My recipe for rotisserie chicken and dumplings has thousands of fans. The chicken stew takes help from a rotisserie chicken, but the dumplings are made from-scratch and practically fool-proof.
I think of chicken and dumplings as the ultimate comfort food recipe. This is a meal that my kids request often, making it a family favorite. Tender chicken and veggies in a thick broth with a homemade dumplings recipe?! Yes, please! Since making these for the first time, I’ve tweaked it over the years. The biggest change I’ve made is adding more chicken broth, based on reader comments. I also use more short cuts to get this comforting one pot meal on my dinner table in record time, without sacrificing flavor. You’re going to absolutely love the taste of my rotisserie chicken and dumplings. It’s an easy recipe that can even be relied upon for busy weeknights.
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Pro tips
- Purchase rotisserie chicken ahead if it’s on sale (or you have a Costco membership). Shred the chicken and place it in a freezer-safe zippered bag and freeze for up to one month. Then you’ll have chicken ready to go for whenever you want to make my rotisserie chicken and dumplings.
- Or use my fan-favorite recipe for cooking frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker to prepare cooked chicken in advance for this recipe.
Ingredients for rotisserie chicken and dumplings
For the dumpling soup or chicken stew (I’m never sure what to call it)
- Rotisserie Chicken – A whole rotisserie chicken will give you about 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken. Pre cooked shredded chicken helps you to get this meal on your table FAST. But it still tastes like an old-fashioned recipe. You can use 3 cups of homemade chicken that you have cooked at home if you prefer.
- Frozen Mirepoix – I used to hand chop my celery, carrots and onion. And by all means if you want to do that, I’m not going to stop you. But in the past couple of years I’ve discovered frozen mirepoix and it saves me so much time in the kitchen. I love it!
- Fresh Parsley – The bright green color and flavor of fresh parsley really helps to elevate my recipe. You can also use help here. I love this semi-dried parsley that is already chopped. Find it in the fresh produce section of your grocery store.
- Butter – Butter adds flavor and helps to cook the mirepoix to start the stew. You could use olive oil instead if you prefer.
- Seasonings – You can play around here with what your personal taste preferences are. I like smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, thyme, salt and black pepper. I’ve also added Worcestershire sauce, white wine, lemon juice. Make the flavor profile your own!
- Chicken Broth – My original recipe called for only four cups of chicken broth (or chicken stock) but it really needs six to have enough gravy-like broth to go with all the dumplings.
- Cream of Chicken Soup – This helps to thicken and add flavor (it’s cheating really) since this recipe is so quick to make. I’ve also used Cream of Celery and Cream of Onion soup in the past.
For the homemade dumpling recipe
- Flour – Use all-purpose flour for the dumplings. I have not tested this recipe with gluten-free flour, so I cannot recommend it.
- Baking Powder – Four teaspoons of baking powder help to make these dumplings really light and fluffy.
- Salt – Helps to add flavor to the dumplings.
- Butter – I melt my butter in the microwave, then add the milk. And microwave them a little bit together until they are warmed through. Whisk and then stir in to the flour mixture.
- Milk – I usually use whole milk in this recipe. You could even use full fat buttermilk if you want more of a ‘buttermilk biscuits’ flavor. I’m not trying to save calories or sacrifice flavor when I make this recipe.
- Variations – If you want to add even more veggies to this delicious meal, throw in a cup or two of frozen peas or frozen green beans when you add the chicken and broth to the pot.
Pro tips
- Purchase rotisserie chicken ahead if it’s on sale. Shred the chicken and place it in a freezer-safe zippered bag and freeze for up to one month. Then you’ll have chicken ready to go for whenever you want to make chicken and dumplings.
- Or use my fan-favorite recipe for cooking frozen chicken in the Crock-Pot to prepare your cooked chicken in advance.
Storage directions
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave. I have not tried freezing the leftovers of this recipe. Let me know in the comments if you do.
Kitchen tools
- Use a stock pot to make these easy chicken and dumplings from scratch. You can really use any type of large soup pot or large dutch oven to make these chicken and dumplings. But I like how a glass lid helps you to see the dumplings while they are cooking.
- I use this cookie scoop to drop the dumpling dough into the pot.
More chicken recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Tarragon
- French Onion Chicken Soup
- Chicken Divan
- Southwest Chicken and Dumplings
Simply Delicious Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken white and dark meat shredded and skin removed
- 12 oz frozen mirepoix blend celery, carrots and onion
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- In a large stock pot over medium-high heat, melt the two tablespoons of butter and add the frozen mirepoix blend, parsley and all the seasonings - Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, one teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook until the vegetables are starting to soften, about 3 - 4 minutes.
- Add the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth and shredded rotisserie chicken. Stir well. Bring to a low boil and reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
- To make the dumplings, whisk together the flour, baking powder and remaining teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the milk and melted butter in a smaller bowl or glass measuring cup. I like to microwave both the melted butter and cold milk together after I've combined them to bring them closer to the same temperature. Whisk them together then pour the milk and melted butter mixture into the flour mixture and stir together with a spatula until a smooth ball of dough forms.
- Using a 1.5 tablespoon capacity cookie scoop, drop the dumpling dough into the simmering stew one at a time until all the dough has been used. The dough should make 15 dumplings.
- Cover the pot and allow to cook (without uncovering) on a low simmer for 25 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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Joanna Stephens says
I love the idea of using rotisserie chicken for this chicken and dumplings! Sounds delicious!!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much Joanna!
Angi says
This was delicious! I put in 2 tsp of pepper to give it a bit more kick and we all just loved it. I’ve been looking for the perfect recipe for chicken ‘n dumplings and this is it!
foodtasticmom says
Love it. Thanks for the rating and comment!
Chelly says
Made this tonight for dinner. The only addition was some half and half for a creamier soup. I also used a 1/2 tablespoon to make smaller dumplings. My husband and son loved it as well. Thanks for the recipe!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you. I love getting positive reviews 🙂
Pam says
Thanks for the recipe. This is a 5 star. I found it in August and I have made it several times. Never have I made better dumplings.
foodtasticmom says
Love this review. So happy that you enjoy my recipe for chicken and dumplings. Thanks very much Pam!
Matt says
Thank you for sharing this amazing and easy to follow recipe it’s now a staple in my family.
foodtasticmom says
I’m very happy to hear this Matt. Thanks for the positive review and rating!
Rose says
I have been making the same recipe for chicken and dumplings forever. I decided to try your recipe because I didn’t have to cook the chicken first. It was much simplier starting with a rotisserie chicken. My husband loved it, but I liked it better the second day. The only change I made was to use the red lobster cheddar bay biscuits recipe for the dumplings.
foodtasticmom says
Oh wow. The cheddar bay biscuit recipe would be an amazing addition. So you used that recipe and they cooked up well as dumplings? That is great to know. I will have to try it!
Rose says
I used the box mix and had to cook them about 5 minutes longer. Your recipe was the first time I tried it. I wish it was my idea, but I saw it on Pinterest. It worked!
foodtasticmom says
Glad to hear it!
Amy | The Cook Report says
Chicken and dumplings is my ultimate comfort food, this version looks fantastic!
foodtasticmom says
It really is. One of our all-time favorite family dinners. Thanks Amy!
Juli says
This brings back childhood memories! My mom made chicken and dumplings often! Looks like amazing comfort food! Thank you for this post!!!
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome. I hope you try this version and let me know what you think!
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
I was just telling me son that I needed to make him chicken and dumplings! I can’t believe he’s 11 and I’ve never made it as it was one of my favorites growing up – pinning this for SOON!
foodtasticmom says
So happy to hear this. Thank you for the Pin and come back to let me know what you both think!
Emma says
What a hearty, warming dinner – perefect now that the nights are getting colder!
foodtasticmom says
Yes, chicken and dumplings are the ultimate comfort food!
Ruchi says
Oh, chicken and dumplings is an ultimate comfort food in my house. Family favorite favorite and absolutely delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Ruchi!
Mandy says
I had a craving for chicken and dumplings today and although I’ve never made them before, they turned out great! My husband loved them, too! This recipe is a keeper!
foodtasticmom says
I’m so happy to hear this Mandy. Thanks for taking the time to come back and comment!
Sasha says
I love this recipe! And so does my family. Best comfort food. May daughter requests it all the time❤️
foodtasticmom says
Love hearing this. Thank you for taking the time to rate and comment.
Amy says
Made tonight for family. It was delicious! They whole family enjoyed and it was pretty easy recipe. Thank you!
foodtasticmom says
And thank you for taking the time to come back and rate the recipe. I’m so happy that your family enjoyed this recipe 🙂
Christie says
This recipe is so easy and delicious! This is definitely a keeper. Thank you so much!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you for leaving the positive rating!
Kayla says
Yum! Made this tonight and it was so good! I’ve tried other recipes using the canned biscuit and it turned out so gross. Decided to try it this way and it’s worth the extra work. And it wasn’t even that hard! Everyone loved it!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Kayla! I’m glad you said the dumplings weren’t that hard. They really aren’t! I’m so happy you enjoyed this meal 🙂
Janice says
Can you freeze the chicken and dumplings? Going out of town and trying to find dinners I can freeze!!! This looks SO delicious!!!
foodtasticmom says
I haven’t tried freezing them. But I think you could. I’m wondering if the texture of the dumplings would change much after thawing? Let me know if you try freezing this recipe!
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
Chicken and dumplings are a classic comfort food in my husband’s family, as well – I love the idea of adding the veggies, as you suggest, to make it a bit more well-rounded for family dinner! So delicious. Also, it’s adorable that your son requests this before a swim meet. Carb-loading in the most delicious possible way! 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much Monica. He’s a good eater 🙂
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I love chicken and dumplings and you make them just like my Mom and grandmother do — which is to say – the right way. Have you seen those “northern dumplings” that are nothing more than a noodle? I was like, what??? This looks perfect!
foodtasticmom says
Yeah I don’t get calling a noodle a dumpling. Thanks for the compliment 🙂
Brian Jones says
I see chicken and dumplings pop up from time to time on the web and always think I must get round to that and for some odd reason I never do. This looks glorious. I really must give it a try!
foodtasticmom says
You really should try these Brian – it’s a family and reader favorite.
Claire says
Whenever my children are unwell or have been out at sport all day in winter. This is the dish they request.
So good with plenty of ‘feel good; factor..
It is the savory equivalent of a chocolate cake 😀
foodtasticmom says
Such a great comparison!
Natalie says
Looks so delicious and perfect for dinner on cold winter days! Can’t wait to try this recipe ♥
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Natalie