A tasty chicken and dumpling casserole is a warm, simple meal that everyone likes. It’s a great dish for quick weeknight meals or easy weekend dinners. This recipe mixes soft chicken, good-tasting broth, and light dumplings, baked together to make a warm, nice dish. This article will show you how to make the best chicken and dumpling casserole, making sure it’s easy to cook at home.
The Fun of Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Chicken and dumpling casserole is a classic for a good reason. This dish has a nice mix of feels and flavors. The smooth, rich broth has soft chicken and fluffy dumplings, all cooked to a golden color. This casserole turns a regular stovetop recipe into an easy, oven-baked version. Therefore, it’s a great meal for family get-togethers or when you want something warm and good. This dish is not just about being simple; it’s also about making a meal that brings people together.
Why Pick Chicken and Dumpling Casserole?
Many pick chicken and dumpling casserole because it’s very easy to make. Firstly, the dish uses simple things you might already have. Secondly, it does not take much work to put together. Therefore, it’s a perfect answer for busy nights when you need a fast, tasty meal. Additionally, this casserole is a dish that can change easily. You can add more veggies or different tastes to fit what you like. It is truly a dish that can fit many tastes.
Getting Your Food Ready
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the food you need. This will make cooking easier. The food is simple and easy to find. Here’s what you will need:
- 2 spoons of butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, cut up
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut up
- 2 celery sticks, cut up
- 1 spoon dried thyme
- 1/2 spoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 spoon salt
- 1/4 spoon black pepper
- 3 cups of chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, pulled apart
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10 ounce) can biscuit dough
Making Your Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
With all your food ready, you can start making your chicken and dumpling casserole. Follow these steps to make sure your casserole is cooked right. This part will show you all the steps from start to end.
Step-by-Step Cooking
- Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Firstly, melt the butter in a big oven-safe pan or casserole dish over medium heat.
- Add the cut onion, carrots, and celery to the pan. Cook until the veggies start to get soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Therefore, this step adds flavor to the base of the dish.
- Pour the chicken broth into the pan. Let it get hot. Then, add the shredded cooked chicken and the cream of chicken soup. Mix well to put all the food together.
- Cut each biscuit into four parts. Drop the pieces of biscuit dough on top of the chicken mix in the pan. Put them evenly over the top of the dish.
- Cook in the heated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden and cooked inside. The mix should be bubbly. Finally, let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving.
Key Steps for Good Dumplings
The dumplings are a main part of the dish. However, making them right is easy if you follow a few tips. Firstly, make sure you use biscuit dough from the fridge. Additionally, do not mix the dough too much after cutting it into pieces. Furthermore, drop the pieces evenly over the chicken mix. Subsequently, this will make sure they cook right and rise well. Do not push them into the mix. This keeps the dumplings light and not wet.
Ways to Change and Serve Your Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
While the main recipe is great, you can easily change it to fit what you like. There are many ways to make this chicken and dumpling casserole your own. You can add extra veggies or use different tastes. Also, there are many ways to serve this nice dish. Therefore, you will find ways to make this recipe better.
Making Changes to Your Casserole
There are many ways to change your casserole. For example, you could add peas or corn for extra veggies. Or, use a different cream soup, like cream of mushroom, for a different taste. Also, try adding some garlic or onion powder to the mix for more taste. Feel free to try different herbs and tastes. This will make the dish yours. Indeed, there are many things you can do with this simple recipe.
Serving Your Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Chicken and dumpling casserole is a full meal by itself. However, it can be served with a fresh salad to have a balance of flavors and feels. Additionally, try serving it with warm, crusty bread. This will be good for soaking up the tasty sauce. This casserole is best enjoyed warm, right from the oven, when the dumplings are soft and the chicken is very tender.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Here are more tips to help you make the best chicken and dumpling casserole. This will help you make sure that every time you make this recipe it’s great.
Making Sure It Tastes Good
To make sure it tastes great, do not cook the casserole too long. Overcooking can dry out the chicken and make the dumplings hard. Furthermore, use good chicken broth, as it is the main part of the flavor. Specifically, use broth with less salt to control how much salt is in your casserole. Make sure you pull the chicken apart well, so it mixes nicely into the dish. This makes the taste better in the casserole.
Keeping Leftovers
If you have food left, keep it in a closed box in the fridge. Generally, the chicken and dumpling casserole can stay good for up to 3 days in the fridge. Additionally, you can also heat it again in the oven or microwave until hot. Therefore, it’s a meal you can eat more than once. The dumplings might not be as soft, however, the dish will still taste good.
Problems and How to Fix Them
One problem some have is wet dumplings. To fix this, make sure your biscuit pieces are not all the way in the liquid. Conversely, they should mostly sit on top. Also, do not add too much liquid. Too wet chicken mix will make the dumplings wet. Always measure your food to make sure it’s right. Finally, use the right heat for cooking to make sure everything cooks evenly.
The Good Things About a Homemade Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Making chicken and dumpling casserole at home has many good things. Firstly, it lets you check the food you use. You can pick fresh, good food. Secondly, homemade dishes often taste better than store-bought ones, because they are made with care. Furthermore, cooking at home can be easy and fun. It is a good way to relax while making a tasty meal.
Cheap Meal
This casserole is a very cheap meal. Because the main food is simple and easy to find. Indeed, using cooked chicken or food left from another meal makes this dish even cheaper. Additionally, this recipe is perfect for feeding a big group or family. This is very helpful for big get-togethers. Therefore, it is both cheap and good.
Making It a Family Thing
Making chicken and dumpling casserole can also be a good family thing. Kids can help with things like cutting veggies, measuring food, or putting the casserole together. This lets everyone help make a tasty family meal. Unquestionably, it’s a way to make good memories. Also, it teaches kids about cooking and food.
A Nice Meal for Any Time
To finish, chicken and dumpling casserole is more than just a meal. It is a nice, easy-to-make, and flexible dish. Likewise, it is great for any time. It is perfect for family dinners or easy weekends. It’s a recipe that brings warmth and happiness to the table. This recipe will help you make a good and tasty dish. The result is sure to be a family favorite for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are my chicken and dumplings hard?
Hard dumplings usually come from mixing the dough too much or cooking the casserole too long. Make sure to handle the biscuit dough with care and cook only until they are golden brown.
What kind of food is chicken and dumplings?
Chicken and dumplings is a warm American dish. Basically, it has soft chicken and light dumplings cooked in a tasty broth. It is often seen as comfort food.
Where did chicken and dumplings start?
Chicken and dumplings is thought to have started in the Southern United States. It has become a main dish all over the U.S. and other places.
Should I cover my chicken and dumplings?
Usually, you do not need to cover chicken and dumpling casserole while it cooks. However, if the dumplings start to get brown too fast, you can lightly cover the dish with foil. Therefore, this will stop them from burning while the inside cooks.
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