Shortcut Chicken and Dumplings
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Shortcut Chicken and Dumplings is a classic southern meal with a twist! Discover the secret ingredient that makes it easier than ever to enjoy this hearty dish.
What are Chicken and Dumplings?
Growing up in the south, everyone ate chicken and dumplings. Everyone except me, that is. I was never fond of this classic dish until I grew older and realized it was time to give it another try.
Chicken and Dumplings are similar to a soup or stew, with chicken and savory dumplings cooked in a creamy broth. It's usually heavy on pepper and spices.
What's the Secret Ingredient?
My mother had a recipe she used often, but that's been lost forever. So, I decided to come up with something that resembled hers, but was easier and heartier than I remembered.
Enter Shortcut Chicken and Dumplings...a simpler version that uses only a few ingredients and comes together in a flash. They can actually be in your belly in only 30 minutes!
What's the secret ingredient? Refrigerated pie crust dough! It saves time on prep and you'll never miss making dumplings from scratch. They're as close to Momma's as I can get!
Ingredients
You probably already have everything on hand you need for this recipe, but if not, below are the easy ingredients.
- low sodium chicken broth (can substitute water)
- rotisserie chicken
- cream of chicken soup
- diced onion and celery
- seasoned pepper (or coarse), dried oregano, garlic powder
- refrigerated pie crust dough
- half and half
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Besides the fact that this dish comes together in a flash, Shortcut Chicken and Dumplings will surprise you. It's one of those meals that sticks to your ribs and keeps on sticking!
There's nothing quite like a big bowl of savory chicken and dumplings and a good book by the fire. It's pure southern comfort food! The dumplings in this dish are very close to old fashioned dumplings...without all of the hassle.
This version has more flavor than others I've tried, which comes from the onion and spices. Adding dried oregano is a tasty addition you'll also love. Trust me!
Instructions
Start by bringing chicken broth to a boil in a dutch oven. Remove from heat and add cream of chicken soup. Whisk until soup is creamy with no lumps. Add chicken, onion, celery, and spices.
Roll out refrigerated dough onto a floured surface and cut into 2 x ½ inch strips with a pizza cutter.
Bring mixture in dutch oven back to a boil. Drop pieces of dough into the boiling mixture one at a time. Stir after adding 5 strips. Repeat process until all dough has been added.
Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until dough is cooked.
Remove from heat and stir in half and half. Spoon into big bowls and enjoy!
Can I Use Refrigerated Biscuits?
Sure! The biscuits puff up and are a little fluffy for me, but if you prefer that texture, canned biscuits can easily be substituted. The pie dough resembles the consistency of the homemade dumplings my mother used to make, so I highly recommend using it if you want the old fashioned flavor.
Does Any Type of Chicken Work?
Feel free to bake, broil or boil chicken of any type. I prefer white meat, but if you like dark meat, that will work too. Rotisserie chicken is already cooked and tender, so I enjoy using it in most of my recipes. It saves time, and the flavor is hard to beat!
More Chicken Recipes
If you love this recipe, try my other chicken dishes that have made lots of bellies happy!
- Poppyseed Chicken Casserole
- Portobello Chicken Lasagna
- Lemon Chicken Spaghetti
- Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
- Chicken Pot Hand Pies
- Easy Chicken Taco Bake
Recipe Card
Shortcut Chicken and Dumplings
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 oz. low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 cans 10 ½ oz cream of chicken soup
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 celery stalk diced
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. seasoned pepper or coarse ground pepper
- 1 roll refrigerated pie crust dough
- ½ cup half and half
Instructions
- Bring chicken broth to a boil in a dutch oven.
- Turn off heat and add cream of chicken soup. Whisk until soup is creamy with no lumps.
- Add shredded chicken, diced onions, celery, seasoned pepper, garlic powder and dried oregano. Stir well and keep warm until dumplings are made.
- Roll out refrigerated dough onto a flour surface and cut into 2 x ½ inch strips with a pizza cutter.
- Bring mixture in dutch oven back to a boil. Drop pieces of dough into the boiling mixture one at a time, stirring after adding 5 strips.
- Repeat process until all dough has been added.
- Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until dough is cooked.
- Turn off heat and stir in half and half. Ladle into bowls and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
Keep In Touch
Sharing is Caring! Love my RECIPES? Please SHARE with friends!
Great recipe! Delicious and so easy to make. The rotisserie chicken was wonderfully moist. The pie crust worked well and had a good consistency. A few of them broke up in the stirring, but most stayed intact. Will definitely be making this again.
Awesome, Sandi! So glad you loved my version of chicken and dumplings! 🙂
I'm not a baker, but when I saw a frozen pie crust in the freezer that I needed to use up, I googled pie crust dumplings and this recipe popped up. I'm doing mine in the crock pot and will add the dumplings the last 30 minutes of cooking on low. Such a great idea and a time saver! Thank you for posting this easy and unique recipe for the world to enjoy.
Thank you! You might need a little more time for your dumplings to cook in the crockpot because every crockpot setting is different.
Very tasty … however I would not use pie crust. Does not cook up like the rolled out dumplings I typically do. Otherwise, I’m saving this recipe as it provides a an easy foundation for quick chicken and dumplings!!
Delicious! I made these on Christmas Eve for my parents. Dad is recovering from cancer surgery and finding foods that agree with him has been difficult. We all loved these and I've made a second batch for New Year's instead of the traditional collards and Hoppin John.
I also sweated the celery and onion in a little bit of butter before adding the broth, and used 2 pie crusts for more yummy dumplings. Thank you for the great recipe!
So happy to hear that your family loved these chicken and dumplings! I like adding more dumplings too! 🙂
Made this recipe a few weeks ago and my son and I both give it a 2 thumbs up!( and he is a picky eater) making it again tonight over mashed potatoes, thank you for the easy delicious recipe 😊
That's so AWESOME to hear...especially since your son is a picky eater! 🙂
Thank you! I needed a tasty, go to recipe with easy prep. I didn't have the energy, time to spare for making my homemade dumplings. This recipe answered and didn't disappoint. The key was definitely the cream of chicken soup to give that from scratch flare. I also added diced red pepper, diced carrots, roasted garlic cloves, turmeric, thyme, cracked pepper, summer savory, and fresh mint. No salt additional was added because the soup and broth were sufficient.
That's awesome, Lanae! So happy you tried the chicken and dumplings and loved them! 🙂
Brilliant idea! I can't wait to try this! I think it will taste like my mother's, as well. Can't wait to try this! I enjoy your website so much!
S. Hines
So glad you like this recipe, Susan! It's a keeper! And thank you for being one of my regular readers. It means so much to me! 🙂
Best EVER Chicken & Dumplings!! I added a stick of butter like a previous comment suggested and a teaspoon of black pepper. I have never before made Chicken & Dumplings, best and easiest recipe.
Thank you so much, Tracee! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a nice comment. So glad you liked them! They are easy for sure! 🙂
After asking Mark what he would like for dinner (he usually says he doesn’t care) he asked to have your chicken and dumplings! His only request was to have even more dumplings. 😃
Oh, that makes me so happy! Yay for Chicken and Dumplings the easy way! 🙂
Mark continues to ask for this! It makes him happy! ❤️ Easy and yummy!
That's awesome Bobbi! Thank you so much for sharing. You made my day! 🙂
I consider myself the master of chicken and dumplings. I always make my own dumplings because I like them flat. I used the refrigerated pie crust today along with adding the cream of chicken soup. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!!! The dumplings were so tender and the soup made it so creamy. My friend Ramona always told me to add a stick of butter which makes the broth so tasty. I also added some Montreal Seasoning since it has many of the seasoning Debi recommends. These chicken and dumplings were the best yet! Thanks for the suggestions Diva Debi!
Wow, Connie! I'm so glad you tried these dumplings and loved them. I hope they made your preparation time a whole lot easier. 🙂 And, I love the Diva Debi name! haha
Yum! Just finished a bowlful of chicken & dumplings-this is a delicious recipe. And what a gift that it’s so easy & quick to fix. Definitely worth five stars!
Thank you so much, Janice! I love easy recipes, don't you? 🙂
This is basically how I've always made my chicken and dumplings, except for a couple tweaks. I sweat the onion and celery til tender in the pot with a couple tablespoons of real butter instead of adding in raw, and also use cream of chicken with herbs condensed soup, just one can, I use the water (broth) from lightly poaching my chicken instead of store bought broth, and don't use those spices since they're in the canned soup. I only season thoroughly with salt and pepper. I also have 3 big male eaters in my home so I make a rather large pot full and use 2 Pillsbury pie crusts. My mom used to make her own and I can remember talking the leftover edge pieces, sprinkling with cinnamon and sugar, and baking for a pre dinner treat!
Hi Holly! Thanks so much for your tips and ideas. I will definitely try 2 pie crusts the next time I make Chicken and Dumplings. I made some this weekend and used only one can of chicken soup because that's all I had. It's a very forgiving recipe! 🙂
Just finished a bowl of the chicken and dumplings. I kept thinking too that this would be wonderful over a biscuit! Really like that the dumplings weren't so thick and doughy. This recipe is simple and delicious! Thanks Debi!
Thanks so much Melanie! Those would be good over a Cat Head biscuit! 🙂