Save 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.
Save 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.
Save 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.