dough and sprinkling on top for that beautiful, golden finish. Remember, the biscuit mix usually calls for just water or oil, so check your box instructions before you begin!

The Creamy Filling Base: Must-Have Core Ingredients

The filling requires classic aromatics: one medium yellow onion, two carrots, and two celery stalks, all diced small so they cook quickly and evenly. We build the sauce foundation with 3 tablespoons of butter, a quarter cup of all-purpose flour to create our quick roux, 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, and half a cup of rich heavy cream to give it body. Don't forget the flavor boosters: dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, plus a cup of frozen peas stirred in right at the end for a pop of color and sweetness.

Essential Tools for Assembling Your Easy Chicken Cobbler Dinner Casserole

You’ll need a large oven-safe skillet, ideally 10 to 12 inches, to cook and bake in one vessel. If you don't have one, a standard 9x13-inch baking dish works perfectly for containing the bubbling filling. Beyond that, a few standard measuring tools, a large bowl for mixing the topping dough, and a sturdy wooden spoon for stirring the roux are all you need to assemble this Fun Kid Friendly Dinners favourite.

Building Your Flavor Layers: From Prep to Perfection

The process moves quickly once you start cooking. We move efficiently from sautéing vegetables to creating the thick sauce, and finally, topping it all off with the biscuit dough for baking.

Step 1: Creating the Rich, Savory Chicken Stew Foundation

Begin by melting the butter over medium heat in your chosen oven-safe skillet. Add your diced onion, carrots, and celery. Let these cook gently for about five to seven minutes until they soften beautifully, releasing their natural sugars. Next, sprinkle the quarter cup of flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for a full minute. This crucial step cooks the raw taste out of the flour, forming a light roux. Now, slowly whisk in the 2 cups of chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Once smooth, stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer until it thickens enough to coat the back of your spoon. Finally, fold in your 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken, the frozen peas, dried thyme, and season carefully with salt and pepper. Taste it now—it should be robustly seasoned!

Step 2: Whisking Together the Fluffy Cobbler Topping Mixture

While the filling heats through, turn your attention to the topping. In a separate large bowl, prepare the contents of the cheddar biscuit mix according to the package directions, using only the specified liquid. Mix only until just combined—overmixing develops gluten and leads to dense, rather than fluffy, results. Once the dough comes together, gently fold in about a quarter cup of the reserved shredded cheddar cheese if you desire an extra cheesy lift within the biscuit itself.

Step 3: Layering and Baking for Maximum Deliciousness

Transfer the hot chicken filling from the skillet into your 9x13 baking dish if you weren't using an oven-safe skillet. Then, working quickly, drop generous spoonfuls of the prepared biscuit dough evenly over the entire surface of the hot filling. Ensure you leave small gaps between the dollops so steam can escape and the biscuits can rise properly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tops of the biscuit mounds. Preheat your oven to 400° F ( 200° C) before you start cooking, and slide the casserole in for 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 4: Resting Time – The Secret to a Stable Slice

The casserole is ready when the topping is deeply golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a biscuit comes out clean, while the filling is visibly bubbling vigorously around the edges. Resist the urge to dive in immediately! Allowing the Easy Chicken Cobbler Dinner Casserole to rest on the counter for a full 5 to 10 minutes helps the sauce set slightly, ensuring you get beautiful, cohesive slices rather than a runny mess.

Maximizing Flavor and Leftovers for Your Easy Chicken Cobbler Dinner Casserole

Even the best comfort food benefits from a little personalization and smart planning for the days ahead.

Customizing Your Casserole Experience

While this Chicken Casserole Recipe is designed for speed, you have plenty of levers to pull to adjust the flavor profile. For a deeper, smokier note that complements the savory filling, consider adding half a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the roux in Step 1. If you prefer a little heat, a small pinch of cayenne pepper stirred into the filling provides a pleasant warmth without overwhelming the Fun Kid Friendly Dinners appeal.

Storage Strategies: Keeping Leftovers Fresh for Days

This dish reheats exceptionally well, making it fantastic for lunch the next day. Once cooled, cover the remaining casserole tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to four days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, covering them loosely with a paper towel to keep the topping from getting overly saturated. For a crispier topping on leftovers, reheat in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until the filling is piping hot.

Creative Variations: Swapping Veggies and Herbs

Don't feel tied strictly to carrots, celery, and peas. Feel free to substitute with other quick-cooking vegetables. Chopped mushrooms sautéed alongside the onions add an earthy depth, or you can swap the thyme for a teaspoon of dried poultry seasoning, particularly if you have turkey leftovers instead of chicken. These small tweaks keep the flavor fresh even when serving this Dinner Idea For Large Group multiple times in one month.

Nutritional Insights: Making Smart Swaps for Lighter Fare

It’s worth noting that because we use a pre-packaged mix and heavy cream, this dish leans towards the decadent side. If you are aiming for a lighter meal, you can substitute the heavy cream with evaporated milk or half-and-half. On top of that,, while the biscuit mix is the key shortcut, if you must skip it, a simple drop-biscuit recipe made with whole wheat flour and low-fat buttermilk will still yield a wonderful, albeit slightly less cheesy, Fluffy Biscuit Topping Casserole . Just remember that substitutions can slightly alter the required baking time.