Learning how to make the best recipes for chicken and dumplings means you can easily enjoy endless varieties of the soul-warming meal.
Chances are, a steaming bowl of chicken and dumplings takes you back to another place and time in your mind, conjuring up memories that warm your heart.
Here at Margin Making Mom, we love sharing recipes that satisfy you and your family, without taking all day to make!
The best chicken and dumplings recipes are those that are easy to make (because, come on, we know you don’t have all day to spend in the kitchen!), evoke a sense of calm coziness, and fill you with warm memories.
That’s why I’m setting out to help you learn everything you need to know to make the perfect chicken and dumplings for your family.
So I’m sharing my favorite tips, tricks, and recipes!
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The Best Recipes for Chicken and Dumplings
Most people assume that homemade chicken and dumplings are time-consuming and difficult to make.
But there are plenty of different methods of preparation, simple shortcuts, and easy ingredient swaps that can help you get this comfort food on the table more quickly than you think.
We’re breaking them down by type and method of preparing, so you can choose the recipes that work best for your family!
Chicken and Flat Dumplings
Many people love classic flat dumplings, which are made from pieces of rolled-out dough.
Sometimes called “chicken and slicks” or “rolled dumplings,” these dumplings are noodle-like in consistency.
For instance, copycat Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings are the perfect homemade example of this simple meal.
Or maybe you love old-fashioned southern chicken and dumplings, complete with veggies and a savory, creamy broth.
For those days when you don’t have time to roll out dough, you can make these chicken and dumplings with tortillas for an easy shortcut.
To easily make flat dumplings, you’ll want to have a rolling pin and pizza cutter on hand to keep things simple.
Chicken and Fluffy Dumplings
Maybe you grew up enjoying fluffy, biscuit-like dumplings, cooked to perfection in a steaming Dutch oven.
One of our favorite shortcuts for fluffy dumplings is to make chicken and Bisquick dumplings. Using the original Bisquick dumplings recipe is an easy way to create perfectly tender dumplings fast.
And because everyone deserves to enjoy this classic comfort food, you can use the gluten-free variety of Bisquick to make gluten-free chicken and dumplings!
If Bisquick isn’t your thing, try making chicken and Jiffy mix dumplings instead for another time-saving trick.
This easy chicken and dumplings soup uses smaller, bite-size homemade fluffy dumplings as a delicious way to warm up on a cold day.
You can also put canned biscuits to work! Our recipe for chicken and dumplings with biscuits creates fluffy dumplings with minimal effort.
In addition to stocking up on your favorite baking mix, it’s a good idea to have a tablespoon scoop and a trusty Dutch oven or stockpot on hand for these easy recipes..
Chicken and Dumplings Recipes with Frozen Dumplings or Noodles
We get it–sometimes you just don’t have time for rolling or scooping out dumpling dough!
There’s no shame in using pre-made ingredients as a shortcut on those busy days.
If you love flat dumplings, try our chicken and dumplings with frozen dumplings for a hearty yet easy meal.
If it’s hard to find frozen dumplings in your local grocery store, try our chicken and dumplings made with frozen noodles instead.
Our favorite brand of frozen dumplings and noodles is Reames–they’re generally pretty easy to find and work amazingly well in these recipes.
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipes
When you don’t have time to babysit a pot on the stove, putting your pressure cooker to work can be a great idea.
These Instant Pot chicken and dumplings are a faster way to make Cracker Barrel style dumplings in your pressure cooker.
For a double-whammy shortcut, use your pressure cooker AND pre-packaged dumplings with this Instant Pot chicken and frozen dumplings recipe.
Or make a batch of Instant Pot chicken and dumplings with noodles for another easy quick win–nobody will know the difference!
You can also use the baking mix shortcut with this recipe for Instant Pot chicken and dumplings with Bisquick
Not only that, but you can grab a can of Pillsbury Grands and make Instant Pot chicken and dumplings with canned biscuits!.
You’ll need an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker to take advantage of these quick and easy recipes.
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, don’t worry–you can make delicious chicken and dumplings in your slow cooker.
For making homemade dumplings, try this Crock Pot chicken and dumplings recipe using rolled dumplings. It’s easier than you think!
When you’re short on time, try these Crock Pot chicken and dumplings with Grands biscuits for a simple but delicious meal.
Slow-simmering chicken is largely hands-off and creates a flavorful base for your dumplings to cook in. So grab your slow cooker and put it to good use!
Chicken and Dumplings in the Oven
It’s possible that you’ve never even thought of making chicken and dumplings in the oven, but it’s a great way to get a delicious comfort food on the table without a lot of effort.
This oven baked chicken and dumplings casserole combines tender chicken with veggies and a savory sauce, with homemade dumplings baked right in.
If you love Red Lobster, you can make baked chicken and dumplings with Cheddar Bay biscuit mix, changing up the flavor of the dumplings.
All you need is a mixing bowl and a casserole dish and you’re set!
Which Chicken is Best for Chicken and Dumplings?
Deciding which chicken to use in chicken and dumplings boils down to your personal preference, how much time you have, and what you have on hand.
Depending on your preference for light or dark meat, you can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
If you have a little bit of time, let the raw chicken cook in the broth for added flavor. If you’re in a rush, using pulled rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut.
If you forget to thaw your chicken, don’t worry! You can always cook frozen chicken in your Instant Pot if you have one.
Then proceed with a pressure cooker chicken and dumplings recipe or simply use the chicken in a stove-top or oven based recipe.
In a pinch, you can also make chicken and dumplings with canned chicken.
How Do You Know When Dumplings are Done?
Knowing when dumplings are done depends on the type of dumpling.
Flat dumplings will be a little dense and noodle-like when done.
Biscuit-like dumplings should be light and fluffy inside, just like the interior of a biscuit.
Simply cut a dumpling in the middle to make sure it’s cooked through and not still doughy.
Can You Freeze Chicken and Dumplings?
In general, yes, you can freeze chicken and dumplings.
It’s important to note that the texture will likely change after thawing and reheating, but it will still be delicious.
The broth will typically be a bit thicker after freezing, as the starches absorb more liquid over time.
You may need to add a little broth or water to thin it a bit when reheating.
How to Reheat Leftover Dumplings
There are a few ways to reheat dumplings. You can use the microwave, which can be useful for smaller portions.
Another option for warming smaller portions is to reheat leftovers in the Instant Pot!
If you have a larger portion, you can reheat them on the stove in a pan over medium heat until warmed through.
Keep in mind that you may need to add some liquid (such as water or broth) when reheating, as most dumplings will absorb liquid during refrigeration.
What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings
Quite often, chicken and dumplings can serve as a meal on its own, especially when you’re adding veggies to the dish.
However, if you want to add some side dishes, it’s best to choose options that aren’t too heavy. Fruit, vegetables, salads, and breads can be comforting additions.
We have a whole list of the best side dishes for chicken and dumplings to get the wheels turning!
More Easy Comfort Food Recipes
If you love deliciously satisfying recipes that don’t take all day to make, check out some more of our favorite comfort foods.
Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Easy Chicken Hash Brown Casserole
Be sure to save this list to your dinner ideas board on Pinterest!
There is no way, at least for me, that the recipes can be saved or even viewed.
It’s a forever loop, to sign up for the grow account.
Grow email goes back to the page that says sign up for grow account.
Please get it fixed otherwise no one will visit your site as its just a waste to be teased.
I’m so sorry Grow is causing problems! Once you’ve signed up for Grow, you should be able to view/save/print the recipes. Maybe refreshing the browser would help?