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Chicken Dumplings Comfort Bake

Featured in: Warm Family Dinners

This hearty dish combines tender chicken, fresh carrots, celery, peas, and savory herbs in a creamy sauce. Fluffy dumplings made from flour, butter, and milk are gently dropped on top and baked until golden. The resulting bake is warm, comforting, and perfect for a satisfying main course. Simple to prepare, it offers a balance of textures and flavors with a rich, savory finish.

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Updated on Sat, 15 Nov 2025 10:07:00 GMT
Golden-brown Chicken and Dumplings Casserole bubbling in a baking dish, ready to be served. Save
Golden-brown Chicken and Dumplings Casserole bubbling in a baking dish, ready to be served. | amberladle.com

A comforting, hearty casserole combining tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings baked in a creamy, savory sauce.

This casserole reminds me of the first chilly autumn night we baked it together: everyone kept coming back for seconds and the creamy sauce filled our kitchen with warmth and comfort.

Ingredients

  • Cooked chicken: 2 cups, shredded or diced
  • Carrots: 1 cup, diced
  • Celery: 1 cup, diced
  • Frozen peas: 1 cup
  • Onion: 1 small, diced
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup
  • All-purpose flour (for filling): 1/4 cup
  • Chicken broth: 2 cups
  • Whole milk (for filling): 1 cup
  • Salt (for filling): 1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
  • All-purpose flour (for dumplings): 1 cup
  • Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
  • Salt (for dumplings): 1/2 teaspoon
  • Unsalted butter (for dumplings): 2 tablespoons, melted
  • Whole milk (for dumplings): 1/2 cup
  • Fresh parsley (optional): 2 tablespoons, chopped

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Sauté Vegetables:
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add Flour:
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute.
Make Sauce:
Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
Combine Filling:
Add cooked chicken, peas, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir to combine.
Transfer to Casserole Dish:
Transfer the chicken mixture to a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Prepare Dumplings:
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt for the dumplings. Stir in melted butter and milk until just combined. Fold in parsley if using.
Add Dumplings:
Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough evenly over the chicken mixture.
Bake:
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until dumplings are golden and cooked through.
Rest:
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Casserole with fluffy, baked dumplings and savory chicken pieces. Save
Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Casserole with fluffy, baked dumplings and savory chicken pieces. | amberladle.com

One cozy evening, my kids helped drop dumplings onto the casserole and couldn't wait for it to finish baking: it's now a top-requested family favorite.

Required Tools

Large skillet, mixing bowls, whisk, 9x13-inch casserole dish, measuring cups and spoons, oven.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), milk, dairy. Double-check broth if store-bought for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 420, Total Fat: 17 g, Carbohydrates: 38 g, Protein: 29 g.

Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Casserole, a comforting American classic bubbling in the oven, ready to eat. Save
Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Casserole, a comforting American classic bubbling in the oven, ready to eat. | amberladle.com

Serve warm with a green salad or steamed veggies: leftovers taste even better the next day.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of chicken is best for this dish?

Using cooked, shredded or diced chicken works well. Rotisserie chicken can save time and adds great flavor.

→ Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh carrots, celery, peas, and onion are ideal and should be sautéed until tender before baking.

→ How do I ensure the dumplings cook evenly?

Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough evenly over the chicken mixture and bake uncovered until golden and cooked through.

→ Can herbs be substituted or added?

Rosemary or sage are great alternatives to thyme and can enhance the flavor profile.

→ What sides pair well with this casserole?

A light green salad or steamed green beans complement the richness of the dish nicely.

→ Is it possible to prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the chicken mixture and dumpling dough separately, then assemble and bake just before serving.

Chicken Dumplings Comfort Bake

Hearty chicken with vegetables and fluffy dumplings baked in a creamy sauce for cozy meals.

Prep time
20 min
Cook time
40 min
Overall time
60 min
Created by Rachel Hayes


Skill required Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Serving size

Diet preferences None specified

What you need

Chicken Mixture

01 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
02 1 cup diced carrots
03 1 cup diced celery
04 1 cup frozen peas
05 1 small onion, diced
06 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 1/4 cup unsalted butter
08 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
09 2 cups chicken broth
10 1 cup whole milk
11 1 teaspoon salt
12 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Dumplings

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
05 1/2 cup whole milk
06 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

How to make it

Step 01

Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.

Step 02

Sauté vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, approximately 5 minutes.

Step 03

Incorporate flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the sautéed vegetables and stir continuously for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.

Step 04

Add liquids and thicken: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 05

Combine chicken and seasonings: Stir in the cooked chicken, frozen peas, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme until fully incorporated.

Step 06

Transfer to casserole dish: Pour the chicken mixture into a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 07

Prepare dumpling dough: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and whole milk until just combined. Fold in chopped parsley if using.

Step 08

Top with dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough evenly over the chicken mixture surface.

Step 09

Bake casserole: Place uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until dumplings are golden brown and cooked through.

Step 10

Rest before serving: Allow to cool for 5 minutes to set before serving.

Equipment needed

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • 9x13-inch casserole dish
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Oven

Allergy info

Always review ingredients for allergens. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk, and dairy. Verify broth for additional allergens if store-bought.

Nutrition details (each serving)

Nutritional details are for reference and aren't a substitute for healthcare guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 420
  • Fat content: 17 g
  • Carbohydrate: 38 g
  • Protein amount: 29 g