Ep 9. Chicken and Biscuits

In America's Test Kitchen season 19 episode 9, titled "Chicken and Biscuits," the team takes on classic comfort food with a twist. The focus of the episode is creating the perfect chicken pot pie accompanied by homemade biscuits.

The episode starts with an introduction to the difference between chicken pot pie and chicken filling. The team explains that while the latter is an easy dish to make, the former takes more finesse due to the crust. They then dive into the first important step: selecting the right chicken. The team opts for a whole chicken that has a healthy amount of fat and produces flavorful broth.

Next up, the team experiments with different cooking techniques to determine the best approach to cooking the chicken. They test boiling, braising, and roasting. After comparing the results, they go with roasting as it produces the most flavorful meat.

Moving on to the vegetables, the team researches the best options for the filling. They try a variety of options before ultimately settling on carrots, onions, and celery. They then move on to spices, testing a large variety before selecting the perfect combination to season the chicken and vegetables.

Now that they have their filling, the team starts experimenting with the perfect crust. They try various options, including an all-butter pastry, but the winning crust is the one with the addition of vodka. The team explains that the vodka doesn't leave a taste but allows for a more elastic dough, resulting in a flakier crust.

After successfully creating the perfect filling and crust, the team moves on to the homemade biscuits. They start with the flour, testing different brands and types before selecting the best option. Next, they experiment with leavening agents, testing baking soda versus baking powder. They find that baking powder results in a higher rise and selects that option for the biscuits.

Finally, the team demonstrates how to assemble and bake the chicken pot pie with the homemade biscuits on top. While baking, the team shares tips on how to achieve a beautiful golden crust and perfectly cooked chicken.

In conclusion, America's Test Kitchen season 19 episode 9, "Chicken and Biscuits," is all about creating comfort food at its finest. The team tackles the challenge of creating the perfect chicken pot pie with a flaky crust and pairs it with homemade biscuits for the ultimate cozy meal. Viewers are treated to a step-by-step guide on selecting the right chicken, perfecting the filling and crust, and assembling and baking the dish to perfection.