Save A comforting, hearty casserole combining tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings baked in a creamy, savory sauce.
I first made this casserole on a chilly evening and it instantly became a family favorite. The layers of creamy sauce and biscuits feel nostalgic and welcoming.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken: 2 cups, shredded or diced
- Carrots: 1 cup, diced
- Celery: 1 cup, diced
- Frozen peas: 1 cup
- Onion: 1 small, diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup
- All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup (for chicken mixture) + 1 cup (for dumplings)
- Chicken broth: 2 cups
- Whole milk: 1 cup (chicken mixture) + 1/2 cup (dumplings)
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (chicken mixture) + 1/2 teaspoon (dumplings)
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
- Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
- Unsalted butter (dumplings): 2 tablespoons, melted
- Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook vegetables:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic and saute until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Make roux:
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir for 1 minute.
- Add liquids:
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Combine mixture:
- Add cooked chicken, peas, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir to combine.
- Transfer to dish:
- Transfer chicken mixture to a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- Mix dumplings:
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt for dumplings. Stir in melted butter and milk until just combined. Fold in parsley if using.
- Add dumplings:
- Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough evenly over chicken mixture.
- Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until dumplings are golden and cooked through.
- Rest:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Save When my kids come home after soccer on weeknights, this casserole brings everyone together at the table. There's never much left for leftovers!
Required Tools
Large skillet, mixing bowls, whisk, 9x13-inch casserole dish, measuring cups and spoons, oven
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), milk, dairy. Double-check any store-bought broth
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 420 calories. Total Fat: 17 g. Carbohydrates: 38 g. Protein: 29 g
Save This casserole is a wonderful dish for gatherings and freezes well for later. Try it with a light salad or steamed veggies to round out your meal.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of chicken works best for this dish?
Cooked shredded or diced chicken enhances the texture and flavor, with rotisserie chicken offering a convenient shortcut.
- → Can I substitute the vegetables in the mixture?
Yes, carrots, celery, peas, and onions provide balance, but feel free to swap or add herbs like rosemary or sage to suit your taste.
- → How do I achieve fluffy dumplings on top?
Mixing flour, baking powder, salt, melted butter, and milk gently ensures light, tender dumplings when baked over the chicken base.
- → Is it possible to prepare this dish ahead of time?
Separate the chicken mixture and dumpling dough; assemble and bake just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
- → What sides complement this hearty casserole?
A light green salad or steamed green beans balance the richness, adding freshness to the meal.