If you’ve ever been intimidated by making chicken and dumplings, then this chicken and dumpling casserole is the perfect solution. It takes the hassle out of the dish while keeping all the delicious flavors. I was looking for a simple meal that wouldn’t take too much time, and this recipe was just what I needed.
I was worried it might involve too much work, but using a rotisserie chicken made it a quick fix for a busy weeknight. The result was a fabulous dish that even my kids, who usually prefer chicken legs, couldn’t resist. It’s a meal I’m excited to try again, and I might even make a turkey version this weekend.
How to Make Chicken and Dumplings Casserole
Start by preheating your oven to 350F degrees. Then, spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add chopped onion and celery.
Let them cook for about 8-10 minutes until the veggies become soft. Season them with a pinch of salt and pepper as the butter melts. Once cooked, pour the veggie mixture into your prepared baking dish.
Next, add the shredded chicken in a layer on top of the veggies, and season again with a bit of salt and pepper. In a bowl, combine self-rising flour with milk, then pour it over the chicken without stirring the layers.
In another bowl, mix chicken broth and cream of chicken soup, season with salt and pepper, and then pour this mixture over the chicken as well. Bake the casserole for about 45 minutes or until it is set. After it’s done, sprinkle some dried parsley on top for extra flavor and color.
Ingredients:
3-4 cups of cooked chicken I use a rotisserie chicken
2 cups chicken broth
¼ cup unsalted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Melt the butter and pour it into a 9×13 casserole dish. Next, shred the chicken and place it on top of the melted butter. Finally, sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder over the chicken to season it perfectly.
In a bowl, whisk together milk and flour (or baking mix). Slowly pour this mixture over the chicken, making sure not to stir the chicken and the flour mixture together
Whisk together the chicken broth and a can of cream of chicken soup, then pour it over the flour and milk mixture in the casserole. Make sure not to stir the casserole. Next, bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown. After baking, let stand for about 10 minutes. The casserole might look a bit soupy right out of the oven, but it will set up and become thicker as you serve it.
FAQ
Could I use store-bought cooked chicken?
If you’re short on time, there’s no need to make everything from scratch. You can easily use rotisserie chicken instead. For a family size meal, grab a rotisserie chicken from Costco, dice it up, and you’ll need about 3 cups of pulled chicken. It’s a huge timesaver and still gives you that delicious chicken flavor in your chicken and dumpling casserole
Can I substitute self-rising flour with all-purpose flour?
If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can easily substitute it with all-purpose flour. Just remember that self-rising flour contains a leavening agent and salt, so when using all-purpose flour, you’ll need to add these additional ingredients. For every 1 cup of all-purpose flour, stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk everything together and then continue with your chicken and dumpling casserole recipe as usual.
What if I don’t like celery?
Just omit it; there’s no need to substitute it with anything.
Can You Put Raw Chicken in a Casserole?
It’s not ideal to put raw chicken directly into a casserole without properly considering the cooking process. Since casseroles are often made with cooked meats, adding raw chicken can cause the other ingredients to be overcooked by the time the meat is fully cooked. In most casserole recipes, when raw meat is used, it’s typically started first in the cooking process because it takes longer to cook than the other ingredients
Can I substitute margarine for butter?
Margarine (such as Country Crock) won’t work in this recipe because it’s mostly oil. Using margarine will prevent the recipe from coming together as expected.
What other cream soups could I use?
It all depends on what your family prefers. You can easily substitute with cream of mushroom, cream of onion, or cream of celery.
Can Chicken and Dumpling Casserole Be Frozen?
I don’t recommend freezing chicken and dumpling casserole. When you reheat it from frozen, the texture will be off compared to when it’s made fresh. However, if you don’t mind that it won’t have the same texture as if you made it fresh, then it’s fine. Some people prefer to enjoy the taste of a recipe, even if the texture isn’t perfect. But for the casserole to turn out just as intended, it should not be frozen.
