Easy Chicken & Dumplings Casserole for Comfort Food Dinners

When you’re craving a hearty, comforting meal that comes together without a fuss, this Easy Chicken & Dumplings Casserole is your new best friend.

It’s the perfect answer for those busy weeknights when you need something satisfying on the table fast, whether you’re feeding a hungry couple or a bustling family of four.

This recipe takes all the beloved flavors of classic chicken and dumplings and transforms them into a simple, bake-and-serve casserole. Using cooked chicken and a few pantry staples, you can whip up a warm, creamy dish that feels like a hug in a bowl, making dinner both delicious and incredibly easy.

Easy Chicken & Dumplings Casserole

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• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Easy Chicken & Dumplings Casserole is a hearty, comforting meal that comes together quickly, perfect for busy weeknights. It transforms classic chicken and dumplings into a simple, bake-and-serve casserole using cooked chicken and pantry staples for a warm, creamy, and satisfying dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced

1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 (8 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and chicken broth until smooth and well combined.

3. Stir in the dried parsley, black pepper, and garlic powder into the soup mixture, distributing the seasonings evenly.

4. Gently fold in the shredded or diced cooked chicken into the seasoned soup mixture, ensuring the chicken is fully coated.

5. Pour the entire chicken and soup mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

6. Unroll the can of crescent roll dough. Separate the dough into individual triangles. Arrange these triangles over the chicken mixture in the baking dish, overlapping slightly to create a rustic, dumpling-like topping.

7. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are puffed up, golden brown, and the casserole filling is bubbly around the edges.

8. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: main dish
• Method: baking
• Cuisine: american

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving

Keywords: casserole, chicken, dumplings, easy, weeknight, comfort food, creamy, quick, family meal, bake

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This casserole is a true weeknight hero because it delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort. It’s designed for busy parents, individuals looking for simple meal solutions, or anyone who appreciates a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the use of readily available ingredients, especially pre-cooked chicken, which shaves off significant preparation time. You’ll find it’s a fantastic option for a cozy family dinner, a comforting meal after a long day, or even a potluck contribution that everyone will rave about. It’s hearty enough to be a stand-alone meal, making it incredibly practical for diverse dining needs.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this comforting casserole is straightforward, focusing on common pantry and refrigerator items. The use of cooked chicken is key here, allowing you to repurpose leftovers or pick up a rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (8 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough

For the cooked chicken, you can easily use leftover roasted chicken, boiled chicken breasts, or even a store-bought rotisserie chicken. If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup, another can of cream of chicken soup works perfectly fine, or you could opt for cream of celery soup for a slightly different flavor profile. Feel free to use any type of milk you have on hand, from whole milk to skim, as the difference in richness will be minimal in the final dish. For the crescent rolls, any brand of refrigerated crescent dough will work beautifully to create those fluffy, dumpling-like toppings.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the best features of this chicken and dumplings casserole is how quickly it comes together, making it ideal for those evenings when time is of the essence.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20-25 minutes
• Total time: 30-35 minutes

This realistic timeline ensures you can have a warm, satisfying meal on the table in just over half an hour, perfect for busy weeknights or when unexpected guests arrive.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this comforting casserole is a breeze, even for beginner cooks. Just follow these simple steps to achieve a delicious and satisfying meal.

1. Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the casserole bakes evenly and the crescent rolls get perfectly golden. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Combine the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This forms the rich, savory sauce for your casserole.
3. Season the Sauce: Stir in the dried parsley, black pepper, and garlic powder into the soup mixture. Give it a good stir to distribute the seasonings evenly, enhancing the overall flavor of the casserole.
4. Add the Chicken: Gently fold in the shredded or diced cooked chicken into the seasoned soup mixture. Make sure the chicken is fully coated with the sauce.
5. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire chicken and soup mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
6. Prepare the Dumpling Topping: Unroll the can of crescent roll dough. Separate the dough into individual triangles. Arrange these triangles over the chicken mixture in the baking dish. You can overlap them slightly, creating a rustic, dumpling-like topping.
7. Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are puffed up, golden brown, and the casserole filling is bubbly around the edges. The golden color of the crescent rolls is your visual cue that it’s ready.
8. Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly and prevents it from being too runny.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This chicken and dumplings casserole is wonderfully versatile, allowing for simple variations and easy serving options to suit any occasion or preference.

For a kid-friendly twist, you can add a cup of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) to the chicken mixture before baking. This boosts the nutritional value and adds color, often making it more appealing to younger eaters. If you want to make it a bit heartier, consider adding a cup of cooked, diced potatoes or even some sautéed onions and celery to the base. For a touch of cheesy goodness, sprinkle about 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the chicken mixture before adding the crescent rolls.

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple side salad tossed with a light vinaigrette, or some steamed green beans for added freshness. For a more substantial side, a crusty bread for dipping into the creamy sauce is always a hit. It’s also an excellent dish for potlucks or casual gatherings; simply bake it in a disposable aluminum pan for easy transport and cleanup. As for optional toppings, a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives or extra dried parsley after baking adds a nice touch of color and a hint of fresh flavor.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a straightforward recipe like this, a few common mistakes can occur. Knowing how to sidestep them will ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time.

One frequent issue is overbaking the crescent rolls. If baked too long, they can become tough and dry instead of light and fluffy. Keep a close eye on them during the last 5-10 minutes of baking; they should be golden brown, not dark brown. Another common slip-up is not greasing the baking dish adequately. This can lead to the casserole sticking, making serving difficult and cleanup a chore. A quick spray with cooking oil or a thin layer of butter will prevent this.

Sometimes, the sauce can be too thick or too thin. If your condensed soups are particularly thick, or if you prefer a looser sauce, you can add an extra splash of milk or chicken broth (1-2 tablespoons at a time) to reach your desired consistency before adding the chicken. Conversely, if it seems too thin, ensure your cans of soup are the standard condensed variety, not ready-to-serve. Lastly, not allowing the casserole to rest before serving can result in a runny sauce. The 5-10 minute resting period allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly, making for a much better serving experience.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This chicken and dumplings casserole is fantastic for leftovers and can even be prepared in advance, making meal planning a breeze.

To store leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature. Then, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer individual portions to airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

For reheating, individual portions can be warmed in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. For a larger portion or the entire casserole, cover it loosely with foil and reheat in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warm. Adding a splash of milk or broth before reheating can help keep the sauce from drying out.

If you want to make this dish ahead, you can prepare the chicken and soup mixture and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, pour the mixture into your baking dish, top with fresh crescent rolls, and bake as directed. It’s not recommended to assemble the entire casserole with the crescent rolls and then refrigerate it unbaked, as the dough can become soggy. Freezing the baked casserole is possible, but the crescent roll topping may lose some of its fluffy texture upon thawing and reheating.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Here are some common questions that often come up when preparing this easy chicken and dumplings casserole:

• **Can I use raw chicken

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.