Introduction
My grandmother used to make chicken and dumplings that simmered all day. It was my favorite meal. While I love that memory, I just don’t have that kind of time! This is my 30-minute shortcut version. It has all the same creamy, savory, “comfort-in-a-bowl” flavor, but uses a few smart shortcuts for a perfect weeknight meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pure Comfort Food: Like a warm, savory hug in a bowl.
- Fluffy, Tender Dumplings: Uses a brilliant shortcut for perfect dumplings every time.
- Ready in 30 Minutes: A classic comfort food, made fast.
- Uses Leftover Chicken: The perfect way to use up a rotisserie chicken.
- One-Pot Meal: Easy to make and even easier to clean up.
Ingredients
To create this delightful dish, you will need:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken is perfect)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 (16 oz) can refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands!)
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to prepare your meal:
- Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, followed by the heavy cream.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring, until it begins to thicken.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, frozen peas, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- While the soup simmers, open the can of biscuits and cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces.
- Drop the biscuit pieces one by one into the simmering soup.
- Once all the biscuit pieces are in, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let it cook for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid!
- After 15 minutes, the dumplings will be fluffy and cooked through. Serve immediately.
Tips
The most important rule: Do NOT peek while the dumplings are cooking! Lifting the lid releases the steam, which is what makes them light and fluffy. Peeking will make them dense and doughy.