Here’s a cozy, comforting recipe for Chicken Casserole with Dumplings — tender chicken and veggies in a creamy sauce topped with fluffy dumplings baked to golden perfection. Perfect for chilly days or anytime you want some hearty home-cooked goodness!
🍗 Chicken Casserole with Dumplings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 6
📝 Ingredients:
For the Chicken Casserole:
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans, etc.)
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk (or cream for richer sauce)
- 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Dumplings:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- Optional: 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives)
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken Casserole:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish, heat butter/oil over medium heat.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until browned but not fully cooked through (~5 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until translucent (~3 minutes).
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to make a roux.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring until smooth and thickened.
- Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Return chicken and veggies to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Make the Dumplings:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in milk and melted butter until just combined (don’t overmix). Fold in herbs if using.
3. Assemble and Bake:
- Spoon dumpling batter evenly over the chicken casserole mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until dumplings are golden and cooked through (a toothpick inserted should come out clean).
- Optional: In the last 5 minutes, switch oven to broil to brown dumplings more, watching carefully.
🍴 Serve:
- Ladle warm casserole onto plates, scoop fluffy dumplings on top.
- Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed greens.