Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Frozen Dumplings Recipe
This Easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe uses frozen dumplings for a quick and comforting meal. Simmered in flavorful chicken broth with celery and onion, then combined with shredded cooked chicken, this dish is simple to prepare yet deeply satisfying. The option to thicken the broth with cornstarch creates a rich, gravy-like consistency perfect for a cozy dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
Thickening and Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the broth: Combine chicken broth, celery ribs, and the onion chunk in a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Remove aromatics: Discard the celery and onion pieces from the broth.
- Add frozen dumplings: With the broth still simmering, carefully add frozen dumplings to the pot. Stir gently to prevent sticking, then increase the heat to bring the mixture back to a boil.
- Simmer dumplings: Reduce heat to medium-low and cover partially. Let the dumplings simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring often to prevent them from sticking together or to the bottom of the pot.
- Adjust liquid if needed: If the broth reduces too much or dumplings start sticking, add 1/2 cup increments of water or additional broth as needed, up to 1-2 cups total, to maintain a good consistency.
- Add chicken: Once the dumplings are tender, stir in the shredded or chopped cooked chicken. Let the mixture simmer for another 5 minutes to heat the chicken through.
- Thicken the broth (optional): To create a gravy-like consistency, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to form a slurry. Add this mixture to the simmering pot and stir constantly for a few minutes until the broth thickens.
- Season and serve: Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste, remove from heat, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Using frozen dumplings saves time compared to making them from scratch while still delivering delicious texture.
- Adjust the amount of water or broth added depending on your preferred thickness and to prevent sticking.
- You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- The broth can be thickened or left as a lighter soup according to your preference.
- Stir often during simmering to keep dumplings from clumping or adhering to the pot.
Keywords: chicken and dumplings, easy chicken and dumplings, frozen dumplings recipe, comfort food soup, quick chicken soup
