Save A comforting, hearty casserole combining tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings baked in a creamy, savory sauce.
I still remember serving this Chicken and Dumplings Casserole on a chilly evening. The aroma from the oven made everyone gather in the kitchen in anticipation.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken: 2 cups, shredded or diced
- Carrots: 1 cup, diced
- Celery: 1 cup, diced
- Frozen peas: 1 cup
- Onion: 1 small, diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup
- All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup (for chicken mixture)
- Chicken broth: 2 cups
- Whole milk: 1 cup (for chicken mixture)
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
- All-purpose flour: 1 cup (for dumplings)
- Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (for dumplings)
- Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons, melted
- Whole milk: 1/2 cup (for dumplings)
- Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook vegetables:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add flour:
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute.
- Make sauce:
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Combine chicken mixture:
- Add cooked chicken, peas, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir to combine.
- Assemble casserole:
- Transfer the chicken mixture to a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish.
- Prepare dumplings:
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt for the dumplings. Stir in melted butter and milk until just combined. Fold in parsley if using.
- Add dumplings:
- Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until dumplings are golden and cooked through.
- Serve:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Save Last weekend, my family requested seconds of this casserole. Even the kids couldn't resist the tender dumplings soaked in savory sauce.
Required Tools
Large skillet, mixing bowls, whisk, 9x13 inch casserole dish, measuring cups and spoons, oven.
Allergen Information
Contains: Wheat (gluten), milk, dairy. Double-check broth for allergens if using store-bought.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 420, Total Fat: 17 g, Carbohydrates: 38 g, Protein: 29 g (per serving).
Save Chicken and Dumplings Casserole brings classic comfort straight from the oven. The leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch next day.
Cooking Questions & Answers
- → What type of chicken works best?
Using cooked, shredded chicken like rotisserie provides convenience and maintains tenderness in the casserole.
- → How are the dumplings prepared?
Dumplings are made from a batter of flour, baking powder, butter, and milk, spooned over the casserole before baking to create a light, fluffy topping.
- → Can I substitute the vegetables?
Yes, you can swap or add fresh vegetables such as green beans or corn for varied texture and flavor.
- → What herbs complement this dish?
Thyme is classic, but rosemary or sage can also enhance the savory notes beautifully.
- → How do I know when it's done baking?
The casserole is ready when the dumplings turn golden and the sauce bubbles gently around the edges.