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). 😉
OH MY GOSH!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!! THIS IS THE BEST OF THE BEST!!!! THANKS SOO VERY MUCH FOR THIS GREAT RECIPE!!!
JESSICA–TN
I am so delighted that you enjoyed it – you are very welcome. Happy eating!
Lynda I’m fixing some right now…yummy!
🙂
Made this for our dinner this evening. It’s a nice quick and delicious meal. I actually had chicken that i boiled the other day. Kept the broth and deboned the chicken. Had enough broth to just barely cover the chicken then added the can of cream of chicken to it and quartered the biscuits and laid on top. sprinkled shredded cheese over the biscuits once they were done and let simmer for an additional 3 -5 minutes. Delicious…thank you!
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by and telling me about it.
I made this recipe tonight & my family loved it! Easy and quick and tastes great!! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for stopping by and telling me. I am delighted that your family loved it. 🙂
I had some left over turkey and searched Pinterest to find something to do with it when I came across your recipe. This was soooooo good and simple! Loved it! Perfect comfort food. Only problem……..I’m now sitting here on the coach like a beached whale. Ate way too much hahaha………Thanks so much for sharing!
Sorry couch not coach 🙂
Thanks for writing. I will have to try it with turkey sometime. 🙂
Do you flour the biscuits at all? How much chicken do you use?
There is no need to flour the biscuits. They will seem “doughy,” but that is all part of being a dumpling. 🙂 The amount of chicken is up to you. I usually use a couple of breasts worth of meat.
Has anyone ever used gnocchi?
Great question! I can see why that might work.
Thank YOU Lynda! The best recipe – reminds me of my grandma’s kitchen! Thanks for sharing so I can have these wonderful memories again!
-Isabella
You’re quite welcome, Isabella. Life should be full of happy memories. 🙂
Made this for the first time tonight. I added some extra both due to the amount of chicken I added and cooked it a little longer to cook the biscuits more. All three of my kids are eating happily, even the picky one! Thanks for helping me try something new without taking up my whole night! Great job.
Thank you for taking the time to let me know how it went. I am glad your picky one liked it (as well as the others!). 🙂
Do you boil the chicken?
Yes. I like to take a day and boil a lot of chicken. Once it is cooked well, I drain it, and then shred it. I allow it to cool and then I divide it up and freeze in proportions ready to be used in different recipes.
Huge sticky mess. Will not do this again. Followed directions to a T.
I am sorry it did not work out for you.
How many servings is this for, an what size can of cream of chicken
The serving size would depend on how much each person wants, but it should feed at 4-6 adults. A typical can of cream of chicken will work.
I don’t have any broth or bouillon cubes can I still make it
I would advise not to. If you have a whole chicken, you could possibly make your own broth, strain it, and then make the dumplings.
Just use the water you boil the chicken in as the stock should be fine. It may not be as flavorful as using the store bought broth or stock but it will get you by.
My mother-in-law has made her dumplings with biscuits forever. I never have tried it before, but when I saw this easy recipe I just had to try it. Used 2 cans of store brand biscuits and they turned out great. I did cook them a few minutes more to make them a little less doughy. I also used part of a can of chicken white meat. We will have these again really soon. Thanks for the recipe.
The recipe worked the way it says. Quick and easy. I used 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts and a 10oz. can of cream of chicken soup. The breasts were slightly large and not thin cut. It was definitely creamy. I used 2 cans of Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits. The same biscuits I use for other things. I did have to get over the idea that I was tasting biscuit dough in my chicken and dumplings. This was my first dish using biscuit dough. Highly recommended.
Thank you. I, too, had to do the same thing when it came to eating biscuit dough that had not been baked in the oven. Once I came to terms, I came to love the dish.
I made this tonight..tasted sooo good but there was like no broth at all!!! how many chicken breast do you use?:)
I usually use a couple of breasts. Chicken and Dumplings is not soupy, but rather more like a stew. It should be creamy.
My family and I love this recipe, Thank You for sharing!
You’re welcome. 🙂 Thanks for letting me know that you love it.
I made these tonight and I must say, the BEST chicken and dumplings I have ever made or tasted!! So simple and yet so good!!! I will be sharing this recipe with my friend and co-workers… Love this new found site and page on Facebook!!
Thanks, Beth. You made my
day. Make that my week! 🙂