What is Chicken Cobbler? An Easy, Comforting Casserole Explained

Chicken cobbler is a delicious comforting casserole that combines chicken vegetables, a flaky biscuit topping, and savory sauce. It’s a simple one-dish meal that can easily feed a crowd. But what exactly is chicken cobbler and how did it become so popular? Let’s take a closer look at this crowd-pleasing dish.

A Brief History of Chicken Cobbler

Chicken cobbler likely originated in the American South where casserole dishes and pot pies were common. Early versions were made by topping a chicken stew with simple biscuit dough or dumplings and baking. The biscuit dough on top resembled cobblestone roads, hence the name “cobbler.”

Over time, chicken cobblers evolved into a quicker weeknight dish made by layering cooked chicken, frozen vegetables, and canned soup or gravy in a baking dish and topping with store-bought biscuit dough or baking mix.

Recently, chicken cobbler has seen a surge in popularity thanks to social media. In particular, TikTok creator Jessica Woo gained viral fame for her simple chicken cobbler recipe in 2020. Her shortcut version with rotisserie chicken, pancake mix, milk, and condensed soup has been viewed over 10 million times!

How to Make Chicken Cobbler

While recipes can vary, most chicken cobblers follow a similar formula:

• Chicken – Shredded rotisserie chicken or diced cooked chicken. Breast meat or a combo of white and dark meat both work well.

• Vegetables – Frozen mixed veggies like carrots, peas, corn, and green beans are commonly used for convenience. Onions, celery, potatoes, or other veggies can also be added.

• Sauce – Condensed soups, especially cream of chicken, add lots of flavor. Chicken broth thickened with a roux also works.

• Topping – Biscuit dough, baking mix, or soda dough dropped in dollops or rolled and cut into squares.

• Seasonings – Garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, etc. customize the flavor.

To make it, cook the chicken and sauté any fresh veggies. Combine with frozen veggies, sauce, and seasonings in a baking dish. Top with drops or pieces of dough. Bake at 375F until bubbly and the topping is golden brown, around 30-45 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Why is Chicken Cobbler so Popular?

There are several reasons chicken cobbler has recently blown up:

• It’s simple – With mostly pantry ingredients, it comes together easily. No pie dough rolling required.

• It’s budget-friendly – Chicken and frozen veggies keep costs low. Canned soup adds flavor without much expense.

• It’s comforting – The savory sauce and tender biscuits are deeply satisfying.

• It’s customizable – Swap ingredients to suit your tastes or what you have on hand.

• It feeds a crowd – Chicken cobblers bake up in large casserole dishes perfect for potlucks.

• It reheats well – Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated throughout the week.

Tips for Making the Best Chicken Cobbler

Here are some tips for maximizing flavor and getting the perfect crispy biscuit topping:

• Allow the baked chicken to cool before shredding to prevent mushy chicken.

• Cook any raw veggies like onion, celery, or potato until fork tender before adding.

• Sprinkle biscuit dough pieces rather than dollops for maximum crunchy sides.

• Brush biscuit dough with milk or butter before baking for a glossy sheen.

• Bake until topping is deeply golden, not just lightly browned.

• Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving so the sauce sets up.

• Garnish with parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Get Creative with Chicken Cobbler

One of the best things about chicken cobbler is how customizable it is. Consider these fun ways to put your own spin on it:

• Use unexpected doughs like pizza dough, puff pastry, or croissants for the topping.

• Add different proteins like turkey, ham, sausage, or plant-based meat.

• Swap in various veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, squash, or sweet potatoes.

• Mix up the sauce with mushroom, beef stroganoff, or cream of celery condensed soups.

• Top with cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan for ooey-gooey baked goodness.

• Season with spice blends like Italian, Southwest, or Greek to complement the ingredients.

• Make it a complete meal with a side salad or veggie like roasted broccoli.

Is Chicken Cobbler Healthy?

While not the lightest dish, chicken cobbler can be made relatively healthy. Using milk and whole wheat baking mixes adds more nutrition than heavy cream-based recipes. Loading it up with veggies boosts vitamins. Portion sizes around 1 cup provide a balance of carbs, protein, and produce. Compared to fried fast food, baked chicken cobbler is certainly a healthier option. Those watching calories or carbs can skip biscuit dough and use mashed cauliflower on top instead. Overall, enjoy chicken cobbler in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Chicken cobbler brings together comforting flavors like chicken, biscuits, and savory gravy into one easy baked casserole. Its versatility, budget-friendly ingredients, and crowd-pleasing taste help explain why it has recently exploded in popularity thanks to viral online recipes. This satisfying Southern classic is sure to remain a staple for easy weeknight dinners, potlucks, and anytime you need a hearty meal that feels like a warm hug. Topped with crunchy biscuits, creamy sauce, and tender chicken, chicken cobbler is hard to beat!

A cobbler is a baked dessert, typically made with a fruit filling and a biscuit or dumpling topping. The fruit, often peaches, berries, or apples, is placed in a baking dish and topped with a batter, biscuit dough, or dumpling mixture.

The main difference between a cobbler and a pie lies in the crust. A pie typically has a bottom crust and often a top crust, while a cobbler has a fruit filling on the bottom and a biscuit or dough topping.