Easy No-Stir Chicken and Dumpling Casserole: Your Ultimate Weeknight Comfort Food
Discover the magic of this incredibly delicious and unbelievably simple chicken and dumpling casserole! The secret to its perfectly fluffy dumplings and creamy base lies in one crucial step: **do not stir it!** Simply layer the ingredients as directed, slide it into the oven, and bake it to golden perfection. This beloved family recipe promises a comforting, hearty meal with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. Get ready to add a new favorite to your culinary repertoire!
Why This Easy Chicken and Dumpling Casserole Will Become Your Go-To
We all cherish those weeknight dinner casseroles that deliver maximum flavor with minimum fuss. This particular chicken and dumpling casserole stands out as a true champion in the easy dinner category. It leverages convenience ingredients like frozen vegetables, pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, and condensed cream of chicken soup to create a wholesome, satisfying meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare. The beauty of this recipe lies in its ingenious layering technique, which allows the “dumplings” to form a delightful, golden-brown crust on top, absorbing the rich flavors below without needing any complex kneading or shaping. It’s a foolproof method that guarantees a hearty, comforting experience every time, perfect for families seeking a simple yet deeply satisfying meal solution.
Essential Ingredients for Your Comforting Casserole
Creating this delicious chicken and dumpling casserole requires a handful of readily available ingredients, making your grocery shopping a breeze. The success of this recipe hinges on the quality of these components and the clever way they’re combined. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each element is crucial:
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: A true time-saver! We recommend a mix of peas, carrots, and corn for a classic flavor profile and vibrant color. Using frozen ensures consistent quality and skips the chopping.
- Unsalted Butter: This forms the foundational layer, contributing richness and ensuring the chicken doesn’t stick while adding incredible flavor to the entire dish.
- Rotisserie Chicken: The ultimate shortcut! Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, either cubed or shredded, means you bypass the cooking process entirely. It adds tender, flavorful chicken without any extra effort. If you prefer, you can cook and shred your own chicken breasts or thighs.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is key for the “dumpling” topping, providing structure and helping to create that irresistible golden crust.
- Baking Powder: A leavening agent that makes the “dumplings” light and airy, giving them a delightful texture.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the dumpling layer and enhancing the overall flavors of the casserole.
- Milk: Combines with the flour mixture to form a pourable batter that becomes our dumpling topping. Whole milk is recommended for richness, but 2% will also work.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the flavorful liquid base of the casserole, creating a savory sauce that infuses every bite. Low-sodium broth is a good choice to control the saltiness.
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: The secret weapon for ultimate creaminess and that distinct, comforting casserole flavor. It thickens the sauce and binds all the elements together beautifully.
These simple ingredients, when combined with our unique no-stir method, transform into a truly memorable dish.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to guide you visually through the process of making this incredibly simple recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions at the bottom of this page.
- **Prepare the Vegetables:** Begin by filling a medium bowl with very hot tap water. Add your frozen mixed vegetables to the hot water and set them aside. This step helps to slightly thaw the vegetables, ensuring they cook evenly in the casserole and retain their tender texture. It also helps to prevent the casserole from becoming watery.
- **Preheat Your Oven:** Set your oven to preheat to 400°F (200°C). A properly preheated oven is crucial for achieving the perfect golden-brown dumplings and ensuring the casserole bakes through consistently.
- **Melt the Butter:** Cut the unsalted butter into four even pieces and place them directly into a 13×9 inch casserole dish or baking pan. Once your oven is preheated, place the pan with the butter into the oven for a few minutes until the butter is completely melted. This creates a rich, flavorful base for our casserole and helps prevent sticking.
- **Layer the Chicken:** Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Evenly layer your cubed or shredded cooked rotisserie chicken over the melted butter in the pan. Distribute it gently to cover the bottom as much as possible without disturbing the butter layer.
- **Add the Vegetables:** Drain the hot water from the frozen vegetables and gently layer them over the top of the chicken. Try to spread them out evenly for a balanced bite in every spoonful. Remember, the key to this casserole is layering, not stirring, so be gentle!
- **Prepare the Flour Mixture (Dumpling Base):** In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Gradually and slowly whisk in the milk until you have a smooth, lump-free batter. This creates the foundational layer for your dumplings. Now, here’s the critical step: **Gently pour this flour mixture over the chicken and vegetable layer.** Be extremely careful not to stir or disturb the layers beneath. This separation is what allows the dumpling crust to form beautifully on top during baking.
- **Prepare the Soup Mixture:** In another medium bowl, whisk the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup together until they are thoroughly combined and smooth. Just like the previous step, slowly and carefully pour this soup mixture over the flour mixture. Again, the golden rule applies: **Do not stir!** Simply layer this final liquid over the previous one. This layering is essential for the casserole’s unique texture and the distinct dumpling topping.
- **Bake to Perfection:** Place the uncovered casserole dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the dumpling topping is beautifully golden brown and the casserole is bubbly and heated through. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it towards the end. A skewer inserted into the dumpling topping should come out clean.
Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to portion and enjoy. Each serving will reveal tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, a creamy sauce, and that wonderful golden dumpling topping.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Leftover chicken and dumpling casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or warm the entire casserole in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until heated through. If you wish to keep it longer, you can freeze the casserole tightly wrapped in aluminum foil and then placed in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
For this particular casserole, we strongly advise against making it ahead and assembling it before baking. The unique layering technique is crucial for creating the distinct crust on top, which is essentially our “dumpling topping.” If you assemble it too far in advance, the ingredients can settle and intermix, preventing the dumpling layer from properly forming on the surface. This would result in a less desirable texture and appearance. As emphasized throughout the recipe, the key is to avoid stirring! Prepare and bake it fresh for the best results and that perfect golden-brown topping.
No problem! You can easily prepare your own cooked chicken. Simply boil, bake, or pan-fry about 1 to 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs until fully cooked. Once cooled, shred or cube the chicken to the desired size (aim for 3-4 cups) and proceed with the recipe as instructed. This casserole is very forgiving and tastes excellent with any pre-cooked chicken.
Absolutely! While frozen mixed vegetables offer convenience, fresh vegetables can certainly be used. For best results, we recommend a quick blanch or sauté of tougher vegetables like carrots before adding them to the casserole to ensure they cook through evenly. Softer vegetables like peas or corn can be added directly. Just ensure they are cut into bite-sized pieces. Remember to adjust quantities if needed; typically, 2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables translate to about 2.5-3 cups of fresh, chopped vegetables.
Perfect Pairings for Your Casserole
This hearty chicken and dumpling casserole is a complete meal in itself, but pairing it with a simple side can elevate your dining experience. Consider serving it alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to add a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the casserole. A side of warm, crusty bread or garlic knots is also a fantastic addition, perfect for soaking up any extra creamy sauce. For an extra touch of comfort, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives on top just before serving can add a pop of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.
Expert Tips for a Foolproof Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
- **The “No-Stir” Rule is Golden:** This cannot be stressed enough. The magic of this casserole is in its layers. Resist the urge to stir the flour mixture and the soup mixture once they are poured over the chicken and vegetables. This ensures the dumpling topping forms correctly and remains distinct from the creamy base.
- **Oven Temperature Matters:** Ensure your oven is fully preheated to 400°F (200°C) before placing the casserole inside. An accurate oven temperature is vital for the dumplings to rise and brown properly. Consider using an oven thermometer to verify your oven’s accuracy.
- **Gentle Pouring:** When adding the liquid layers, pour them slowly and carefully, starting from one end of the dish and gradually moving across. This minimizes disruption to the layers below.
- **Don’t Overbake:** Keep an eye on the casserole towards the end of the baking time. Once the dumplings are golden brown and puffy, and the sauce is bubbling, it’s done. Overbaking can dry out the chicken and make the dumplings tough.
- **Resting Time:** Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the casserole to set, making it easier to serve and preventing it from falling apart.
Creative Variations to Customize Your Casserole
While the classic version is undeniably delicious, this chicken and dumpling casserole recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand:
- **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of poultry seasoning to the flour mixture for an extra layer of flavor. A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper can also add a subtle warmth.
- **Cheesy Goodness:** For a richer, cheesier casserole, sprinkle about 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar or Colby jack cheese over the chicken layer before adding the vegetables.
- **Alternative Soups:** While cream of chicken soup is traditional, you can try condensed cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup for a different flavor profile.
- **Herbaceous Notes:** Mix in some fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage into the chicken layer or the soup mixture for an aromatic boost.
- **Vegetable Swap:** Customize your veggie mix! Add chopped bell peppers, spinach (wilted and squeezed dry), or green beans instead of or in addition to the classic blend.
Chicken and dumpling casserole is truly a comforting recipe you’ll want to keep in your rotation. It’s fantastic for busy weekdays when you’re seeking an easy, hearty meal that feeds the whole family and leaves everyone feeling satisfied. Its straightforward preparation and rich, savory flavors make it an instant hit!
Explore More Delicious Casserole Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and comfort of this chicken and dumpling casserole, you’re in for a treat! Casseroles are the ultimate one-dish wonders, perfect for feeding a crowd or providing delicious leftovers. We have a wide array of other incredible casserole recipes that promise similar simplicity and heartwarming flavors. From hearty beef to cheesy pasta bakes, there’s a casserole for every craving and occasion. Dive into these family-favorite recipes and discover your next go-to meal:
- John Wayne Casserole
- Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
- Mexican Chicken Casserole
- Macaroni and Cheese Casserole with Ham and Peas
- Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- 7 Layer Casserole
- Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Chicken Chow Mein Casserole
- Tuna Casserole
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
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Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables we like peas, carrots, and corn
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3-4 cups rotisserie chicken cubed or shredded
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
- 10.75 ounce condensed cream of chicken soup 1 can
Things You’ll Need
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Mixing bowls
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13×9 baking dish
Before You Begin
- This chicken and dumpling casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. To keep it longer, you can freeze it tightly wrapped for 2 months.
- For this particular casserole, we don’t recommend making it ahead. The layering that you do will create the crust on top. If you make it ahead, the ingredients run the risk of settling and your “dumpling topping” will not be on top! As stated it the recipe, make sure not to stir!
Instructions
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Fill a medium bowl with very hot tap water. Add frozen vegetables to the water and set aside.
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Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
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Cut butter into 4 pieces and place into a 13×9 casserole dish or baking pan. Place pan in the oven until the butter is melted.
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Layer the cubed, cooked chicken over the melted butter in the pan.
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Drain the frozen vegetables and layer over the top of the chicken.
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In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly whisk in the milk until completely combined. Gently pour the flour mixture over the chicken and vegetable layer. Do not stir, and be careful not to disturb the chicken and vegetables layer.
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In a medium bowl, whisk the broth and cream of chicken soup together until well combined. Slowly and carefully, pour the soup mixture over the flour mixture. Again, do not stir, simply layer.
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Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, or until dumplings are golden brown. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.