Hey there fellow food lovers! Today I’m super excited to share one of my absolute favorite comfort food recipes – creamy chicken over biscuits. This dish has been a lifesaver on busy weeknights and has quickly become my family’s most requested dinner. There’s something magical about tender chicken smothered in a rich velvety sauce served over warm, flaky biscuits that just feels like a big warm hug on a plate.
I’ve made this recipe like a bazillion times (my mom would be so proud!), and I’ve picked up some tricks along the way that I can’t wait to share with you. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or something to impress your dinner guests, this creamy chicken over biscuits recipe has got you covered!
What Makes This Creamy Chicken Over Biscuits So Special?
Before diving into the recipe, let’s talk about why this dish deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation:
- Perfect comfort food – The combination of creamy sauce and buttery biscuits is unbeatable
- Versatile – Can be made with leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or freshly cooked chicken
- Family-friendly – Even picky eaters love this dish!
- Impressive enough for guests – Though simple, it feels fancy enough to serve to company
- Customizable – Add your favorite veggies to make it a complete meal
Ingredients You’ll Need for Creamy Chicken Over Biscuits
Let’s break this down into two parts – the biscuits and the creamy chicken topping.
For the Biscuits:
You have a few options here
Option 1: Make homemade biscuits from scratch
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup canola oil
Option 2: Use pre-made biscuits
- If you’re short on time, Pillsbury Grands or another store-bought option works just fine (my mom would approve!)
For the Creamy Chicken:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream (or milk for a lighter version)
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast meat
- Optional: 2 cups frozen green peas, thawed and drained
- Optional: 1 cup toasted sliced almonds
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Creamy Chicken Over Biscuits
Making the Biscuits:
If you’re going the homemade route (which I totally recommend!):
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Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and oil, then stir until the dough forms a ball.
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Knead the dough: On a lightly floured surface, knead 8-10 times or until smooth. Don’t overwork it – this is key for tender biscuits!
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Shape and cut: Roll or pat the dough into a 6-inch square about 1 inch thick. Cut into six rectangles.
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Bake: Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake at 450°F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Making the Creamy Chicken:
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Start the sauce base: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until tender.
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Create the roux: Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for about a minute, stirring constantly.
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Add the liquids: Gradually whisk in chicken broth and cream (or milk). Mix together and cook until thickened, stirring frequently.
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Add the chicken and extras: Stir in the cooked chicken, peas (if using), and almonds (if using). Heat through.
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Final touch: Add fresh parsley if desired.
Putting It All Together:
- Split the warm biscuits in half.
- Place the bottom halves on plates.
- Ladle the creamy chicken mixture over the biscuits.
- Top with the biscuit tops if desired, or leave open-faced.
- Sprinkle with additional fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Creamy Chicken Over Biscuits
After making this recipe countless times, I’ve picked up some helpful hints:
- Don’t overmix the biscuit dough – This can make them tough instead of tender
- Make the sauce thicker than you think – It will thin slightly when it hits the hot biscuits
- Use rotisserie chicken – For a super quick version, grab a rotisserie chicken from the store
- Try chicken thighs – They have more flavor than breast meat
- Add vegetables – Corn, carrots, or mushrooms make great additions
- Make ahead – The chicken mixture can be made ahead and reheated, just keep the biscuits separate until serving time
Variations to Try
One of the reasons I love this recipe is how adaptable it is! Here are some ways to switch things up:
1. Buttermilk Biscuits Version
Use buttermilk instead of regular milk in your biscuits for a slightly tangier flavor.
2. Herbed Chicken Version
Add 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme and rosemary to your chicken mixture.
3. Cheesy Biscuits Option
Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to your biscuit dough.
4. Spicy Kick Version
Add a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the creamy chicken mixture.
5. Vegetable-Loaded Option
Double the veggies – add carrots, celery, and mushrooms to make it a complete one-dish meal.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even though this recipe is pretty foolproof, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to fix common problems:
- Sauce too thin? Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir into the simmering sauce.
- Sauce too thick? Add a splash more broth or milk.
- Biscuits didn’t rise? Make sure your baking powder is fresh – it loses potency over time.
- Sauce tastes bland? Add a bit more salt, pepper, or try a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
The Shortcut Version (For Really Busy Days)
Look, I’m all about making things from scratch when possible, but I totally get that sometimes you need dinner on the table like, NOW. For those days, here’s the super quick version my mom taught me:
- Use canned biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands)
- Combine canned cream of chicken soup with shredded chicken and chicken broth
- Heat through and serve over the baked biscuits
Is it as good as the homemade version? No. Will it satisfy hungry people on a busy night? Absolutely!
Why I Love This Recipe (And You Will Too!)
I’ve gotta be honest – I’m kinda obsessed with this recipe. It’s one of those dishes that always makes everyone happy. My partner practically does a happy dance when he smells it cooking, and even my pickiest friend asks for seconds.
What makes it special to me is that it’s a dish that connects generations. My mom got it from my grandma, who probably got it from someone else. It’s comfort food with history, ya know? But I’ve put my own spin on it by making it from scratch rather than using the canned shortcuts my mom prefers (sorry, Mom!).
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (we rarely do!), here’s how to store and reheat:
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Storage: Store the biscuits and creamy chicken separately in airtight containers. Biscuits can be kept at room temperature for up to 5 days, while the chicken mixture should be refrigerated and used within 4 days.
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Reheating: Warm the chicken mixture in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. For the biscuits, a quick 10 seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in a 350°F oven will do the trick.
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Freezing: While the biscuits freeze well (wrap individually and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months), the creamy chicken sauce doesn’t freeze great because dairy sauces tend to separate when frozen and defrosted.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about serving up a dish that brings everyone to the table with smiles on their faces. This creamy chicken over biscuits recipe is comfort food at its finest – simple ingredients transformed into something truly special.
Until next time, happy cooking and enjoy those delicious moments around the table with your favorite people!
What’s your favorite comfort food classic? Have you tried making creamy chicken over biscuits before? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Why I Love This Creamy & Comforting Soup
Chicken and dumplings have always been my favorite dinner from childhood. Growing up, it was the ultimate comfort food that my mom would make on chilly evenings. If I have the time, I usually make my homemade chicken and dumplings from scratch. However, this is my go-to version when I have a craving, but am short on time. Here’s why I think you are going to love it too:
- Quick and Easy: This easy chicken and dumplings recipe is perfect for beginning and seasoned cooks alike. Follow the simple steps and in just 30 minutes, you will have a bowl full of comfort!
- One-Pot: This easy version uses canned biscuits for the dumplings and canned cream of chicken as the gravy base. Made all in one pot, cleanup couldn’t be any easier!
- Hearty: With lots of chicken, root vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, this is absolutely a complete meal all on its own.
- Crowd Favorite: Loved by both kids and adults, it’s an easy go-to family dinner! Double the recipe and you can easily feed a crowd!
With a 30 minute goal in mind, plan on using a few readily available shortcuts. Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make this easy chicken and dumplings recipe with biscuits. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Chicken: You need 3 cups of chopped or shredded, cooked chicken. Use rotisserie, canned, frozen precooked, or leftover chicken. You can easily make your own shredded chicken using chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts or a whole chicken.
- Evaporated Milk: Canned evaporated milk is the secret weapon in this dish. Thick, rich and lower in fat than heavy cream, this inexpensive, shelf stable ingredient makes the creamiest chicken and dumplings.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: You can use any flavor of canned condensed “cream of” style soup. I like the flavor best from cream of chicken soup, but cream of onion or celery are good substitutes.
- Canned Biscuits: Choose refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into fourths and then tossed in flour to prevent them from sticking. Canned biscuits are a quick and easy swap for time consuming handmade dumplings from scratch.
Chef’s Tips and Variations
- Dumplings: Buy plain, large (16.3 ounces) southern buttermilk style biscuits. “Homestyle” biscuits also work well, but do not buy the flaky biscuits. If you can only find the smaller sized biscuits, cut them in half, not fourths, so they don’t disappear.
- Make Ahead: If interrupted, wait to add the biscuits. Prep the gravy base and turn down the heat to a very low simmer. 10 minutes before serving, turn up the heat until gravy is bubbly. Add broth to loosen if needed and add cut biscuits at the end of cook time.
- Flour: Don’t skip tossing the cut biscuits in all-purpose flour as this prevents sticking. It also thickens the gravy base too.
- Time: Add the dumplings and adhere to the cook time before serving. The dumplings will disappear if left to simmer too long.
- Herbs: Add a large pinch of dried poultry seasoning to the gravy, if you have it. The mixture of thyme, sage, rosemary and nutmeg provide an easy way to amp up the flavor a little. You can also throw in a bay leaf or thyme.
- Crockpot: Let the slow cooker do the work with this crock pot chicken and dumplings (with homemade dumplings) or easy slow cooker chicken and dumplings (with canned biscuits). You also may enjoy my instant pot chicken and dumplings!
“Help! I need a budget meal that tastes good!” Try this homemade creamed chicken over biscuits.
FAQ
What is creamed chicken over biscuits?
Read our disclosure policy. Creamed Chicken Over Biscuits is a classic comfort food dish that combines tender shredded chicken, peas, carrots, and a rich, flavorful sauce. The creamy, buttery base is elevated with aromatic onions, thyme, and just the right amount of seasoning to create a meal that’s sure to warm your heart.
How do you make creamed chicken for biscuits?
To make creamed chicken for biscuits, start by cooking chopped onions, carrots, and celery in butter until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in flour to create a roux, then gradually whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream until the sauce thickens. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Can you make creamed chicken over biscuits ahead of time?
Yes, you can make creamed chicken over biscuits ahead of time. Prepare the creamed chicken mixture and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat the chicken mixture on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally.
What is Pioneer Woman creamed chicken over biscuits?
Pioneer Woman Creamed Chicken Over Biscuits is a delicious, homestyle meal featuring cooked chicken pieces smothered in a creamy sauce, served over freshly baked biscuits. This dish is known for its rich, savory flavors and satisfying textures, making it a popular choice for comforting meals.
Can you make homemade chicken gravy & biscuits?
This old-fashioned recipe for homemade chicken gravy and biscuits is easy comfort food. Creamed Chicken Over Biscuits is filling and flavorful. Tarragon adds a special taste to this main dish, but this quick recipe will likely still remind you of grandma’s kitchen. This post contains affiliate links.
What kind of chicken is best for creamed chicken over biscuits?
For creamed chicken over biscuits, using cooked, shredded chicken is best. Rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works perfectly. These options save time and add great flavor to the dish. You can also poach or roast chicken breasts if you prefer freshly cooked chicken.