Preparing the Casserole Filling:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Make Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring to coat. Cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Combine: Add the shredded chicken, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
Preparing the Biscuits:
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Milk: Pour in the milk and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Shape Biscuits: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Pat it down into a thickness of about 1 inch. Use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out biscuit shapes. You can re-form the scraps to cut out more biscuits.
Assembling and Baking:
- Arrange Biscuits: Place the biscuits on top of the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Success:
- Chicken: You can cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs specifically for this recipe, or use leftover or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Vegetables: Feel free to customize the mix of vegetables based on what you have on hand or prefer.
- Biscuits: For a quicker version, you can use pre-made refrigerated biscuit dough instead of making your own.
This Chicken and Biscuits Casserole is a complete meal that combines the creaminess of a pot pie with the added delight of homemade biscuits. It’s sure to become a comforting favorite for both casual family dinners and special occasions.