Description
A cosy, comforting one-dish dinner featuring tender chicken, sweet apples, tart dried cranberries, creamy Brie, and a rich savoury sauce, all topped with soft golden buttermilk biscuits.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling
2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces (680 g)
1 tsp dried thyme (1 g)
½ tsp dried sage (1 g)
½ tsp salt (3 g)
¼ tsp black pepper (0.5 g)
1 medium yellow onion, diced (150 g)
2 cloves garlic, minced (6 g)
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (300 g)
½ cup dried cranberries (60 g)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour (16 g)
1 ½ cups chicken broth (360 ml)
½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard (15 g)
1 tbsp maple syrup (20 ml)
For the Brie Topping
5 oz Brie cheese, rind trimmed and cut into small pieces (140 g)
For the Biscuit Topping
2 cups all-purpose flour (250 g)
1 tbsp baking powder (12 g)
½ tsp salt (3 g)
½ tsp dried thyme (1 g)
6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed (85 g)
¾ cup buttermilk (180 ml)
1 tbsp maple syrup (20 g)
For Garnish
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (3 g)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (8 g)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish and set it aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces along with the dried thyme, dried sage, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and nearly cooked through.
3. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
4. Stir in the diced apples and dried cranberries. Cook for 2–3 minutes, just until the apples begin to soften while still retaining some texture.
5. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the chicken mixture and stir well to coat the ingredients. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously, then add the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup. Simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Transfer the chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish if you have not used an oven-safe skillet. Scatter the Brie pieces evenly over the surface so they can melt into the creamy filling as the bake cooks.
7. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and dried thyme. Add the cold cubed butter and cut it into the flour mixture with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until coarse crumbs form.
8. Stir in the buttermilk and maple syrup just until a soft dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the biscuits tender.
9. Drop the biscuit dough in small portions over the chicken and Brie mixture. Leave a little space between each biscuit so the creamy filling can bubble through as it bakes.
10. Bake for 22–28 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
11. Allow the bake to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and chopped parsley for a fresh finish.
Notes
Choose crisp apples that hold their shape during cooking. A balance of sweet-tart and sweet apples works especially well with the chicken, Brie, and cranberries. Keep the biscuit dough cold by using cold butter and avoid overmixing once the buttermilk is added. Cook the chicken only until lightly browned and nearly cooked through before baking to help prevent it from becoming dry. Leave small gaps between the biscuits so the filling can bubble through and cook evenly. The chicken filling can be prepared ahead and refrigerated until needed. For the best biscuit texture, prepare the biscuit topping close to baking time and add it just before baking. Another mild, creamy cheese that melts well can be substituted for Brie. Dried cranberries are recommended because they provide concentrated sweetness and a chewy texture. Serve warm as a complete comfort-food dinner with a simple green salad or lightly dressed seasonal vegetables. Let the bake rest for 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven so the creamy filling can settle slightly. Finish with fresh thyme and parsley just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American