Name: Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 1 cup diced onion; 1 cup diced carrots; 1 cup diced celery; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 6 cups chicken broth; 2 cups cooked shredded chicken; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt (for dumplings); 1 cup milk; 4 tablespoons melted butter

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

If ever there was a dish that spells “comfort” in big, bold letters, it’s Easy Chicken and Dumplings. This creamy, dreamy bowlful is the ultimate soul-soother, brimming with tender bites of chicken, pillowy dumplings, hearty vegetables, and a brothy sauce that wraps you up like a cozy blanket. Whether you’re craving nostalgia or a stress-free dinner that makes you look like a kitchen superstar, this easy chicken and dumplings recipe is a one-pot wonder you’ll turn to again and again!

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Easy Chicken and Dumplings is in its simplicity — every ingredient is familiar, yet when combined, they create an unforgettable harmony. Each one plays a starring role in taste, texture, or downright craveability!

Butter: Adds richness and helps the veggies sauté to golden, fragrant perfection.
Onion (diced): Builds a sweet, savory foundation and brings depth to the broth.
Carrots (diced): Lend sweetness and vibrant color as they soften in the pot.
Celery (diced): Adds classic aromatic flavor and a satisfying texture.
Garlic (minced): Infuses the base with irresistible savory aroma.
Chicken broth: The key to a flavorful, slurp-worthy, comforting broth.
Cooked, shredded chicken: Shreds beautifully for tender bites; a rotisserie shortcut is delicious too!
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning every bite—adjust to taste.
Dried thyme: Lifts up the soup with earthy, herby notes.
Poultry seasoning: Layers in extra warming spice and classic chicken dinner flavor.
Frozen peas: Add pops of sweetness and color, and cook up in moments.
Heavy cream: Brings lush creaminess, making the stew irresistibly rich.
All-purpose flour: The dumplings’ backbone, turning them fluffy and tender.
Baking powder: Gives dumplings their cloud-like lift, every time.
Salt (for dumplings): Ensures your dumplings are never bland—just perfectly seasoned and savory.
Milk: Keeps the dumplings moist and light; use whole milk for extra richness.
Melted butter: Adds a touch of luxury to those tender dumpling bites.

How to Make Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by melting the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Toss in your onions, carrots, and celery — the classic trifecta for so many cozy soups — and let them cook for about five to six minutes. You want everything soft and fragrant, but not browned. Add the minced garlic, stirring for another minute, just until your kitchen smells like absolute heaven.

Step 2: Build the Broth

Pour in the chicken broth and give it a good stir to lift up every bit of flavor from the bottom of the pot. Next, add your cooked, shredded chicken, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and poultry seasoning. Give it all a gentle mix, bring to a simmer, and let it bubble for about ten minutes. This is where all the savory notes begin to meld together, filling your home with the promise of something delicious.

Step 3: Add Cream and Veggies

Once the broth has simmered, stir in the frozen peas and heavy cream. The cream transforms your soup into something lush and velvety, while the peas bring sweet pops of color and freshness. Let everything mingle on low heat while you whip up the star of the show — those dreamy dumplings.

Step 4: Mix Up the Dumpling Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk and melted butter, stirring until just combined. The dough should be soft and a little sticky; don’t over-mix or your dumplings might turn dense instead of light and airy.

Step 5: Cook the Dumplings

Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop dollops of dough straight into the simmering soup. Don’t stir, just let them float like little islands! Cover the pot and cook for fifteen minutes — no peeking — so the steam can do its job and puff up the dumplings to perfection. They’re done when a toothpick inserted in one comes out clean and their middles are light and fluffy.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Spoon generous portions of Easy Chicken and Dumplings into bowls while everything is piping hot. The broth will be irresistibly creamy, the vegetables and chicken oh-so-tender, and the dumplings honestly crave-worthy. Every bite is a warm hug at the end of a long day!

How to Serve Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Garnishes

A little garnish can make your Easy Chicken and Dumplings look and taste restaurant-worthy. Try scattering fresh chopped parsley, a sprinkle of extra black pepper, or a pinch of flaky sea salt on top. Sometimes, a quick squeeze of lemon adds brightness and balance to all that creamy richness.

Side Dishes

This dish is hearty enough to stand solo, but if you want a well-rounded table, consider serving it with crusty bread, warm biscuits, or a crisp green salad. Lightly buttered green beans or simple roasted veggies on the side are always a win for extra color and nutrition.

Creative Ways to Present

A fun twist is to serve Easy Chicken and Dumplings in mini soup crocks at a dinner party, or as part of a cozy lunch spread. For a rustic tavern vibe, ladle it into oversized mugs and let everyone curl up fireside. Top each portion with an extra dumpling for a little wow factor!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Easy Chicken and Dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors deepen beautifully overnight, making each warm-up just as satisfying as the first spoonful. Just keep in mind that the dumplings will continue to absorb some liquid, so don’t worry if it thickens a bit.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze Easy Chicken and Dumplings, but for best texture, freeze the soup base without the dumplings and add fresh dumplings when reheating. The broth and chicken freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and finishing with new dumplings.

Reheating

Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to keep the base creamy. If the broth seems too thick, add an extra splash of chicken broth or milk. Microwave reheating works too for quick lunches—simply use a microwave-safe bowl and heat in one-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot throughout.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for Easy Chicken and Dumplings?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is not only a huge time-saver but also packs plenty of flavor. Just shred the meat and toss it in where the recipe calls for cooked chicken.

Do I have to use heavy cream, or can I swap it out?

If you want to lighten things up a bit, feel free to use half-and-half or even whole milk. The broth won’t be quite as rich, but the soup will still be comforting and delicious.

What’s the secret to fluffy dumplings?

The biggest secret is not to over-mix your dumpling dough! Stir until just combined, and make sure your pot stays covered while the dumplings cook. Steam is what makes them puff up light and soft.

Can I make Easy Chicken and Dumplings gluten-free?

Yes, just use a 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour for the dumplings. The texture will be a bit different, but you’ll still end up with wonderful, scoopable clouds of comfort.

How do I know when the dumplings are fully cooked?

After 15 minutes of covered cooking, insert a toothpick into the thickest dumpling. If it comes out clean and the center is no longer doughy, they’re ready to eat!

Final Thoughts

If you’re in search of pure, unfussy comfort food, you can’t go wrong with Easy Chicken and Dumplings. It’s all the warmth of a cozy kitchen in one pot! Gather your ingredients, trust the simple steps, and treat yourself — and your loved ones — to this bowl of pure contentment. You’ll be making it on repeat, I promise!

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A comforting and satisfying dish, Easy Chicken and Dumplings is a classic recipe that brings together tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a creamy broth. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a chilly evening, this dish is sure to warm your soul.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup:

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup heavy cream

For the Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt (for dumplings)
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons melted butter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Soup: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook until softened. Stir in garlic, then add chicken broth, shredded chicken, salt, pepper, thyme, and poultry seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in peas and heavy cream.
Dumplings: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and melted butter, stir until combined. Drop spoonfuls of dough into simmering soup. Cover and cook for 15 minutes without stirring.
Serve hot.