Save Pin A comforting, hearty casserole combining tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings baked in a creamy, savory sauce.
This dish reminds me of cozy winter evenings after school, when the smell of bubbling chicken casserole filled the house and everyone rushed to the table. Preparing it for my own family brings back those warm memories with every bite.
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 sauce) & 1 cup (for dumplings)
- Chicken broth: 2 cups
- Whole milk: 1 cup (for sauce) & 1/2 cup (for dumplings)
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (sauce) & 1/2 teaspoon (dumplings)
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
- Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
- Unsalted butter, melted: 2 tablespoons (dumplings)
- Fresh parsley, chopped: 2 tablespoons, optional (dumplings)
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Set oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Sauté vegetables:
- In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add flour:
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables; stir for 1 minute.
- Make sauce:
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Combine filling:
- Add cooked chicken, peas, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix well.
- Transfer mixture:
- Pour into greased 9x13 inch casserole dish.
- Prepare dumpling dough:
- In bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in melted butter and milk until just mixed. Fold in parsley if using.
- Add dumplings:
- Drop spoonfuls of dough over chicken mixture.
- Bake:
- Bake uncovered 25 to 30 minutes, until dumplings are golden and cooked through.
- Rest:
- Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Save Pin One night, my kids asked for seconds and even helped scoop out more dumplings straight from the pan. Sharing this meal felt like passing on an old tradition.
Required Tools
Large skillet, mixing bowls, whisk, casserole dish, measuring cups and spoons, oven
Allergen Information
Contains: Wheat (gluten), milk, dairy. Check chicken broth labels for additional allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 420 calories, 17 g total fat, 38 g carbohydrates, 29 g protein
Save Pin Serve the casserole warm and let family or guests dig in at the table. It tastes even better when everyone enjoys it together.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken for this dish?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works well and saves preparation time while providing tender, flavorful meat.
- → What are some good herb substitutions?
Rosemary or sage can be used instead of thyme for a different but appealing aromatic flavor.
- → Can I prepare parts ahead of time?
You can prepare the chicken mixture and dumpling dough separately, then assemble and bake just before serving.
- → How should the dumplings look when done?
Dumplings should be golden on top and cooked through, soft but holding their shape.
- → What side dishes pair well with this casserole?
Light green salads or steamed green beans complement the rich and hearty casserole nicely.