Easy Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

My Cozy Kitchen Secret

Let me tell you about my favorite cozy dinner. It’s chicken and dumplings. This recipe is my easy friend. It uses simple things you might already have.

I love how the whole house smells like a hug. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes everyone gather in the kitchen. That matters to me. Food is about bringing people together.

A Little Story for You

I first made this for my grandson, Leo. He was having a bad day. He saw the fluffy dumplings and smiled. I still laugh at that.

His whole mood changed. That’s the power of a warm bowl of food. It can turn a day around. What’s a meal that always makes you feel better?

Why This Recipe Works

We start by cooking the vegetables in butter. This builds a deep, sweet flavor. It’s the best base for our soup. Trust me on this.

Using a rotisserie chicken is my smart trick. It saves so much time. You get to the good part faster—the eating! *Fun fact: Bisquick was invented in the 1930s. A train car full of flour inspired it!*

The Magic of Dumplings

The dumplings are the best part. You just mix two things. Then you drop spoonfuls right on the bubbling soup. They steam into fluffy clouds.

Don’t peek while they cook for the first 10 minutes. That steam is doing its magic. Do you like your dumplings more fluffy or more dense? I’m team fluffy!

Putting It All Together

Once the dumplings are cooked, you are done. Just add a sprinkle of fresh parsley. It adds a little fresh color. Then, ladle it into big bowls.

This is a whole meal in one pot. That matters on busy nights. Less washing up means more time to relax. What’s your favorite one-pot wonder?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
unsalted butter	¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g)
yellow onion, diced	1 large (about 1 ½ cups)
carrots, diced	2 large (about ½ cup)
celery, diced	2 ribs (about ½ cup)
all-purpose flour	2 tablespoons
chicken broth	5 cups (40 ounces)
rotisserie chicken, shredded/cubed	3 cups (420 g)
kosher salt	½ teaspoon
ground black pepper	½ teaspoon
dried thyme	½ teaspoon
cayenne pepper	¼ teaspoon	optional
Bisquick	2 cups (240 g)	homemade or store-bought
whole milk	⅔ cup (163 g)
fresh parsley, chopped		for garnish

My Cozy Chicken and Dumplings Story

Hello, dear. Come sit at my kitchen table. I want to tell you about my favorite comfort food. It’s chicken and dumplings. This recipe reminds me of rainy afternoons with my own grandma. The whole house would smell like butter and thyme. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It’s simpler than you think. We use a little helper called Bisquick for the dumplings. It makes everything so easy. You’ll have a warm, steamy bowl ready in no time. Let’s make some memories together.

First, we start with the good stuff. Grab your big, heavy pot. We call that a Dutch oven. It makes the soup cook so evenly. You’ll melt a whole half-stick of butter in there. I still laugh at that. My grandma would use a whole stick! Then in go the onion, carrots, and celery. We call these the “aromatics.” They make your kitchen smell like home. Let them get soft and sweet. This is the flavor base for everything. (Hard-learned tip: Don’t rush this step! Let those veggies get friendly in the butter.)

• Step 1: Melt your butter in the big pot over medium heat. Swirl it around until it’s all liquid. It should sizzle just a little. This is where the magic starts.
• Step 2: Add your diced onion, carrots, and celery. Stir them around with a wooden spoon. Cook them until the onion looks see-through. This takes about ten minutes. I love the sound they make.
• Step 3: Sprinkle the flour right over the veggies. Stir it for one full minute. This cooks the flour taste out. It will look a bit pasty. That’s perfect! What does the flour help thicken in our soup? Share below!
• Step 4: Now, slowly pour in your chicken broth. Whisk it the whole time. This stops any lumps from forming. You’ll get a smooth, beautiful soup. Bring it to a gentle bubble.
• Step 5: Stir in your shredded chicken, salt, pepper, thyme, and cayenne. The cayenne is my little secret. It just adds a warm feeling. Let this all come to a boil. The smell is incredible now.
• Step 6: Time for dumplings! Mix the Bisquick and milk in a bowl. Stir just until it comes together. The dough will be soft and shaggy. Don’t over-mix it. Set it aside for a moment.
• Step 7: Your soup should be boiling. Drop big spoonfuls of dough right on top. They will look like little clouds floating on a golden sea. It’s my favorite part to watch.
• Step 8: Put the lid on your pot tightly. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it cook for ten minutes. No peeking! The dumplings need the steam to puff up.
• Step 9: After ten minutes, take the lid off. Let it cook for ten more minutes uncovered. This helps the dumplings set. They will be fluffy and cooked through. Then just add a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner, Soup

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a favorite sweater. It’s cozy as is, but you can dress it up! Here are three ways to make it your own. I love playing with my food. It keeps cooking fun and surprising.

• The “Everything But” Twist: Toss in a cup of frozen peas or corn right at the end. They add a sweet, bright pop. It makes the bowl look so cheerful.
• The “A Little Zing” Twist: Swap the dried thyme for a teaspoon of chopped fresh rosemary. Its piney flavor is wonderful with chicken. It feels a bit fancy.
• The “Cozy Herb” Twist: Stir a big spoonful of pesto into the soup after it’s done. It turns the broth a lovely green. It tastes like a summer garden. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving It Up Just Right

This dish is a full meal in a bowl. But I always like to add a little something. A simple green salad with a tart vinaigrette is perfect. It cuts through the richness. A slice of crusty bread is good too. For dipping, of course! My grandson loves it with applesauce on the side. The sweet and savory mix is wonderful.

What to drink? For the grown-ups, a glass of chilled Chardonnay pairs nicely. Its crispness cleanses the palate. For everyone, I love sparkling apple cider. Its bubbles feel like a celebration. Pour it into a pretty glass. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Chicken and Dumplings Cozy

This dish is a hug in a bowl. You will want leftovers. Let the pot cool completely first. Then, store it in the fridge for up to three days. The dumplings will soak up some broth, but that’s okay. It becomes its own delicious thing.

You can freeze it for a busy night, too. I freeze just the stew part, without dumplings. Make fresh dumplings when you reheat. This keeps them fluffy. I learned this after a frozen dumpling turned gummy! Reheat it gently on the stove. Add a splash of broth if it’s thick.

Batch cooking this stew is a lifesaver. It means a warm meal is always ready. That matters on tired days. You nourish your family with ease. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups

Sometimes our cooking needs a little help. That is normal. If your soup seems too thin, do not worry. Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water. Stir it into the simmering soup. It will thicken right up.

If your dumplings are dense, you may have over-mixed. Stir the dough just until it comes together. Lumps are fine. I remember when my first dumplings were like little rocks! Getting this right builds your cooking confidence. Tender dumplings make the whole meal special.

Not enough flavor? Let it simmer a bit longer. This lets the flavors get to know each other. Taste and add a pinch more salt if needed. This simple step makes the flavor sing. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free Bisquick.

Q: Can I make parts ahead? A: Absolutely. Chop the veggies and shred the chicken a day early.

Q: What if I don’t have thyme? A: Use a pinch of sage or poultry seasoning. It will still be lovely.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can, but use a very large pot. The dumplings need room to puff.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A splash of cream at the end is a treat. Fun fact: Adding cream at the end is called “finishing.” Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe finds its way to your table. I hope it fills your kitchen with wonderful smells. Most of all, I hope it brings everyone together. That is what good food does.

I would love to see your creation. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Share a photo of your cozy bowl. It makes my day to see your cooking stories.

Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.