Chicken Dumplings Casserole

Featured in: Daily Cravings

This comforting dish features tender chicken simmered with carrots, celery, peas, and aromatic thyme in a creamy sauce. Fluffy, golden dumplings dot the top, baked to perfection until light and fluffy. Perfect for an easy family meal, its hearty flavors come together harmoniously in a single casserole dish. Simple steps include sautéing fresh vegetables, thickening the sauce, and combining the fluffy dumpling dough before baking.

Enjoy this satisfying casserole served warm, paired nicely with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables. Make-ahead options and ingredient swaps allow customization to suit your taste and schedule.

Updated on Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:26:00 GMT
Chicken and Dumplings Casserole, bubbling hot, with golden dumplings atop a creamy chicken and veggie filling. Save
Chicken and Dumplings Casserole, bubbling hot, with golden dumplings atop a creamy chicken and veggie filling. | cravebop.com

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

My family loves this casserole on chilly evenings. It brings back memories of sharing warm meals, and once I made this after a busy week, everyone requested seconds.

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: 1/4 cup (plus 1 cup for dumplings)
  • Chicken broth: 2 cups
  • Whole milk: 1 cup (plus 1/2 cup for dumplings)
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon (plus 1/2 teaspoon for dumplings)
  • Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
  • Unsalted butter (dumplings): 2 tablespoons, melted
  • Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Prepare oven:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cook 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 vegetables and stir for 1 minute.
Make sauce:
Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Cook until thickened, stir frequently for 3 to 4 minutes.
Combine chicken and veggies:
Add cooked chicken, peas, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix well.
Assemble casserole:
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Make dumpling dough:
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt for dumplings. Stir in melted butter and milk just until combined. Fold in parsley if using.
Add dumplings:
Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough evenly over chicken mixture.
Bake:
Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until dumplings are golden and cooked through.
Cool and serve:
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
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Last Thanksgiving, my kids eagerly helped drop the dumplings on top and watched through the oven door as they puffed up. Sharing scoops of this casserole around the table is now our tradition.

Make Ahead & Storage

Prepare the chicken mixture and dumpling dough separately. Keep covered in the fridge up to 24 hours, assemble and bake just before serving. Leftover casserole stores well for up to 3 days.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a light green salad or steamed green beans for a balanced meal. Sprinkle parsley on top for color and freshness.

Nutrition Info

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

A close-up of the Chicken and Dumplings Casserole shows soft, fluffy dumplings over a rich, savory chicken base. Save
A close-up of the Chicken and Dumplings Casserole shows soft, fluffy dumplings over a rich, savory chicken base. | cravebop.com

Dig into this casserole for a simple, satisfying dinner. It is a cozy choice any time you crave classic comfort food.

Recipe Guide

What type of chicken works best?

Cooked chicken, whether roasted, shredded, or diced, works well. Rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut that adds great flavor.

Can I use frozen vegetables in this dish?

Yes, frozen peas and mixed vegetables can be used for convenience without sacrificing taste.

How do I achieve fluffy dumplings?

Gently fold the dough ingredients and avoid overmixing. Drop spoonfuls evenly and bake until golden and cooked through.

Is there a way to prepare this dish ahead of time?

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

What herbs can I use besides thyme?

Rosemary or sage are excellent alternatives that bring a different but complementary flavor profile.

Chicken Dumplings Casserole

Tender chicken and vegetables with fluffy dumplings baked in a creamy, savory sauce.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
40 min
Complete duration
60 min
Created by Lindsey Carter


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Nutrition labels None specified

What you'll need

Chicken Mixture

01 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
02 1 cup carrots, diced
03 1 cup celery, diced
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)

Method

Phase 01

Preheat Oven: Set oven temperature to 400°F.

Phase 02

Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, cooking until softened, approximately 5 minutes.

Phase 03

Incorporate Flour: Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir continuously for 1 minute to form a roux.

Phase 04

Add Liquids: Whisk in chicken broth and milk gradually. Continue cooking while stirring until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Phase 05

Combine Chicken and Seasonings: Stir in cooked chicken, peas, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme until fully integrated.

Phase 06

Prepare Casserole Dish: Transfer the chicken mixture evenly into a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Phase 07

Mix Dumpling Dough: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add melted butter and milk, stirring just until incorporated. Fold in parsley if desired.

Phase 08

Top with Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter evenly over the chicken mixture surface.

Phase 09

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

Phase 10

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

Tools needed

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

Allergy alerts

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical advice if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk, and dairy. Verify chicken broth for allergens if pre-packaged.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 420
  • Fats: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 29 g