Ep 9. Chicken and Biscuits

In season 13 episode 9 of Cook's Country, titled "Chicken and Biscuits," host Bridget Lancaster leads the crew in exploring the history and techniques behind the classic Southern dish of chicken and biscuits. The episode opens with a brief history lesson on the origins of the dish, tracing its roots back to the Civil War and the practical need for soldiers to combine leftover ingredients to create a hearty meal.

From there, the crew dives into recipe testing, starting with the chicken. Bridget shares the secrets to making the juiciest, most flavorful fried chicken by marinating the meat in a buttermilk-based mixture before frying it in a cast-iron skillet. The team also tries out a few variations on the traditional preparation, including oven-fried chicken and a unique Japanese-style recipe that uses panko breadcrumbs and soy sauce.

Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, the focus turns to the biscuits. Again, the team tests out a range of approaches, from classic buttermilk biscuits to more unique variations using ingredients like cornmeal and cheddar cheese. Bridget passes on her top tips for ensuring that the biscuits come out light, fluffy, and perfectly golden-brown, no matter the recipe.

As the team samples and evaluates each version of the dish, they also get some insights from locals and food historians on the traditions and variants of the chicken and biscuits recipe across the South. One stop takes them to a family-run restaurant in Tennessee that has been serving up the dish for generations, while another introduces them to a chef in Charleston, South Carolina who puts her own twist on the classic with a crispy chicken skin and thyme-infused honey.

Throughout the episode, Bridget and the team explain the science and reasoning behind each technique, from the importance of preheating the skillet before frying the chicken to the role of acidic ingredients in balancing the flavors of the biscuit dough. They also share some helpful hints for anyone looking to experiment with their own variations on the dish, such as using different spices or herbs to add an extra layer of flavor.

By the end of the episode, the crew has gained a new understanding and appreciation for the rich history and unique flavors of chicken and biscuits, and viewers are sure to come away with some valuable cooking insights and recipe inspiration of their own. Whether you're a devoted fan of the Southern classic or just looking to try something new in the kitchen, Cook's Country season 13 episode 9 has something to offer to foodies of all stripes.