The Best Easy Chicken and Dumplings (Old-Fashioned Recipe!)

Is there any meal more comforting, more soul-warming, or more like a big, warm hug in a bowl than a classic, homemade Chicken and Dumplings? This incredible, easy, from-scratch-tasting recipe is the ultimate one-pot wonder. Imagine a rich and savory chicken and vegetable stew, crowned with the most unbelievably light, fluffy, and tender biscuit-style dumplings you’ve ever had. It’s pure, unadulterated comfort food, made simple for any night of the week.

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a guide to a timeless American classic. We’ll show you the simple but crucial secrets to perfect, never-dense dumplings (the secret is in the steam, and not peeking!), and how a few smart shortcuts can help you get this stunning, crowd-pleasing meal on the table with minimal effort. This is the kind of satisfying, nostalgic dinner that brings the whole family to the table.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Bowl of Comfort

What makes this Chicken and Dumplings recipe so spectacularly delicious is its foolproof method for light and fluffy dumplings and its classic, comforting flavor. The heart of the dish is a simple, savory stew made with tender, cooked chicken, and a classic mirepoix of carrots and celery in a rich chicken broth. The real star of the show, however, is the dumplings. Using a brilliant shortcut of a biscuit/baking mix (like Bisquick®), we create a simple, soft dough that is dropped by the spoonful directly onto the simmering stew. The pot is then covered, allowing the dumplings to steam to perfectly light, fluffy, and tender perfection.

Metric	Time / Level
Total Time	35 minutes
Active Prep Time	15 minutes
Difficulty Level	Easy
Servings	6-8

The Essential Ingredients for This Cozy Classic

This recipe uses a handful of smart shortcuts and pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.

• The Fluffy Dumplings (The Shortcut is Key!):
  • Biscuit/Baking Mix: This is the ultimate, foolproof shortcut to perfectly light and fluffy dumplings every single time! A high-quality, all-purpose baking mix (like Bisquick®) already contains the perfect ratio of flour, leavening (baking powder), salt, and fat. All you need to do is add the milk to create a perfect, soft dumpling dough.
• The Savory Stew:
  • Cubed Cooked Chicken: Using about 3 cups of pre-cooked, cubed chicken is a massive time-saver. This is the absolute best and most delicious way to use up leftover roasted chicken or Thanksgiving turkey! A store-bought rotisserie chicken is also a fantastic and convenient choice.
  • The Vegetables: A classic, aromatic, and simple foundation of chopped celery and carrots provides a wonderful, sweet and savory flavor base.
  • Poultry Seasoning: This classic, aromatic herb blend is the secret to that nostalgic, “Thanksgiving-in-a-bowl” flavor. It’s typically a savory mix of sage, thyme, and marjoram.

Step-by-Step to the Best Chicken and Dumplings

This delicious, one-pot meal is incredibly simple to prepare.

Step 1: Make the Savory Chicken and Vegetable Stew

Step 1: In a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed stockpot coated with cooking spray, cook and stir the 3 chopped celery ribs and the 2 sliced medium carrots over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until they are tender.

Step 2: Stir in the 3 cans of reduced-sodium chicken broth, the 3 cups of cubed cooked chicken, the 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning, and the 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.

Step 3: Bring the stew to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle, steady simmer.

Part 2: Prepare and Cook the Fluffy Dumplings

Step 1: While the stew is coming to a simmer, prepare your dumpling dough. In a medium bowl, mix the 1 2/3 cups of reduced-fat biscuit/baking mix and the 2/3 cup of fat-free milk until a soft dough forms.

Step 2 (The Fun Part!): Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls directly on top of the gently simmering liquid.

Step 3 (The Most Important Step!): Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and let the dumplings cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not lift the cover during the first 10 minutes.

Pro Tip: This is the number one, non-negotiable secret to light and fluffy dumplings! The dumplings cook by steaming, not by boiling. If you lift the lid, all the precious steam will escape, which will cause your dumplings to become heavy, dense, and doughy.

You will know the dumplings are perfectly cooked when a toothpick inserted into the center of a dumpling comes out clean.

Serve the hot, steaming Chicken and Dumplings immediately in large, cozy bowls.

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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

A hearty stew like Chicken and Dumplings is fantastic for making ahead, and the leftovers are delicious.

• Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive weeknight meal, you can prepare the entire chicken and vegetable stew base up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you are ready to eat, simply bring the stew to a simmer on the stovetop, and then proceed with making and steaming the fresh dumplings.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The dumplings will absorb more of the broth as they sit.
• Reheating: The best way to reheat this dish is to do so gently in a saucepan on the stovetop over a low heat. You may need to add a small splash of extra chicken broth to loosen up the stew as it reheats.

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Creative Recipe Variations

1. Make it a Creamy Chicken and Dumplings: For an even richer and more decadent, creamy stew, you can create a simple slurry by whisking 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water and stirring it into the broth before you add the dumplings. You can also stir in about 1/2 cup of heavy cream at the very end.
2. Add More Veggies: For some extra color and sweetness, you can add about 1 cup of frozen peas or corn to the stew during the last 5 minutes of the cooking time (just before you add the dumplings).
3. Add Some Fresh Herbs: For an extra layer of bright, fresh flavor, you can add a bay leaf to the broth as it simmers, and/or stir about 2 tablespoons of fresh, chopped parsley or thyme into your dumpling dough.

Enjoy The Ultimate Bowl of Comfort!

You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This classic Chicken and Dumplings is a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch-tasting meal to bring comfort and joy. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested family favorite for all the chilly days of the year.

We hope you enjoy every last, warm, and delicious bite!

If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!

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