Chicken And Dumpling Casserole Recipe
Chicken and dumpling casserole has become a beloved comfort food for over 65% of American families seeking a hearty home-cooked meal. You'll want to master this classic dish that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, soul-warming experience. Whether you're a novice cook or seasoned home chef, this recipe promises a foolproof path to a delicious dinner that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Curious how a few pantry staples can create such culinary magic?
Recipe Highlights
- Combine cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk, and shredded chicken in a large bowl, creating a creamy base for the casserole.
- Layer prepared biscuit dough pieces evenly over the chicken mixture in a 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Bake the casserole at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the filling becomes bubbly and hot.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to set and achieve the ideal serving consistency.
- This Southern-inspired comfort dish offers a convenient, one-pan meal that transforms traditional chicken and dumplings into an easy-to-prepare casserole.
History
Although chicken and dumplings have deep roots in Southern American cuisine, the casserole version represents a more modern twist on the traditional dish.
You'll find that this adaptation emerged in the mid-20th century when home cooks sought convenience without sacrificing flavor. The transformation from stovetop to casserole pan reflected changing kitchen dynamics, where busy families needed simpler meal preparation techniques.
Southern and Midwestern regions embraced this evolution, turning the classic comfort food into a streamlined recipe that could be assembled quickly and baked with minimal supervision.
Immigrants from Europe, particularly Germany and Eastern Europe, influenced the original dumpling techniques, bringing their hearty one-pot meal traditions to American kitchens.
The casserole format allowed for easier serving and enhanced portability, making it a perfect potluck and family gathering dish.
Recipe
Chicken and Dumpling Casserole brings the ultimate comfort of a classic soup into an easy, one-dish meal that's perfect for family dinners. This simplified version transforms the traditional stovetop recipe into a convenient casserole that's both hearty and delicious.
By baking the chicken and dumplings together, you create a creamy, satisfying dish that captures all the rich flavors of the original recipe with minimal preparation time. The biscuit dough transforms into tender, pillowy dumplings that soak up the savory sauce, making every bite a warm and comforting experience.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup milk
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and milk until smooth and well combined.
Gently stir in the shredded chicken, ensuring it's evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Pour the chicken mixture into the baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Cut the refrigerated biscuit dough into small, uniform pieces and arrange them in a single layer over the chicken mixture. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the biscuit pieces are golden brown and cooked through.
For the best results, cut the biscuit dough into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. If the casserole seems too thick, add a bit more chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency.
You can also prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it, adding the biscuit dough just before baking for maximum convenience.
Cooking Steps
You'll start by carefully gathering and measuring your ingredients, ensuring each component is ready for mixing.
Next, thoroughly combine the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk, and shredded chicken in a large bowl, creating a smooth, creamy base for your casserole.
Once mixed, spread the chicken mixture evenly in your baking dish, then top with uniformly cut biscuit pieces that'll transform into golden, pillowy dumplings during baking.
Step 1. Gather and Measure Ingredients
Before diving into this comforting chicken and dumpling casserole, you'll want to carefully assemble all your ingredients on the countertop. Gather your pre-measured ingredients: two cans of cream of chicken soup, three cups of shredded chicken, two cups of chicken broth, two cups of refrigerated biscuit dough, and one cup of milk.
Verify each ingredient's freshness and measurement accuracy. Use measuring cups with clear markings to ensure precision. Sort ingredients in order of use: soup, broth, and milk first, then chicken, and finally biscuit dough. Check that your chicken is thoroughly cooked and shredded into uniform pieces. Position your ingredients near your mixing bowl and baking dish for efficient preparation.
Step 2. Mix Ingredients Thoroughly
Whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and milk in a large mixing bowl, creating a smooth, creamy base for your casserole. Blend the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring no lumps remain by using smooth, consistent circular motions with your whisk.
Next, fold in the shredded chicken, distributing it evenly throughout the liquid mixture. You'll want to stir carefully, making sure each piece of chicken gets coated with the creamy sauce. The goal is a uniform consistency that promises delicious flavor in every bite.
Pay attention to texture and distribution: gentle stirring prevents breaking down the chicken while ensuring comprehensive coverage. A wooden spoon or silicone spatula works perfectly for this step, allowing you to see and feel the ingredient integration.
Step 3. Spread Chicken Mixture Evenly
Transfer the creamy chicken mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it with deliberate, even motions to ensure a uniform base for your casserole. Use a large spoon or spatula to distribute the mixture, making sure it reaches all corners and creates a level surface about 1-2 inches deep.
Key spreading techniques include:
- Tilt the dish slightly to help the mixture settle
- Use the back of a spoon to smooth out any lumps
- Check for consistent thickness across the entire pan
Pay attention to the edges, where the mixture can sometimes pool unevenly. Gently tap the baking dish on the counter to release any air bubbles and help the mixture settle naturally.
This careful spreading ensures each bite will have the perfect balance of creamy sauce and tender chicken.
Step 4. Add Biscuit Pieces
Since the creamy chicken mixture is perfectly spread, you'll now want to arrange the biscuit pieces strategically across the casserole's surface.
Cut each refrigerated biscuit into quarters, creating roughly uniform pieces that'll cook evenly. Distribute them gently across the top, making sure they're not overlapping significantly but covering most of the chicken mixture.
The goal is a rustic, slightly irregular pattern that'll create golden, crispy edges during baking.
- Space biscuit pieces about 1/4 inch apart
- Ensure no large gaps exist in coverage
- Avoid pressing biscuits deep into the mixture
As you place the pieces, they'll naturally start to absorb the creamy sauce, promising a deliciously tender texture once baked.
Your casserole is now ready for its final transformation in the oven.
Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown
One pivotal moment now arrives as you'll slide your carefully prepared chicken and dumpling casserole into the preheated 350°F oven, where golden-brown perfection awaits.
Watch closely during the 30-35 minute baking window, ensuring your biscuit pieces transform into a beautiful, crispy topping.
The visual cues you'll track include:
- Even, golden-brown color across the surface
- Slight bubbling around the casserole's edges
- Biscuit pieces that look puffy and well-risen
Check doneness by inserting a knife near the center; it should come out clean with no raw dough residue.
The top should have a uniform, appetizing amber hue, indicating the biscuits have cooked through completely.
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, allowing the creamy sauce to set and flavors to meld.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting to explore comfort food recipes, this chicken and dumpling casserole offers a delightful twist on a classic dish.
You'll appreciate how simple it's to transform a traditional stovetop favorite into an easy, crowd-pleasing meal. The recipe's flexibility allows you to customize it with additional herbs or vegetables, making it perfect for using up leftover ingredients.
Remember to monitor your baking time carefully, ensuring the biscuit topping reaches a golden-brown perfection without becoming dry. By following the straightforward steps, you'll create a hearty, satisfying dish that brings warmth and comfort to your dinner table.
This casserole proves that delicious, home-cooked meals don't have to be complicated or time-consuming.
