Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Chicken and Biscuit Soup

Ingredients:

  • 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 3 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken meat
  • 2 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated biscuit dough

Directions:

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine the condensed soup, chicken broth, and shredded chicken over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture begins to simmer.
  3. Cut each biscuit into quarters and gently stir the biscuit pieces into the simmering soup.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the biscuits are no longer doughy in the center.
  5. Serve the soup hot, and enjoy!

Cooks Note:

For a richer flavor, I like to use a combination of shredded chicken breast and thigh meat. You can also sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top of each serving for a burst of color.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

  • Calories: 400
  • Fat: 18g (23% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 5g (24% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 50mg (17% DV)
  • Sodium: 1924mg (84% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 36g (13% DV)
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g (2% DV)
  • Total Sugars: 6g
  • Protein: 22g (43% DV)
  • Calcium: 53mg (4% DV)
  • Iron: 3mg (17% DV)
  • Potassium: 243mg (5% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings

History of Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings is a beloved dish in many cultures, but it holds a special place in Southern cuisine. The dishs origins date back to the 1800s, likely as a way to stretch limited ingredients into a hearty and filling meal. Early versions of chicken and dumplings were more of a stew, with simple dumplings made from flour, water, and fat. Over time, the dish evolved, and in the Southern United States, it became synonymous with comfort food, often served during cold weather or family gatherings. The use of refrigerated biscuit dough in this quick version is a modern shortcut, making the dish easy to prepare while still evoking the warmth of the traditional recipe.

Regional Variations

While chicken and dumplings is a classic Southern dish, its variations can be found across the United States. In the South, the dish often includes a creamy base, using condensed soups or homemade broth, and is typically made with flaky biscuits or dumplings. In the Midwest, dumplings may be lighter, often made from scratch with baking powder and dropped into simmering broth. The flavor profile varies from region to region; some recipes feature vegetables like carrots, peas, and celery, while others focus solely on the chicken and dumplings themselves.

How This Recipe Differs from Other Chicken and Dumplings Dishes

This Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe stands out for its simplicity and speed. Unlike traditional versions that require homemade dumplings or long cooking times, this recipe uses refrigerated biscuit dough as a shortcut for dumplings, allowing the dish to be prepared in just 20 minutes. It also calls for pre-cooked chicken, which further reduces the prep time. The use of condensed cream of chicken soup and chicken broth creates a rich, creamy base that is both comforting and flavorful. For many home cooks, this version is a more practical and quicker alternative to the classic, while still delivering a satisfying meal.

Where Chicken and Dumplings Are Typically Served

Chicken and dumplings is a staple in Southern homes, but it can be found in many restaurants, especially those that focus on comfort food or traditional American cuisine. It's often featured on the menu in diners, family-style restaurants, and Southern bistros. In addition to being a popular dish in the home, it is frequently served during potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday meals. The dish is perfect for sharing and makes a wonderful addition to communal dining settings due to its hearty and filling nature.

Fun Facts About Chicken and Dumplings

  • The phrase "chicken and dumplings" is often used in Southern culture to refer to home-cooked comfort food, making it more than just a dish, but an emblem of family and warmth.
  • In some parts of the South, it's believed that chicken and dumplings should always be served with cornbread on the side. The cornbread adds a crispy texture that contrasts with the creamy soup.
  • Some variations of the dish feature more exotic ingredients, such as adding herbs like thyme or sage, or including vegetables such as corn or potatoes, to further enhance the flavor profile.
  • Chicken and dumplings has made its way into pop culture, appearing in movies and TV shows as the quintessential comfort food, often evoking nostalgia and homey vibes.
  • The recipe for Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings is a hit for busy cooks, as it allows for a homemade-tasting meal in less than 30 minutes, without the need for long hours in the kitchen.

FAQ about Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

You can store leftovers of chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little extra chicken broth if the dish has thickened too much.

Yes, chicken and dumplings can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding broth if needed.

Yes, you can use other types of biscuit dough, such as buttermilk biscuits or crescent roll dough. Keep in mind that different doughs may result in slight variations in texture, but they should still work well in this recipe.

Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Prepare the soup and dumplings as instructed, but stop just before adding the biscuits. Store the soup in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. When ready to serve, heat the soup, add the biscuits, and continue cooking as directed.

You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup or a homemade white sauce if you prefer a non-creamy option. For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based cream soup or make a simple roux with non-dairy milk.

Feel free to add extra seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley. For a spicier version, consider adding black pepper, chili flakes, or cayenne pepper to taste.

Yes, using pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken, is a great time-saving option for this recipe. Simply shred the chicken and add it to the soup as instructed.

If the dumplings are still doughy after the cooking time, simply cover the pot and let them simmer for a few more minutes. You can also reduce the heat slightly to ensure they cook through without overcooking the broth.

Yes, you can use frozen chicken. If using frozen chicken breasts or thighs, you may want to thaw them first to ensure even cooking. You can also cook frozen chicken directly in the pot by increasing the simmer time.

To make the dish thicker, you can add a thickening agent like cornstarch or flour. For a thinner consistency, simply add more chicken broth or water to the soup while simmering.

Comments

Jacob Brown

02/24/2023 06:37:39 PM

Great tip! Have you ever tried cutting flour tortillas into strips to use as noodles? It's like making homemade noodles!

Patricia Wilson

06/05/2025 03:01:14 AM

This was the most delicious chicken and dumplings I've ever prepared! I flattened the biscuits slightly, cut them into smaller pieces, and dusted them with flour to prevent sticking and thicken the gravy. It was absolutely delightful, incredibly fast and simple. I also opted for pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, which worked perfectly.

Mark Rivera

04/11/2025 03:16:05 PM

Thank you for the suggestion! I made a few tweaks to the recipe. I diced a yellow onion and some celery, and sautéed them in two tablespoons of butter before adding Everglades seasoning, black pepper, and salt to the pot. Following that, I proceeded with the rest of the recipe. Additionally, I rolled out my biscuits, cut them into smaller pieces, and allowed them to simmer for 20 minutes to ensure they were cooked through. The final result was fantastic!

Kimberly Clark

10/03/2024 12:07:54 AM

Review: Absolutely delicious! I give it 5 stars because it was so easy to make. I decided to cut the recipe in half since I only had one can of cream of chicken soup, and it still turned out fantastic. I used the complete amount of chicken stock, as I used the larger biscuits. I also threw in some carrots, a variety of seasonings (pepper, dried parsley, minced onion, oregano, and a pinch of chili flakes), and cooked the chicken in bacon fat leftover from breakfast. I diced the chicken before sautéing it and then combined everything in the pan. For anyone adding extra liquid, I recommend using a Dutch oven or a larger pot.

Cynthia Thomas

04/17/2025 08:51:46 AM

This recipe is a game-changer! I've always been a fan of the slow cooker version, but this stovetop method is just as fantastic, if not better, and it's so much quicker. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients. I start by sautéing onions, celery, carrots, and garlic. When the biscuits are done, I throw in a bag of frozen peas, making sure to turn off the heat first. For the chicken, I sear it for a couple of minutes on each side, then add some chicken broth and let it cook covered for 10 minutes. After shredding the chicken, I transfer it to another pot with all the delicious pan juices while I finish up the rest of the soup.

Victoria Nelson

01/20/2024 07:35:21 PM

This dish is very similar to my homemade chicken noodle soup with dumplings. I typically use either homemade noodles, frozen noodles, or high-quality egg noodles. To ensure the noodles cook properly, make sure to add extra broth for them to absorb. For added flavor, I like to include sautéed onion, celery, and carrots along with some garlic powder and other seasonings to taste. To simplify the process, I recommend preparing extra veggies when cooking other dishes and storing portions in the freezer for convenience.

Heather Gomez

03/29/2023 07:37:36 PM

I made some modifications to the recipe by using an entire 48oz container of chicken broth, 2 10oz cans of cream of chicken soup, and for a thicker consistency, I added 4 teaspoons of cornstarch. I also included 3 chicken bouillon cubes. Instead of using 2 cans of jumbo biscuits, I only used 1 can which I flattened and cut into 8 smaller pieces - they cooked better this way. I opted for pre-pulled rotisserie chicken from Walmart. I enhanced the dish with shaved carrots, and seasoned it with Italian herbs, oregano, and pepper. This recipe was super easy to make and turned out delicious!

Charles Harris

10/15/2022 05:03:51 AM

This was a fantastic recipe to begin with for a simple yet delicious chicken and dumplings dish. I kicked it off by sautéing a mirepoix with fresh garlic and herbs, then deglazed the pan with bourbon before following the rest of the recipe. The end result was incredibly tasty. Big thanks for providing such a great base recipe that can be easily customized to suit individual tastes.

Anthony White

05/06/2025 06:07:17 PM

Super fast, simple, and absolutely delicious! I cooked onions and carrots in a pan before mixing in broth and soup. I threw in a can of cream of celery too, and my family absolutely adored it!

Jack Lopez

09/08/2022 06:25:50 PM

OMG, what a score! My family absolutely adored this recipe! It was my first time making chicken and dumplings, and it turned out to be a huge success. I doubled the recipe, added an extra can of cream of chicken soup, along with some poultry seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. I also threw in a can of carrots and peas. They couldn't stop raving about it, saying it tasted like pot pie filling poured over biscuits!

Sarah Martinez

06/17/2023 09:00:40 AM

Absolutely amazing! I started by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery, while simultaneously boiling chicken breast with just a touch of salt and pepper. After shredding and adding the chicken, I mixed in the soup and stock. I ran out of stock, so I topped it off with milk. I opted for Crescent Roll dough for the dumplings, which turned out delightfully chewy - just the way dumplings should be. I sprinkled extra fresh ground pepper for added flavor. This recipe is definitely a keeper.

Jerry Jackson

04/30/2025 11:25:57 PM

Instead of cutting the biscuits into quarters, I decided to take each one and flatten it out, stretching it to about 8 inches in length before cutting them lengthwise. It required a bit of extra effort, but it brought back memories of my grandmother's baking. She used to make the dough by hand and roll it out on the kitchen counter.

Tyler Miller

02/05/2024 03:03:56 AM

Absolutely fantastic

Karen Johnson

12/17/2022 04:30:43 PM

I received this recipe back in the 1980s from an Army Sergeant. Her method involved boiling chicken in seasoned water and using the chicken stock instead of broth. I like to enhance the dish further by adding chopped celery and carrots for added flavor and texture.

Brenda Evans

09/10/2022 07:45:14 AM

Simple and fantastic! I made it with rotisserie chicken and added poultry seasoning, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, peas, and shredded carrots. My husband absolutely adored it!!!

Gary Davis

09/28/2023 08:37:35 AM

I absolutely adored it.

Kathleen Lopez

11/22/2023 06:47:48 AM

Absolutely fantastic and incredibly tasty, yet so effortless and straightforward.

Aaron Lee

08/31/2024 11:30:06 AM

I just prepared a dish that was both simple to make and absolutely delicious.

Kevin Diaz

09/16/2022 05:50:07 AM

Extremely simple to make and incredibly tasty!

Janet Campbell

06/05/2023 11:13:10 PM

Absolutely scrumptious! 😋