Easy Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings Recipe | Practically Homemade (2024)

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ByJune Albertson-DickPublished

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After such a hot summer I am finding myself ready for fall weather and food. Warm and comforting dinners like this Easy Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings Recipe are just what I am looking for. The best part is that in 30 minutes you can have a bowl of hearty and delicious Chicken and Dumplings that your whole family will go crazy for.

Do you love comfort food? Try this Crock Pot Meatloaf Recipe!

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What are Chicken and Dumplings?

Chicken and Dumplings is a soup that includes chicken and sometimes vegetables that are cooked in a broth.

The dumpling, which is normally in the form of biscuit dough, is cooked in the soup to create a soft and pillowy biscuit-like texture.

Why is this Chicken and Dumplings Recipe so fast!

This Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings recipe is so fast because we are using chicken that has already been cooked which saves a ton of time. In fact, leftover chicken {or turkey} is a perfect option.

The recipe also uses store bought chicken broth and the dumplings only have 3 ingredients. Using pancake mix to make the dumplings makes it super simple.

Easy Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings Recipe | Practically Homemade (2)

How to easily Make Chicken and Dumplings

Begin with your list of ingredients and have everything prepped. This will save you so much time.

  • Butter-used to saute the vegetables and as the fat to thick the soup with the flour.
  • Vegetables-onion, carrots and celery are what we have used but it can be changed up.
  • Flour-combined with the butter it will help thicken the soup to just the right consistency.
  • Chicken Broth-using chicken broth will add a ton of flavor, I prefer a low sodium variety.
  • Milk-used in both the soup and the dumpling, it adds creaminess for the soup and binds the dumpling together.
  • Cooked Shredded Chicken-this recipe is the perfect place to use leftover chicken or turkey.
  • Pancake Mix-such a time saver, pancake mix gives you the structure for your dumplings.
  • Fresh Thyme-I love the flavor of fresh thyme in chicken soup! If you don’t have fresh, use dried or even just eliminate it altogether. Don’t let this ingredient stop you from making this recipe.

Now it is time to put everything together!! Begin by making the dumpling batter.

Combine the pancake mix, milk and fresh thyme to a medium bowl and stir to create a thick batter. Set it aside until it is ready to use.

Easy Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings Recipe | Practically Homemade (3)

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe:

  1. Grab your vegetables and cooked shredded chicken.
  2. Melt your butter in a heavy bottom pan or Dutch Oven and add your vegetables. Saute until the vegetables are slightly softened.
  3. Add the flour to the softened vegetables.
  4. Stir to coat the vegetables with the flour and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minutes.

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Once you have the vegetables cooked it is time to start assembling and getting this Easy Chicken and Dumpling soup recipe going.

  1. Add the chicken broth and stir to combine. I like to scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any bits that have stuck because it adds so much flavor. Bring to a boil.
  2. Once it is at a boil, add the milk and chicken. Turn down to simmer.
  3. Grab your bowl of dumpling batter and use a medium cookie scoop {or about 1.5 tablespoons} to scoop mounds of batter into the pot.
  4. You should get about 1 dozen dumplings. Add the lid to the top of the pot and cook for 15 minutes on simmer or until the dumplings are fluffy, cooked and have floated to the top.

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Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

I wouldn’t suggest making this Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings recipe too far ahead of time. If you do need to make it ahead then I would make the soup part ahead.

I would make the dumplings right before serving. The great thing is that they do not take much time to cook.

Can I use chicken thighs or other dark meat?

Absolutely! Any kind of chicken {or turkey} that has already been cooked will work wonderfully and taste amazing.

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Do I have to add vegetables to my Chicken and Dumplings recipe?

No, you do not have to add vegetables. In fact, there are many recipes that do not include any kind of veggies.

It is really a personal preference but I love adding a few vegetables for both flavor and color.

Pro Tips for making the BEST Easy Fluffy Dumplings

  • Don’t over mix the dumpling batter. The more you mix the ingredients the more tough it can tend to get. I recommend stirring until everything is just combined.
  • Use a cookie scoop to distribute dumplings into the soup. That way each dumpling is the same size and will cook evenly.
  • Once you put the lid on, set a timer and don’t peek. The steam that is created by adding the lid is what ultimately cooks the dumplings, so keep that baby on there.

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Do you love comfort food? Try these recipes…
  • Crock Pot Meatloaf
  • Homemade Mac and Cheese
  • Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
  • 30 Minute Chili
  • Lasagna Skillet
  • Shepard’s Pie Skillet

Easy Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings Recipe | Practically Homemade (8)

Easy Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

This simple recipe for Chicken and Dumplings can be made in less than 30 minutes. A perfect way to use leftover chicken, this Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings Recipe will quickly become a family favorite.

Course: Main Course

Author: June Albertson-Dick

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

4.90 from 39 votes

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Ingredients

Dumplings

  • 2 cups pancake mix {I used Bisquick}
  • cup milk {I used 1%}
  • ½ tsp fresh thyme {finely chopped}

Soup

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • ½ small onion {diced}
  • 2 carrots {diced}
  • 2 stalks celery {diced}
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup milk {I used 1%}
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken {or turkey}

Instructions

Dumplings

  • Combine pancake mix, milk and finely chopped fresh thyme in a medium bowl. Stir until you have a thick batter. Set aside until ready to use.

Soup

  • In a large heavy bottom skillet {or Dutch oven}, melt butter over medium high heat. Add onion, carrots and celery to the melted butter and sautee until softened slightly {about 3-4 minutes}.

  • Add in flour and stir to coat softened vegetables. Continue to cook for about 30 seconds. Add chicken stock to softened vegetables and stir, scraping the bottom of the pot to remove any bits {so much flavor}. Bring to a boil.

  • Turn the heat down to simmer. Add milk and cooked chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Use a medium cookie scoop {or about 1.5 tablespoons} to scoop mounds of dumpling batter into the soup. Continue until all of the batter has been used {you should get about 12}. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the dumplings are fluffy, cooked and have floated to the top.

  • Serve in a bowl with a sprinkling of cracked black pepper and a few springs of fresh thyme. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @PracticallyHomemade or tag #practicallyhomemade!

Easy Pancake Mix Chicken and Dumplings Recipe | Practically Homemade (2024)

FAQs

Why are my chicken and dumplings not fluffy? ›

If it's boiling too hard, the dumpling dough can fall apart. Simmering broth might not be hot enough to raise the dumpling dough. Remove or tilt the lid after they've cooked so the dumplings don't over-steam and get soggy and dense. At least, that's the way I was taught and dumplings come out fluffy and delicious.

What is dumpling mix made of? ›

Combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon fine salt in a medium bowl. Cut in 1 tablespoon softened unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, if using. Stir together with a fork until blended. Stir in 1/3 cup milk to form a wet dough.

How do you thicken homemade chicken and dumplings? ›

Use Cornstarch to Thicken Chicken and Dumplings

To give that a little thicker texture we're going to add 1 cup of cool water to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and stir it up well. Make sure the soup is brought back to a good boil and go ahead and stir in the cornstarch mixture.

How do you keep chicken dumplings from falling apart? ›

  1. Use the right amount of water. ...
  2. Don't overmix the dough. ...
  3. Let the dough rest. ...
  4. Roll the dough out thinly. ...
  5. Use a light touch when shaping the dumplings. ...
  6. Cook the dumplings in a gentle simmer. ...
  7. Don't overcrowd the pot. ...
  8. Don't stir the dumplings while they are cooking.
Mar 20, 2023

Do you cook dumplings with lid on or lid off? ›

Once your water is boiling, let your dumplings cook in the steam for about ten minutes. Don't remove the lid as letting the steam escape will disrupt the cooking process and result in undercooked dumplings, so keep that lid on!

How do you make dumplings taste better? ›

A little citrus zest also makes a great addition. Lemon zest is a good all-rounder, but orange would also work well, particularly for lamb or beef stews. A little mustard or horseradish will also add a hit of extra flavour to your dumplings – not too much though, as they also add moisture.

What are the 3 components of dumplings? ›

What are dumplings made of? The dumpling dough is made of three main ingredients: flour, water and salt.

What flour is best for dumplings? ›

These dumplings start with all-purpose flour, which creates structure and holds the other ingredients together. Baking powder is a leavening agent, which means it releases gas that makes the dough expand. It's responsible for the dumplings' light and fluffy texture.

Can you use plain flour for dumplings? ›

For dumplings made with wheat flour, all purpose or plain flour will suffice. If your recipe calls for leavening, you'll need to add baking powder and salt. Alternatively, you can use self-rising flour which has the leavening included. For a lot of dumplings, plain flour is all that is required with no baking powder.

How to tell when dumplings are done in chicken and dumplings? ›

Here's how you can tell whether your chicken and dumpling soup is done and ready to eat. If the biscuit pieces feel gooey or mushy, they are not thoroughly cooked—give them more time to simmer in the rapidly boiling liquid until perfectly pillowy and fluffy.

Can I use water instead of chicken broth for chicken and dumplings? ›

Can I use Water instead of Chicken Broth in this Homemade Chicken and Dumplings recipe? Yes, you can use water but it won't be as flavorful. To add flavor, make sure you boil the chicken in the water with the addition of a couple of ribs of celery and a diced onion.

Why do my dumplings in chicken and dumplings fall apart? ›

⭐️ The most important tip: Keep the pot at a gentle simmer when cooking the dumplings. An aggressive simmer or boiling will break them apart. Keep the heat low and keep your pot covered so that they steam.

Why did my homemade dumplings fall apart? ›

Homemade dumplings can fall apart for a number of different reasons, or any combination of them. Often they burst during cooking because they have too much filling for the amount of dough. Some doughs are too dry, so the dumplings won't stay sealed. Others can be too wet and sticky and end up tearing.

Why isn t my chicken and dumplings thick? ›

How can I thicken stove top chicken and dumplings? You can thicken this dish by adding more flour, or even cornstarch. Create a slurry with either of these ingredients and milk or water, then stir into your broth base until you get your desired consistency.

Why are my chicken and dumplings doughy? ›

Simmering broth might not be hot enough to raise the dumpling dough. Remove or tilt the lid after they've cooked so the dumplings don't over-steam and get soggy and dense. At least, that's the way I was taught and dumplings come out fluffy and delicious.

Are dumplings in chicken and dumplings supposed to be doughy? ›

You can test a dumpling to check they are done — The center should look cooked through and fluffy, not doughy. When cooking the dumplings, keep the pot at a gentle simmer. An aggressive simmer or boiling will break them apart. Keep the heat low and keep your pot covered so that they steam.

Why are my chicken and dumplings gummy? ›

The best dumplings are tender and soft, easy to eat with just a spoon. If your dumplings instead turn tough or gummy, the most likely culprit is overworked dough.

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