Introduction

This easy chicken and dumplings recipe uses frozen dumplings to save time while still delivering comforting, hearty flavors. It’s a simple one-pot meal perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you want a cozy classic dish without the fuss.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Frozen Dumplings Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

6 cups chicken broth
2 ribs celery, broken in half
1/2 onion (as a chunk, not sliced or chopped)
12 oz frozen dumplings (such as Reames brand)
2 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken
Optional: 1-2 cups water (or additional broth), as needed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Combine chicken broth, celery, and onion in a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Remove celery and onion and discard.
Step 3: With the liquid still simmering, add frozen dumplings to the pot. Stir gently, then increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil again.
Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer partially covered for about 20 minutes. Stir the dumplings often to prevent them from sticking.
Step 5: If too much liquid evaporates and the dumplings are prone to sticking, add 1/2 cup of water or more broth as needed to thin the liquid. You can add up to 1 to 2 cups if necessary.
Step 6: Once the dumplings are tender, add the cooked chicken to the pot and stir. Let simmer for about 5 minutes to heat through.
Step 7: To thicken the liquid to a gravy-like consistency, whisk together cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Add this slurry to the simmering broth. Stir and cook for a few more minutes until thickened.
Step 8: Add salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat and serve.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley during simmering and remove before adding dumplings.
You can substitute leftover rotisserie chicken to make this recipe quicker.
Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels.
If you prefer a thinner soup, skip the cornstarch step or reduce the amount.
Vegetables like carrots or peas can be added for extra nutrition and color.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Avoid freezing as dumplings may change texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade dumplings instead of frozen?

Yes, homemade dumplings can be used. Add them according to the recipe or package instructions and adjust cooking time as needed since fresh dumplings usually cook faster.

What can I do if the dumplings stick to the pot?

Stir the dumplings frequently to prevent sticking. If the liquid reduces too much, add a bit of water or broth to keep the dumplings moist and moving freely.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Frozen Dumplings Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 516 reviews

A comforting and easy one-pot meal featuring tender shredded chicken and frozen dumplings simmered in a flavorful chicken broth, thickened to a rich gravy-like consistency. Perfect for a quick and hearty dinner.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Broth and Vegetables

6 cups chicken broth
2 ribs celery, broken in half
1/2 onion (as a chunk, not sliced or chopped)

Dumplings and Chicken

12-oz frozen dumplings (such as Reames brand)
2 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken

Thickening and Seasoning

2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional

1–2 cups water or additional broth, as needed

Instructions

Prepare the broth: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine 6 cups of chicken broth, 2 ribs of celery broken in half, and a 1/2 chunk of onion. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes to infuse the broth with the vegetable flavors.
Remove vegetables: After simmering, remove and discard the celery and onion pieces from the pot to leave a clear broth base for the dumplings.
Add frozen dumplings: With the liquid still simmering, gently add the 12 oz of frozen dumplings to the pot. Stir carefully to distribute them evenly, then increase the heat to bring the mixture back to a full boil.
Simmer the dumplings: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot partially, and let the dumplings simmer gently for about 20 minutes. Stir the dumplings frequently to prevent sticking at the bottom.
Adjust liquid if needed: If too much liquid evaporates and the dumplings start sticking, slowly add 1/2 cup water or broth at a time, up to 1 to 2 cups total, to keep a nice, loose consistency.
Add chicken: Once the dumplings are tender, stir in 2 cups of shredded or chopped cooked chicken. Continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to heat the chicken through.
Thicken the broth: To achieve a gravy-like consistency, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the simmering broth and cook for a few more minutes until thickened.
Season and serve: Add salt and pepper to taste, remove the pot from heat, and serve the warm chicken and dumplings immediately.

Notes

Using pre-cooked chicken speeds up preparation and enhances flavor.
Frozen dumplings do not require thawing before adding to the pot.
Stir dumplings often to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Adjust thickness by adding more or less cornstarch slurry depending on desired gravy consistency.
Optional: add fresh herbs like parsley for garnish and extra flavor.

Keywords: chicken and dumplings, frozen dumplings, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, stovetop soup