This cozy Hairy Bikers Chicken Cobbler is made with a hearty chicken and vegetable casserole and topped with a savory, scone-like potato cobbler. The result is a comforting, savory, and satisfying meal with a fluffy, golden-brown topping. It’s the ultimate winter warmer, perfect for a cold evening, and serves a hungry family of four.
Hairy Bikers Chicken Cobbler Ingredients
For the Chicken Casserole:
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 4 pieces each
- 4 rashers streaky bacon, cut into strips
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 2 celery sticks, thinly sliced
- 150g button mushrooms, wiped and quartered
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 600ml chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 375g carrots, sliced
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 2 leeks, sliced
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Potato Cobbler Topping:
- 350g floury potatoes, such as King Edwards or Maris Pipers
- 250g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 100g cold butter, cut into cubes
- 125ml whole milk, plus extra for brushing
How To Make Hairy Bikers Chicken Cobbler
- Prepare the potatoes for the topping: Peel and chop the potatoes. Place them in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until very tender. Drain the potatoes, mash them until smooth, and set aside to cool. You will need 250g of the cooled mash for the cobbler.
- Brown the chicken and bacon: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas 6). Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and dust lightly with flour. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches until golden, then transfer to a plate. Add the bacon to the same pan and fry until crisp.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the onions and celery to the pan with the bacon fat and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook for one more minute.
- Simmer the casserole: Return the browned chicken to the dish. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, bay leaf, thyme, and carrots. Bring the mixture to a simmer on the hob, then cover loosely with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Make the cobbler dough: While the casserole is cooking, make the topping. In a large bowl, rub the cold butter into the flour and salt using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the 250g of cooled mashed potato and rub it in. Stir in the milk and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the cobbles: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a thick log, about 24cm long. Cut the log into 12 even rounds, each about 2cm thick.
- Top and bake: Take the casserole out of the oven. Mix the cornflour with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the casserole to thicken the sauce. Stir in the sliced leeks. Arrange the potato cobbles on top of the casserole, slightly overlapping them. Brush the cobbles with a little milk and season with salt and pepper. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for another 30 minutes, or until the topping is risen, fluffy, and golden brown. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Use Floury Potatoes: Using a floury potato variety like King Edwards or Maris Pipers is essential for a light and fluffy cobbler topping. Waxy potatoes will not mash well and will create a dense, heavy dough.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Handle the cobbler dough as little as possible. Overworking it will develop the gluten and result in a tough, chewy topping rather than a soft, scone-like texture.
- Brown the Meat Properly: Taking the time to brown the chicken and bacon before adding the other ingredients creates a huge amount of flavor. This process is called the Maillard reaction, and it’s key to a delicious casserole.
- Pre-cook the Leeks: The recipe calls for adding the leeks towards the end of the cooking process. This is so they retain their shape and a slight bite rather than becoming mushy during the long simmer.
What To Serve With Chicken Cobbler
This chicken cobbler is a complete and satisfying meal on its own, with the hearty casserole and the starchy topping. However, to complete the plate, you could serve it with a side of simple steamed green vegetables, such as green beans or broccoli, to add a fresh element and a pop of color. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would also be a lovely contrast to the rich, savory stew.
How To Store Chicken Cobbler Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Let the dish cool completely before transferring any leftovers to an airtight container. The cobbler topping may soften, but the flavors of the casserole will be even better the next day. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze: This casserole freezes very well. Once completely cooled, you can freeze the entire dish or individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat gently in the oven or on the stovetop. The cobbler topping may lose its texture, but the filling will be perfect.
Hairy Bikers Chicken Cobbler Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Total Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sodium: 980mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 65g
- Dietary Fiber: 7g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 40g
Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly is a “cobbler”? A cobbler is a traditional British or American dish with a savory or sweet filling and a topping of biscuit-like or scone-like dough. It’s called a cobbler because the rustic “cobbles” of dough give it a cobbled street appearance. This recipe uses a topping made with mashed potatoes, butter, and flour for a unique and delicious texture.
- Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs? You can, but chicken thighs are a better choice for this recipe. They are more forgiving and stay tender and juicy during the long cooking time. Chicken breast can become dry and stringy when simmered for a long period, which is why thighs are recommended for stews and casseroles.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the chicken casserole part of the recipe up to the point of adding the leeks and cornflour. Let it cool, then refrigerate it overnight. The next day, you can make the potato cobbler topping and finish baking the dish fresh. This is a great way to save time on a busy day.
- Can I use different vegetables in the casserole? Absolutely. This recipe is very versatile. You can easily substitute the carrots, celery, or mushrooms with other sturdy vegetables like parsnips, swede, or even small chunks of butternut squash. You can also add some frozen peas in the last 10 minutes of cooking for extra color and sweetness.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Chicken Chasseur Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Carbonara Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Steak And Stilton Pie Recipe
Hairy Bikers Chicken Cobbler Recipe
Description
The Hairy Bikers Chicken Cobbler is a hearty and cozy British classic. It features a rich chicken and vegetable casserole, enhanced by bacon and herbs, and topped with a savory, fluffy potato cobbler. This one-pot meal is perfect for a cold evening and makes a comforting dinner for the whole family.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
For the Cobbler:
Instructions
- Prep potatoes: Cook, mash, and cool 250g of potato mash.
- Brown and sauté: Brown the floured chicken in oil, then set aside. Sauté bacon, onions, celery, and mushrooms in the same pan.
- Simmer: Add chicken, tomatoes, stock, bay leaf, thyme, and carrots to the pan. Simmer on the hob, then bake in the oven at 200°C for 30 minutes.
Make cobbler: Rub butter into flour and salt. Mix in the cooled mash and milk to form a soft dough. Cut into 12 rounds. - Finish and bake: Stir cornflour and leeks into the casserole. Top with the cobbles, brush with milk, and bake for another 30 minutes until golden and fluffy.
