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). 😉
Will this recipe be okay for pregnant woman? Being that the biscuit dough is boiled and all? Thanks! 🙂
I would think so.
Absolutely. As long as you put a lid on in semi boiling broth it cooks them through. I always cut my biscuits into small bites. Which helps to cook them faster.. also, I like to add baby carrots to make it a little more healthy.
Thanks for this response, I was wondering the same thing!
Dear Gabby,
This has to be the stupidest comment I have ever seen! Sit back and smoke a cigarette and enjoy a glass of scotch while your chicken and dumplings cook, then eat a big bowl of this stuff! You are probably one of those women with a million bottles of hand sanitizer too. God help your poor kid with someone like you for a mother. Wrap the baby in bubble wrap and never let the little darling out of the house while you make your homemade, organic baby food. Geeze!
Dawn there’s absolutely no reason to make such rude comments. Gabby was probably concerned about the dough being unsafe. Flour can contain salmonella and e-coli. As long as it is thoroughly cooked it is perfectly safe. If you use canned biscuits as with this recipe you shouldn’t have to worry. The dough contains heated flour which kills the bacteria. Gabby sounds very concerned for her unborn child. She will be an excellent and caring Mother. I wouldn’t feel sorry for her children for a second. Honestly there’s no need to judge others in attempts to make you feel superior. It just doesn’t work Dawn.
Dawn,
Feel better about yourself? What happened to you to make you so mean and disgusting? This it isnt a good look for you.
I was thinking the same thing when I read that comment….lol
Dear Unhappy Dawn You have never unfortunately ever eaten uncooked food while you were pregnant. It’s not a Pleasant experience. But from the sounds of it you’re too busy drinking alcohol and smoking cigars to take care of Children…
Leigh, I am sorry for whatever you are going through that causes you to be so mean o a stranger.
@DAWN,
GOD DON’T LIKE UGLY! I’LL PRAY FOR YOU
Gabby, There are no stupid questions–how else will you learn?
That said. I’ve heard many a stupid answer.
Keep asking,
once having cooked and shredded the chicken and adding it to the broth and cream of chicken, will the biscuits be cooked enough by putting them directly in the pot for only 5-10 minutes? especially if i had just taken them out of the fridge?
Thanks!
It depends a lot on the temperature inside the pot. Some people prefer to let them cook a little longer than that, some like them on the doughy-side. Dumplings are an interesting creature. Don’t expect them to be anything at all like a baked biscuit that has been added to a liquid mixture.
If you are not sure how you will like them, test them after 10 minutes. If they don’t seem “done” enough for you, cook them for about another 5 minutes and then try them again.
Best wishes!
My husband and I took a few bites of this and we had to throw it in the trash. The biscuits were no where near done (despite cooking a little longer than suggested) and it was way too thick. I don’t know what happened! I’m sad because we both love chicken and dumplings.
I am sorry to hear that the recipe did not work for you. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I cut the biscuits into dime size pieces and I add an extra can of broth. Try this and see if it helps. I have enjoyed the flavor and ease of this recipe!
Add water/milk to thin it out and cook it longer to cook the biscuits to your liking. Its not rocket science.
First time cooks may think it’s “rocket science”
Why is everyone here so damn rude?
I think because they forgot this is supposed to be a comfort food!
The real flavor of chicken and dumplings is in the seasoning. Without plenty of seasoning, it’s just boiled chicken and bread dough.
how did you cook your chicken?
I often will boil a large batch (several breasts) of chicken. I then let it cool, shred it, and then divide it up and freeze in quart size freezer bags. Then whenever I want to make a batch of chicken and dumplings or another recipe calling for shredded chicken, I can either thaw it out in the fridge the night before or defrost it in the microwave before adding it to the pot.
How many people will this recipe feed?
~4 to 6, depending on how hungry they are. 😉
Can I use cream of mushroom instead of cream of chicken?
I don’t see why not.
I made this recipe this evening and it tasted a little sweet to me, not certain if it was because of the biscuits (which I have not used in the past) or if it was the Cream of Chicken soup (I accidentally bought the 98% fat free)..any ideas?
Not sure why it tasted a little sweet. You might be right in assuming that it was the biscuits.
I bet it was the fat free soup. Sugar is often replaced for fat. Fat free products always taste sweet to me, hate them.
This is a good easy recipe, I really enjoyed. I wasn’t feeling great and this made me warm and cozy! Great for a cold or a cold day:)
I have tasted the sweet before and believe it was my Grands biscuits!
I use bisquick instead of the grand biscuits and my husband said it was better than his mom’s……..SHHHH
<3 <3 <3
That’s a great idea! Thank you.
I only have 10 biscuits, will that be enough?
I would think that you could make it work.
This is my second batch and I love this easy recipe! I never thought I could make chicken and dumplings to even closely match my Grandma’s but this is very close. Thank you so much for sharing it! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. I am so delighted that you like it and that it’s close to your Grandma’s recipe. 🙂
What kind of canned biscuts
Pretty much any should work. I typically use the inexpensive Pillsbury that come in a 4-pack. (I don’t use all 4 cans!)
I’m trying this for the first time. But do I add the chicken broth to the water that you boiled my chicken in. If not this isn’t going to be enough broth
No. You add cooked chicken to the broth.
How would I make this in a Slow cooker?
I have not tried making it in a slow cooker, but reader Micheal Lee described how it can be done in a message below.
I make my dumplins about the same.
I Cook chicken in the broth 2 hours
Add 2 cans cream chicken soup
salt/pepper-I like allot of pepper too
1-tbsp poultry seasoning
4 hours-cooking low
3 can cheap biscuits
pinch/3 times/roll in flour drop in crock-pot
Cook for about 1.5 hours stir easy or dumplins will fall apart.
Granny Lee-Recipe East Texas Country Woman
My Gran-ma raised me.Taught me to cook.
This is how my Granny always made C&D, but she did add a cupish of cream to give it a creamy taste and this is still how I make them today with the cheapest canned biscuits. I have tried them with rolled out dumplings, and I dont care for them. People always wanted her recipe and they would say 1 T POULTRY SEASONING? Yes, she even added to chicken salad. People are so afraid of it, and it adds soooooo much flavor
I think your Granny knew exactly what she was doing. Her version sounds delicious!
I also add some heavy cream and poultry seasoning to this recipe and it makes it so rich and in my opinion, so much better. The last 2 times we’ve made it we’ve also added some carrot and celery chunks to beef up the recipe and it was just unbelievable. My 15 year old niece requests it in the middle of summer in Texas it’s so good!!!!
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I’m cooking it now in a slow cooker… Been cooking for about an hour and a half but the dumplings are still pretty doughy and sticky…. Will this resolve itself if it cooks longer? I tried tasting them and they still taste like uncooked biscuits… Lol
Thanks in advance
I haven’t made them in a slow cooker. Are you using LOW or HIGH heat? Also, each time you open the lid of a slow cooker, it will take a recipe longer to cook. The dumplings will be doughy even when they are finished. Without being there with you, I cannot tell what needs to be done. Have you read through the comments on this post? Some have offered helpful suggestions.
Really enjoying your blog! Your recipe is exactly how I made dumplings for years. Since I got an electric pressure cooker, I toss chicken thighs or any bone-in/skin on pieces into the cooker with about 6 to 8 cups of water and let it cook for 25 to 35 min. Then remove the chicken (de-skin and de-bone, dice), add the Cream of Chicken soup, bring to a boil and add torn or cut pieces of flour tortillas to the stock. I let them boil (stir often) for about 5 min and then add the diced chicken back in. It is just as easy, but everyone things it is completely homemade (especially if I take time to cut the flour tortillas in small rectangles to look like traditional rolled dumplings).
Kudos to you on your blog. I’m really enjoying the recipes!
Thanks, Lynn. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and to share your take using your electric pressure cooker. Sounds like something I should try. 🙂
Making some right now, I am so excited it’s my first time making them! I will let you know, my grandmother always made the best chicken and dumplings hopefully these will be just as good!!??
I am looking forward to hearing how you liked them.
Around how many will this recipe feed? I’m a college student and don’t have a lot of refrigerator space!
It should easily feed at least 4 people with hearty appetites.
Would It be good if I added some potatoes? If so how would I about doing that. Any advice?
Hi Jennifer.
That’s a good question. If I were going to try it, I would cut the potatoes into small cubes and add an additional cup of broth. I would then cook the potatoes for about 15 minutes over medium heat before moving on to step 2.
If you try it, please come back and let me know how it worked out for you.
Cheers!
Hi I tried it with some potatoes it was really great but I also added a can of corn. It was great thank you for the recipe I will do this again.
This came out fantastic. I never made this before. Everyone had double bowls. Even my little great grandsons wanted more. I’ll have to make it again real soon! I loved it.
Thanks for making my day with your sweet comment. I am delighted that your great-grandsons wanted more and that it was enjoyed. 🙂
Hi I just have a quick question? How do you make the chicken and shreds it and all a that. I don’t want to have to debone a chicken and all that- or do I have to?
Thanks!
I like to boil several breasts at one time until they are cooked. Then I let them cool and shred them with a fork (or I put them in a zippered bag and mash on them until they “shred.”). I then divided it up and place in freezer bags and freeze until I need to use shredded chicken in a recipe. (I let it thaw out overnight.).
Alternatively, Costco sells a large package of shredded chicken meat. Just use however much you would like in the recipe. You can freeze the rest for later.
Thank You! You just answered my question. I’m making this today. I’m hoping it turns out right. I Love Chicken and Dumplings.
you can also shred warm meat with your kitchen aide or any handheld mixer. works perfectly every time and it is super fast.
Another great way to shred chicken if you have a stand mixer is to boil it and then put them in your mixer for a few seconds (literally 10 seconds or fewer) and you have perfectly shredded chicken. I use it a lot for buffalo chicken dips and stuff so it’s a quick tip.
Thanks for sharing your tip!
Do you cook the chicken first before you put it in the broth?
Yes
Loved it so good!!
I loved it. I substituted the biscuits for Cresent rolls, cut with a pizza cutter as biscuits made it too doughy last time I tried. I also used Kroger rotisserie chicken that I picked off the bones since it’s already seasoned and cooked. Turned out amazing!
Thanks for sharing your experience and twist on the recipe. I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
I did everything exactly as in the recipe 🙁 could not get the dough to set. What did i do wrong ?
Not being there, it would be hard for me to tell. It may have needed a bit more time for the dough. I am sorry it did not work out for you.
yep, if you had actually included cooking times and temperatures that would have been really helpful…
Try cooking it with the lid on for ten minutes and then off for ten minutes. The biscuits will not be doughy if you do that.
Thanks for your tip!
Now everyone knows how easy these are to make. We southern girls like to make them think it takes all day. Lol ?
That is funny. 🙂
These are great! Had never made them before but now I’m making them again! 🙂
Thank you.