The Ultimate Guide to Chicken and Dumplings: From Biscuits to Comfort

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of chicken and dumplings to soothe the soul. This classic comfort food has been warming hearts and filling bellies for generations, and today we’re sharing multiple ways to create this delicious dish – from quick biscuit dumplings to traditional homemade versions. Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a speedy dinner solution or a cooking enthusiast wanting to master the art of dumplings, this guide has you covered.

Chicken and dumplings represent the perfect marriage of creamy chicken stew and fluffy dumplings that melt in your mouth. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility – you can make it from scratch, use convenient ingredients like canned chicken and biscuits, or create a beautiful baked casserole version. Each method delivers that comforting warmth and satisfaction we all crave.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Basic Chicken Stew Base:

• 2 lbs chicken breast or thighs (or 3 cups canned chicken for quick version)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Biscuit Dumplings:

• 1 can Grands biscuits (or homemade biscuit dough)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Step-by-Step Instructions

Method 1: Quick Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits

1. Prepare the Stew: In a large pot, combine chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, vegetables, and seasonings. Bring to a simmer.
2. Add Chicken: If using raw chicken, add diced pieces and cook for 15 minutes. For canned chicken, simply stir it in after the vegetables are tender.
3. Create Biscuit Dumplings: Separate Grands biscuits and cut each into quarters. Drop them gently into the simmering stew.
4. Cook Dumplings: Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until biscuits are cooked through and fluffy.

Method 2: Traditional Homemade Dumplings

1. Make Dumpling Dough: Mix flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter until a soft dough forms.
2. Drop Dumplings: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough into the simmering chicken stew.
3. Steam to Perfection: Cover and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid to allow proper steaming.

Method 3: Chicken and Dumplings Bake

1. Prepare Casserole: Pour chicken stew mixture into a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Arrange Biscuits: Place whole or quartered biscuits over the top of the stew.
3. Bake: Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until biscuits are golden brown and stew is bubbly.

Expert Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings

Don’t Overmix Dumpling Dough: Handle the dough gently to ensure light, fluffy dumplings. Overworking the dough makes them tough.

Maintain Proper Simmer: Keep the stew at a gentle simmer when adding dumplings. A rolling boil will break them apart.

Use the Lid Properly: Keep the lid on during the last 15 minutes of cooking to allow the dumplings to steam properly.

Customize Your Seasonings: Feel free to add rosemary, sage, or parsley for different flavor profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other types of biscuits? Absolutely! Any refrigerated biscuits work well, though Grands provide particularly fluffy results.

How can I make this gluten-free? Use gluten-free flour for homemade dumplings and ensure your cream soup is gluten-free.

What’s the best chicken to use? Both breast and thigh meat work well. Thighs add more flavor, while breasts are leaner.

Can I freeze leftovers? Yes, though the dumplings may soften upon reheating. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Whether you choose the quick biscuit method or traditional homemade dumplings, this comforting chicken and dumplings recipe is sure to become a family favorite. The warm, savory flavors and satisfying texture make it perfect for chilly evenings, family gatherings, or anytime you need a little comfort in a bowl.

The Ultimate Guide to Chicken and Dumplings: From Biscuits to Comfort

This classic comfort food combines creamy chicken stew with fluffy biscuit dumplings, offering multiple preparation methods from quick biscuit versions to traditional homemade dumplings. Perfect for chilly evenings and family gatherings, this versatile dish can be customized with various ingredients and cooking techniques.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 425

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breast or thighs (or 3 cups canned chicken for quick version)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can Grands biscuits (or homemade biscuit dough)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Method

 

Instructions

1. Prepare the stew by combining chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, vegetables, and seasonings in a large pot and bringing to a simmer
2. Add chicken – if using raw chicken, add diced pieces and cook for 15 minutes; for canned chicken, stir it in after vegetables are tender
3. Create biscuit dumplings by separating Grands biscuits and cutting each into quarters, then dropping gently into the simmering stew
4. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until biscuits are cooked through and fluffy
5. Alternatively, make homemade dumpling dough by mixing flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter until soft dough forms
6. Drop tablespoon-sized portions of homemade dough into simmering chicken stew
7. Cover and cook for 15 minutes without lifting lid to allow proper steaming

Notes

Don’t overmix dumpling dough – handle gently for light, fluffy dumplings. Maintain gentle simmer when adding dumplings, not rolling boil. Keep lid on during last 15 minutes of cooking for proper steaming.