Winter nights were made for comfort food, and this Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole is the ultimate cozy, satisfying dish. Tender chicken, pillowy dumplings, and a rich, creamy sauce come together to create a meal that’s sure to warm you from the inside out. Get ready to dive into a bowl of pure comfort and enjoy the flavors of the season.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole for Winter Nights
This Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole is the epitome of winter comfort food. The combination of juicy, tender chicken, pillowy dumplings, and a velvety, lush sauce is truly craveable. It’s the perfect dish to cozy up with on a chilly evening, filling your home with the aroma of homemade goodness. Plus, with easy, step-by-step instructions, you can enjoy this hearty, satisfying meal without any fuss. It’s a sure-fire way to bring the whole family together and create lasting memories around the table.
Ingredients
The key to this Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole is the high-quality, flavorful ingredients. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, creamy soup, broth, and a few simple pantry staples to create the rich, velvety sauce. For the dumplings, you’ll use a combination of flour, baking powder, butter, and milk to achieve that perfect, light and fluffy texture.
- 1 lb – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (10.5 oz) can – Cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup – Chicken broth
- 2 tbsp – Unsalted butter
- 1 (10 oz) can – Biscuit dough
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts: Chicken thighs (dark meat has more flavor)
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Cream of mushroom or cream of celery (dietary swap)
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole for Winter Nights
Start by preheating your oven and preparing the chicken. Cut the breasts into bite-sized pieces, then season them with salt, pepper, and any other spices you love. In a large skillet, sauté the chicken until it’s just cooked through, then transfer it to a baking dish. Next, make the creamy sauce. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. Whisk in the cream of chicken soup and broth, then let the mixture simmer until it thickens slightly. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the baking dish. Now it’s time to make the dumplings. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then stir in the milk just until a soft dough forms. Drop the dough by large spoonfuls onto the chicken and sauce, covering the entire surface. Bake the casserole until the dumplings are golden brown and cooked through, about 30 minutes. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, then dig in and enjoy the comforting, creamy goodness!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven and preparing the chicken. Cut the breasts into bite-sized pieces, then season them with salt, pepper, and any other spices you love. In a large skillet, sauté the chicken until it’s just cooked through, then transfer it to a baking dish.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Next, make the creamy sauce. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. Whisk in the cream of chicken soup and broth, then let the mixture simmer until it thickens slightly. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the baking dish.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Now it’s time to make the dumplings. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then stir in the milk just until a soft dough forms. Drop the dough by large spoonfuls onto the chicken and sauce, covering the entire surface.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Bake the casserole until the dumplings are golden brown and cooked through, about 30 minutes. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, then dig in and enjoy the comforting, creamy goodness!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Veggie Mix-In: Add frozen peas or carrots to the chicken mixture for a pop of color and texture.
- Thicker Sauce: Whisk in a bit of all-purpose flour or cornstarch before baking for a richer, more velvety sauce.
- Flakier Dumplings: Use cold cubed butter instead of melted for a more biscuit-like texture.
- Flavor Swap: Experiment with different types of cream-based soups, like mushroom or celery, to change up the flavor profile.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Fresh green salad, crusty bread.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Oven or microwave until heated through.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 2 days in advance, then bake when ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
This Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that’s sure to satisfy. Each serving contains approximately 450 calories, 25 grams of protein, and 25 grams of carbohydrates. It’s a well-balanced meal that will leave you feeling warm, cozy, and nourished.
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 25 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make the dumplings even fluffier?
To achieve super-light and fluffy dumplings, be sure not to overmix the dough. Gently fold in the milk just until the dough comes together, then use a light hand when dropping the dough onto the casserole.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole up to 2 days in advance, then bake it when you’re ready to serve. Just keep the unbaked casserole covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to pop it in the oven.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe. Just be sure to thaw them completely before cutting and cooking the chicken.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the dumplings, and choose a cream of chicken soup that is certified gluten-free.
Can I substitute the dumplings with something else?
Absolutely! If you’re not in the mood for dumplings, you can top the casserole with mashed potatoes, biscuits, or even a flaky pie crust for a delicious alternative.
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Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole for Cozy Winter Nights
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: 🍲 Comfort Classics & Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Warm up your winter nights with this creamy chicken and dumpling casserole. It’s a comforting blend of tender chicken, rich creamy sauce, and fluffy dumplings, perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
– 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
– 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
– 1 cup milk
– 2 cups biscuit mix
– 2/3 cup milk (for dumplings)
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, frozen vegetables, and 1 cup of milk. Mix well and spread into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In another bowl, combine biscuit mix, 2/3 cup milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until just combined.
3. Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit mixture over the chicken mixture.
4. Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
5. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and cooked through.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For a richer flavor, you can add additional spices such as thyme or rosemary.
You can also use leftover turkey instead of chicken for a delicious variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: chicken, casserole, dumplings, winter, comfort food