Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits: Comfort Food Made Simple
Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits: Comfort Food Made Simple
There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of chicken and dumplings to soothe the soul on a chilly evening. This classic comfort food gets a modern twist with the use of refrigerated biscuit dough, making it incredibly simple to prepare without sacrificing that homemade taste. Whether you’re cooking for your family during the week or looking for a cozy weekend meal, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
What makes this version special is how it transforms everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. Using pre-made biscuits creates fluffy, tender dumplings that soak up the rich, creamy broth perfectly. This method eliminates the need for making dough from scratch while still achieving that satisfying texture that makes chicken and dumplings so beloved.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (8 count)
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Step 2: In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Return the chicken to the pot along with any accumulated juices. Add the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, thyme, pepper, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
Step 4: While the chicken mixture simmers, prepare the biscuit dumplings. Separate the refrigerated biscuits and cut each one into 4-6 pieces. The smaller pieces will cook more evenly and absorb the flavorful broth.
Step 5: Stir the frozen peas and milk into the chicken mixture. Arrange the biscuit pieces evenly over the top of the simmering liquid. Do not stir them in – they should float on top.
Step 6: Cover the pot and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through and fluffy. The dumplings will expand and soak up some of the broth as they cook.
Expert Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings
Don’t Overmix: The key to light, fluffy dumplings is gentle handling. When placing the biscuit pieces on top of the broth, resist the urge to stir them in. They’ll cook perfectly while floating on the surface.
Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thicker broth, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water and stir it into the simmering liquid before adding the biscuit pieces. For a thinner consistency, simply add more chicken broth.
Customize Your Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like corn, green beans, or mushrooms. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to whatever you have on hand.
If you enjoy comforting chicken dishes, you might also love our Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup for another classic comfort meal. For more quick weeknight dinners, try our Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Creamy Garlic Sauce or explore our collection of rotisserie chicken recipes for more time-saving meal ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned chicken? Absolutely! Using canned chicken makes this recipe even quicker. Simply drain 2 cans of chicken and add them when you would normally add the cooked chicken.
What type of biscuits work best? Any refrigerated biscuit dough will work, but the larger “Grands” style biscuits create especially fluffy dumplings. Avoid using biscuits with added flavors like cheese or garlic.
Can I make this ahead of time? You can prepare the chicken and vegetable base ahead of time, but add the biscuit dumplings just before serving for the best texture. The dumplings can become soggy if left sitting in the broth for too long.
For more delicious comfort food inspiration, check out our Roasted Tomato & Garlic Ricotta Pasta or browse our complete collection of cheesy comfort food casseroles.
Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits: Comfort Food Made Simple
Ingredients
Method
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Return the chicken to the pot along with any accumulated juices. Add the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, thyme, pepper, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
- While the chicken mixture simmers, prepare the biscuit dumplings. Separate the refrigerated biscuits and cut each one into 4-6 pieces. The smaller pieces will cook more evenly and absorb the flavorful broth.
- Stir the frozen peas and milk into the chicken mixture. Arrange the biscuit pieces evenly over the top of the simmering liquid. Do not stir them in – they should float on top.
- Cover the pot and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through and fluffy. The dumplings will expand and soak up some of the broth as they cook.
