MAMA’S CHICKEN BISCUIT PIE

This savory chicken cobbler has a fluffy golden biscuit topping. I love serving this dish to the family. It is just homey goodness, like a big biscuit comforter spread over a bed of vegetables and tender chicken—all wrapped up in a golden cream sauce!

Makes 6 servings

BISCUIT TOPPING

1 CUP SELF-RISING FLOUR

8 TABLESPOONS (1 STICK) BUTTER

½ TEASPOON SALT

¼ TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1 CUP MILK

FILLING

2 TABLESPOONS SALTED BUTTER

2 HEAPING TABLESPOONS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

1 CUP HEAVY (WHIPPING) CREAM

1½ CUPS CHICKEN BROTH

½ TEASPOON CHICKEN BASE

SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

½ CUP FINELY DICED ONION

½ CUP FINELY DICED CARROT

⅓ CUP FROZEN GREEN PEAS

1 JALAPEÑO, SEEDED AND FINELY DICED

1 BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST, COOKED AND CUT INTO SMALL PIECES (ABOUT 1½ CUPS)

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F.

2. Make the biscuit topping: Using a pastry blender or two table knives, cut the flour, butter, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl until the consistency of crumbs. Add the milk and stir just until combined. The dough will be on the wet side. Set aside.

3. Make the filling: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk until it becomes a smooth, thick paste. Cook until barely golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in the cream and chicken stock and cook, continuing to whisk, until the mixture begins to thicken, like a gravy. Add the chicken base and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the onion, carrot, peas, jalapeño, and chicken and mix well.

4. Pour the mixture into the pie pan. Using a large spoon, drop the dough on top of the filling to create the biscuit topping. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but make sure to cover the entire surface with the dough pieces.

5. Bake the pie until the biscuit topping is golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.

SOUTHERN MOTHER: When someone has a baby, after the initial flurry of guests—about three weeks in—my mother will drop by the new parents’ home with this fluffy biscuit-topped treat. Her timing for this lovely gesture is usually spot-on.