When it’s chilly outside (or honestly even when it’s not), there’s nothing better than a big cozy bowl of chicken and dumplings.
This recipe is especially one of my favorites because it’s super easy. Instead of making the dumplings from scratch, we’re using canned biscuits. Which honestly makes life a whole lot simpler, and it still tastes amazing.
I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count, and every single time it’s one of those meals where everyone goes quiet at the dinner table because they’re too busy eating. It’s warm, creamy, filling, and pure comfort in a bowl.
If you’ve never made chicken and dumplings before, don’t worry. This is one of those recipes that’s totally beginner-friendly and basically impossible to mess up.
Let’s get into it.
What You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
Pro Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken if you want to make this super fast and flavorful without extra work.
- Toss your biscuit pieces in flour before dropping them into the pot. This keeps them from sticking together and also helps thicken the broth.
- Cut biscuits into smaller bites. It makes them easier to cook through and easier for little ones to eat.
- Keep your simmer low and slow. A gentle simmer helps the dumplings stay tender instead of getting weird and gummy.
- Add some extra veggies like peas, corn, or green beans if you want to sneak in a little more nutrition.
Tools Required
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap chicken with turkey if you have leftovers you want to use up.
- Use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead of cream of chicken for a slightly different flavor.
- You can use half-and-half instead of milk if you want it extra creamy.
- If you do not have canned biscuit dough, you can totally use puff pastry or homemade dumplings instead.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can make the soup base ahead of time, store it in the fridge for a day or two, and then bring it back to a simmer and add the biscuits right before you’re ready to eat.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the veggies are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir until everything is coated. Cook for about 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring the whole time to keep it smooth.
- Add the shredded chicken and the cream of chicken soup. Stir everything together until it’s nice and creamy.
- Season with salt, pepper, and thyme if you’re using it.
- Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
- While the soup is simmering, cut the biscuits into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Toss the biscuit pieces lightly in flour so they don’t stick together.
- Drop the biscuit pieces into the simmering soup.
- Cover the pot and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the biscuits are fluffy and cooked through.
- Give everything a gentle stir and serve warm.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: About 417
- Protein: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fat: 17g
- Sodium: Around 962mg
Leftovers and Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you reheat, do it slowly on the stove or in the microwave and add a splash of milk or broth if it looks a little too thick.
If you want to freeze it, I recommend freezing the soup base by itself and adding fresh biscuit dough later when you reheat. The biscuits can get a little mushy if you freeze them already cooked.
FAQs
Can I freeze chicken and dumplings?
You can, but it’s better to freeze the soup without the biscuit dough and add fresh biscuits when you reheat it.
Can I make it with homemade biscuit dough?
Yes, totally. If you want to make your own biscuits, they work perfectly here too.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Definitely. Peas, corn, green beans, and even spinach would all be great options.
Wrap Up
This easy chicken and dumplings recipe is one of those dishes that’s going to make you feel like a rockstar in the kitchen. It’s cozy, filling, and a total family favorite.
I really hope you give this a try and that it brings a little extra warmth and happiness to your table. If you make it, I’d love to hear what you think! Let me know how it goes in the comments or feel free to ask any questions you have.
