Easy Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Casserole: The Ultimate One-Pan Comfort Food Recipe

When the craving for a hearty, comforting meal strikes, few dishes can rival the classic chicken pot pie. However, the traditional pastry crust, while delicious, can sometimes be a barrier to enjoying this beloved dish on a busy weeknight. Enter the Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Casserole – a brilliant culinary innovation that captures all the heartwarming essence of its classic counterpart but simplifies the process significantly. This ingenious recipe transforms a beloved pie into an effortless, one-pan casserole, offering tender chicken, an abundance of colorful vegetables, and a rich, creamy sauce, all topped with fluffy, golden biscuits. It’s the perfect solution for a satisfying taste of home with a modern, fuss-free twist, making it an ideal candidate for your regular dinner rotation.

Imagine a bubbling hot skillet, brimming with succulent chicken and vibrant veggies, enveloped in a savory, herb-infused gravy, crowned with tender, cheesy biscuits. That’s precisely what this Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Casserole delivers. Not only does it streamline the cooking process by eliminating the need for a separate pie crust, but it also minimizes cleanup, as everything comes together and is baked in a single oven-safe skillet. This makes it an incredibly appealing option for home cooks looking to create a delicious, wholesome meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the culinary world, this recipe is designed for ease, flavor, and ultimate comfort, proving that delicious home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating this delightful skillet supper. Many of these items are likely staples in your pantry and freezer, making this a convenient meal to whip up on short notice. The combination of fresh and frozen elements ensures both robust flavor and cooking efficiency, helping you achieve a gourmet-tasting dish with minimal effort.

For the Filling:

3 cups cooked chicken, diced: Using pre-cooked chicken, such as a flavorful rotisserie chicken from the grocery store or simply leftover roasted chicken, significantly cuts down on prep time. Dicing the chicken into bite-sized pieces ensures even distribution throughout the creamy casserole. Shredded chicken also works beautifully for a different texture.
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables: A classic blend typically includes carrots, peas, corn, and green beans. These frozen varieties are a convenient time-saver and retain their nutrients, adding vibrant color and essential vitamins to your pot pie. No need to thaw them beforehand!
1 small onion, finely chopped: This aromatic vegetable forms the foundational base for our savory sauce. When sautéed, it sweetens and deepens the overall flavor profile of the casserole.
3 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic is essential for adding a pungent, robust depth of flavor that complements the chicken and vegetables beautifully, elevating the sauce beyond simple creaminess.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter: Butter provides richness and forms the essential fat component of our roux, which is crucial for achieving a thick, velvety texture for the pot pie filling.
1/4 cup all-purpose flour: This flour is the thickening agent for the sauce. When combined with butter, it creates a roux, ensuring your filling achieves that luxurious, gravy-like consistency.
2 1/2 cups chicken broth: The primary liquid base for the sauce, chicken broth infuses the entire filling with a savory, comforting chicken flavor. Opt for low-sodium broth if you prefer more control over the salt content of your dish.
1/2 cup whole milk: Adds an extra layer of creaminess and richness to the sauce, helping it achieve that classic, indulgent pot pie consistency. Half-and-half or heavy cream can also be used for an even richer result.
1 teaspoon dried thyme: A quintessential herb for chicken pot pie, dried thyme offers an earthy, slightly minty, and subtly peppery aroma that enhances the overall flavor profile, giving it that familiar, comforting taste.
Salt and black pepper to taste: Crucial for seasoning and balancing all the flavors within the filling. Start with a moderate amount and adjust after the sauce has thickened, as broth can vary in sodium content.

For the Topping:

2 cups biscuit mix: A fantastic shortcut for creating a quick, fluffy, and tender topping. Popular brands like Bisquick or your preferred store brand work perfectly, making the topping prep incredibly fast.
2/3 cup whole milk: Used to hydrate the biscuit mix, creating a soft, pliable dough that bakes into golden, tender biscuits. Cold milk is often recommended for the flakiest results.
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese: This addition to the topping provides a delightful savory, tangy note and melts into a golden, bubbly crust that adds texture and extra flavor to each bite. Sharp or medium cheddar works best.
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish): While optional, a sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end adds a vibrant pop of color, a touch of fresh herbaceousness, and elevates the visual appeal of the finished casserole.

Instructions

Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to bring your Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Casserole to life. Each stage is designed for maximum flavor development and minimal effort, ensuring a delicious and satisfying result every time. Remember, the beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the ability to achieve gourmet-level comfort food right in your kitchen.

Preparing the Filling:

Melt the Butter: Begin by placing a large, ovenproof skillet (a 10-inch or 12-inch cast iron skillet is ideal for its even heat distribution and oven-to-table appeal) over medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and allow it to melt completely. Ensure the butter is shimmering but not browning too quickly; this creates a perfect base for the aromatics.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the melted butter. Sauté gently, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the onion becomes translucent and softened, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes. This process is crucial for developing the foundational sweet and savory flavors for your sauce.
Create a Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the sautéed onion and garlic in the skillet. Immediately begin stirring continuously with a whisk or wooden spoon to combine the flour with the butter and aromatics, forming a smooth paste known as a roux. Continue cooking the roux for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture turns a light golden color and smells slightly nutty. Cooking the flour properly eliminates any raw flour taste from the finished sauce.
Whisk in Liquids Gradually: Gradually pour in the chicken broth and whole milk, adding a small amount at a time (about 1/2 cup) while whisking constantly and vigorously. This gradual addition and continuous whisking are absolutely crucial to prevent lumps and ensure a silky-smooth, creamy sauce. Continue whisking until all the liquid is incorporated and the mixture begins to smooth out and thicken.
Simmer and Thicken Sauce: Stir in the dried thyme, along with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and allow it to thicken for approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce should achieve a creamy, gravy-like consistency that coats the back of a spoon. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings (salt, pepper, or more thyme) as needed, keeping in mind the cheese will add saltiness later.
Combine Chicken and Vegetables: Carefully add the cooked diced chicken and the frozen mixed vegetables directly into the thickened sauce in the skillet. Stir gently until all the ingredients are well combined and thoroughly heated through. The warmth of the sauce will help to gently thaw and warm the frozen vegetables without overcooking them. Remove the skillet from the heat momentarily while you prepare the topping.

Creating the Topping:

Prepare Biscuit Dough: In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and the 2/3 cup whole milk. Stir with a spoon or spatula until just combined. It’s vitally important to avoid overmixing the dough, as this can lead to tough, dry biscuits. A few small lumps in the dough are perfectly fine; the goal is to mix just enough until no dry streaks of the biscuit mix remain visible.

Assembling and Baking:

Preheat Broiler: Before assembling, preheat your oven’s broiler. Position an oven rack about 6-8 inches from the heat source. This quick blast of high, direct heat is the key to achieving a perfectly golden brown and slightly crisp biscuit topping without overcooking the already hot and delicious filling.
Top the Casserole: Using a regular spoon or a small cookie scoop, carefully drop spoonfuls of the prepared biscuit mixture evenly over the hot chicken and vegetable filling in the skillet. Don’t worry about achieving perfect coverage; the biscuits will expand and spread as they cook. Once the biscuit dollops are in place, generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the entire topping. The cheese will melt beautifully and brown, adding another delightful layer of flavor and texture.
Broil to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated broiler. Cook for approximately 3-5 minutes, but it is absolutely essential to keep a very close eye on it. Broilers can vary greatly in intensity, and biscuits can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. Watch for the biscuit topping to puff up, turn a beautiful golden brown color, and for the cheese to be bubbly and melted.
Garnish and Serve: Once the topping is perfectly golden and bubbly, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Remember that the skillet handle will be extremely hot, so always use oven mitts. Garnish the Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with the chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant finish and an extra touch of freshness. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving directly from the skillet, as the filling will be piping hot and retains heat for a while.

Cook’s Notes & Expert Tips

Elevate your Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with these handy tips and creative variations. These insights will help you customize the dish to your preference, troubleshoot common issues, and ensure a perfect, crowd-pleasing result every time you make it.

Cooking Chicken Variations: The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. While a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a phenomenal time-saver, feel free to use any leftover roasted chicken, boiled chicken breasts shredded or diced, or even quickly pan-seared chicken. If you’re cooking chicken specifically for this recipe, season it well with salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika or poultry seasoning before cooking to infuse extra flavor directly into the meat.
Vegetable Freedom: Don’t feel confined to the classic mixed vegetables. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to whatever you have on hand or what’s in season! Consider adding sautéed sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers (red or green), fresh spinach (stirred in at the very end until just wilted), or even diced, pre-cooked potatoes for extra heartiness. If using fresh hard vegetables like carrots or potatoes, blanching them briefly beforehand can help ensure they cook evenly with the rest of the filling.
Homemade Biscuit Mix Option: If you prefer to make your biscuit topping from scratch or don’t have a store-bought mix on hand, it’s incredibly easy and often yields a fresher flavor! In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and optionally 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder for an extra savory kick. Cut in 1/3 cup (about 5 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cubed, using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then, simply proceed with mixing in the 2/3 cup whole milk as directed in the recipe.
Cheese Exploration: The choice of cheese can significantly alter the casserole’s flavor profile. While sharp cheddar offers a delightful tang and excellent melting properties, don’t hesitate to experiment. Gruyère provides a nutty, earthy depth; smoked Gouda adds a unique smoky sweetness; and a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella can create a savory, stretchy topping. Feel free to use what you love!
Serving Suggestions: This Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is a robust and complete meal in itself, brimming with protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates. However, it pairs beautifully with a simple, crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. A side of cranberry sauce offers a lovely tart contrast, or a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche on top can add extra creaminess and tang.
Make-Ahead Tips: To make weeknight dinners even smoother, you can prepare the chicken and vegetable filling ahead of time. Cook the filling as directed, let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When ready to bake, transfer the cold filling to your skillet, warm it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, then proceed with preparing and adding the biscuit topping before broiling.
Storage and Reheating Leftovers: Any leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, individual portions can be warmed gently in the microwave. For larger amounts, cover the skillet loosely with aluminum foil and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. The biscuit topping might lose some of its original crispness, but the flavors of the filling will still be absolutely delicious.
Skillet Selection: A good quality ovenproof skillet is paramount for this recipe. Cast iron skillets are an excellent choice as they retain and distribute heat very evenly, ensuring a consistently cooked filling and a beautifully browned topping. Ensure your skillet is adequately seasoned to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup. If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, you can transfer the filling to a baking dish before adding the topping and broiling.

The Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Casserole truly embodies the spirit of comfort food – deeply satisfying, rich in flavor, and incredibly easy to prepare. It’s a modern twist on a timeless classic, designed to bring warmth and joy to your dinner table without the fuss of traditional baking. Whether you’re navigating a busy week, seeking a cozy meal for a chilly evening, or simply yearning for that nostalgic taste of home, this one-pan wonder delivers every time. Gather your loved ones, dish out generous portions, and savor the delightful blend of tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a creamy, herb-infused sauce, all topped with golden, cheesy biscuits. This updated classic is sure to become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection, proving that delicious and comforting meals can be effortlessly achievable!