Quick and Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Nothing says love more than a home-cooked meal. In the South, we all know that Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food. Our version is quick and easy to make, thanks to the use of canned biscuits. We’re talking tender chicken, a creamy broth, and fluffy canned-biscuit dumplings – ready in about 30 minutes. No rolling pins. No drama. Give it a try and you’ll see why it’s love at first bite.
This classic Southern staple was adapted from my mother-in-law’s “don’t overthink it” method, and it’s the version my family loves. The easiest and fastest way to make chicken with dumplings is to use a can of biscuits. It’s true, canned biscuit dough makes excellent dumplings in this classic Southern comfort food dish. Our family loves this quick and easy recipe, and we’re confident yours will too!
Ingredients
There are only a few items that you need to make this super delicious one-pot dish:
- 32 ounces chicken broth (bone broth works too for deeper flavor)
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups cooked chicken , shredded
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuits (or 1 large can of Grands)
- Black pepper , to taste
Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicken and Dumplings With Canned Biscuits
- Heat the broth. Add the cooked chicken.
- Cut the biscuits. Slice the biscuits into small pieces (they puff!). Stir them into the broth.
- Make it creamy.
- Pepper generously. A light layer over the top does wonders.
- Simmer. Reduce heat and simmer 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dumplings are cooked through.
Pro Tip
Smaller dumplings cook more evenly, but don’t cut them too small or they will dissolve into the broth. If you’re new to biscuit dumplings, toss them very lightly in flour first to help them hold together.
Love the cozy flavors of classic chicken and dumplings? Try my Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings for a true set-it-and-forget-it dinner, or make Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings when you want the same comforting meal without turning on the stove. However you cook it, you’ll end up with the same creamy, savory goodness everyone craves.
Quick and Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
Method
- Heat chicken broth in pot on medium-high heat and cook until gently boiling. Add the shredded chicken.
- Cut biscuits into small pieces and place in chicken broth mixture. Stir well.
- Add the cream of chicken soup and stir until smooth.
- Season with black pepper.
- Reduce the heat, stir well, and let simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on brands used. Values for 2 cans of Pillsbury™ Buttermilk Refrigerated Biscuits (from a Value Pack), 2 cups of chicken, and 12 ounces of cream of chicken soup were used in the calculation.
- Smaller biscuit pieces cook more evenly.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Variations and Substitutions
- Rotisserie chicken: Total time-saver – just pull the meat and drop it in.
- Bone broth: Richer flavor, darker color.
- Half the biscuits: Prefer it soupier? Use one can of biscuits or only half of a can of Grands.
- Cream of celery and cream of chicken: A great combo if you prefer a more savory depth. (Reader-approved.)
- Add veggies: Frozen peas/carrots or mixed veg at the end for color and comfort.
- Seasoning boosts: Poultry seasoning, thyme, a pinch of cayenne, or dry mustard (a great tip from a reader to balance the sweetness of the biscuits).
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if it gets too thick.
FAQs about Chicken & Dumplings
Final Bite
If you make it, rate it (stars help me reach more hungry people) and drop your favorite twist in the comments – Bisquick? Rotisserie? Veggies? Bring it.
And if you’re on Pinterest, pin it for later so you can find it the next time your soul needs soup (and dumplings). 😉
OMG! This is delicious! Chicken & Dumplings are one of my favorite dishes but I have never made b/c -well – making dumplings from scratch is a lot of work! This was easy, so yummy AND my husband loves it – and that’s a great thing! Great recipe – Thanks – to the one I read that had a doughy mess – I stirred the dumplings about half way thru cooking to get the outer ones to the inside and cooked them about 15-20 min. YUM!
I am glad you liked it – and that you shared how to keep them from being doughy. 🙂
I made this for the first time today. It was absolutely delicious and easy. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Tami. I am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
I just tried making this tonight. I followed the recipe exactly! And it was a big doughy mess… I ended up having to put it in Pyrex and bake it in the oven. and am not even sure if it will turn out… what did I do wrong.. im very disappointed.
I am not sure what could have happened. The dumplings will be soft and “doughy” even when cooked. The size of the dumplings could have been a factor. Try making the dumplings smaller next time. (Sorry it didn’t work for you.)
I just made this and it’s very delicious and my kids love it which they are very hard to please lol. I have been looking for a simple chicken and dumplings recipe and as soon as I seen the picture and how easy it was to make it I had to go ahead and make it today and as I type this my son is already wanting more so I’m one happy mama thanks for posting this I will be making again 🙂
Thanks, Tasha, for writing me to tell me that. It makes me happy to hear it.
I make this at least once every three months! Kids loves it. Great recipe, good job. Only thing I add extra is celery.
Thank you. I would probably like the celery – if only the rest in my family would.
Hello Lynda, I made this a couple days ago and the overall flavor was good it was however extremely salty. I followed the recipe exactly, except I used canned chicken. Is there any reason for this? I would like to fix the problem so I can make it again, just with less salt. Please help! Thank you!
Hi Charissa,
I would recommend that you use a low/reduced sodium chicken broth as well as cream of chicken soup to reduce the saltiness. Check the sodium content in the broth and soup and compare them to other brands on the shelf. Pick those that have the lowest amount listed.
I hope that helps.
Thank you! I will try that! It was so easy, and thats perfect for a new mom like me. =)
Hello Lynda, I made this recipe a couple days ago and the overall flavor was good, however, it was extremely salty. I followed the recipe exactly. Is there any reason for this? I would love e to fix this problem because I would love to make it again just without all the salt. Help please! Thank you!
I made this tonight and it was really great. I did add fresh carrots, celery and onion because my mom always made it with them. I sautéed them until soft then followed recipe. I will definitely make this again. Thanks
Those additions sound wonderful. I am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Just made this for my boyfriend and his friend and myself. Great. Used jumbo buttermilk biscuits and cut into sixths. Boiled the chicken while the biscuits cooked. I worried because they got huge at first but then they shrunk to normal ish size dumplings. Added a ton of pepper, some salt and chicken seasoning blend. Great idea! Thanks!
Not sure what happened with my batch, but they definitely did not turn out like the pictures shown above….it turned into one big doughy blob! 🙁 followed the recipe but something went terribly wrong!
I am sorry to hear that. For some reason that happens for a few people. Without being there, I am unsure why.
What is the time frame for prep to table? If I am repeating a question, I am sorry. Cannot wait to try this, however I need to wait for it to get a little colder where I live.
If your chicken is pre-cooked, it should take about 30 minutes.
what kind of biscuits do u use regular r buttermilk
You could use either.
Made this tonight, absolutely wonderful! Will be making this on a regular basis! Thanks for the recipe!
Made this tonight and it’s amazing, definitely will be making this on a regular basis! THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL RECIPE!
I am glad you enjoyed it. It is delicious. 🙂
Could this be made in a crock pot?? If so how long cooking time
I have not tried to make it in a slow cooker. However, Jennifer at I Save A 2 Z has a recipe: http://www.isavea2z.com/crockpot-chicken-and-dumplings/ that might interest you. 🙂
This looks delicious! But I keep reading in the comments that you have to boil the chicken. I’m using fully cooked frozen Tyson breasts. Can I just drop them in frozen? Thanks!
I wouldn’t. It works best with chicken that is shredded. To use the Tyson frozen breasts, I would recommend thawing them per the directions on the bag. Then slice or cube the chicken and then add it.
Thank you! =)
I’m making this tonight but I have to triple the recipe to feed my family of 5. Can’t wait to try it,it looks delicious.
I think it is great. Let me know if you like it, too. 🙂
Hi I was just wondering how many this serves.
I would say 4 people, possibly up to six.