20 Chicken and Dumpling Recipes for Ultimate Comfort Food
These hearty chicken and dumpling recipes bring warmth and satisfaction to any table. From quick slow cooker versions to traditional homemade styles, each offers its own special comfort.
Whether you prefer fluffy dumplings or flat noodle-style ones, these recipes deliver the soul-warming goodness your family craves on chilly days.
01. Simple Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

This version uses just five ingredients including chicken, broth, and refrigerated biscuit dough. The slow cooker does all the work while creating rich, buttery flavors.
The long, gentle cooking makes tender chicken that falls apart easily. Biscuit pieces transform into fluffy, satisfying dumplings that soak up all the savory broth.
Perfect for busy families who want comfort food without much prep work. You can start it in the morning and come home to dinner ready.
02. Quick Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings

This method combines Bisquick mix with milk to create fresh dumplings in minutes. The baking mix gives consistent results every time without measuring multiple ingredients.
The dumplings cook right in the simmering chicken broth, absorbing flavors while staying light and fluffy. This technique works great with leftover turkey too.
Great for weeknight dinners when you need something satisfying fast. Most home cooks already have Bisquick in their pantry for convenience.
03. Vegetable-Loaded Chicken and Dumplings

This approach adds carrots, celery, and peas to create a complete meal in one pot. Store-bought biscuit dough simplifies the dumpling-making process significantly.
The vegetables cook alongside the chicken, creating layers of flavor in the broth. Everything simmers together until the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld perfectly.
This version works wonderfully when you’re feeling under the weather. The extra vegetables provide nutrition while maintaining that classic comfort food appeal.
04. Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

This recipe creates extra-creamy results using refrigerated biscuits that cook directly in the slow cooker. The extended cooking time develops deep, rich flavors throughout.
The biscuits break down slightly during cooking, naturally thickening the broth. This creates a velvety texture that coats every spoonful with creamy goodness.
Perfect for set-and-forget cooking on busy days. The creamy consistency makes this version especially appealing to kids and picky eaters.
05. Turkey Dumpling Soup

This method transforms Thanksgiving leftovers into a completely new meal using turkey, vegetables, and homemade dumplings. The turkey provides a milder flavor than traditional chicken versions.
The dumplings float on top of a savory turkey and vegetable stew base. This technique creates different textures in each bowl, from tender vegetables to fluffy dumplings.
Great for using up holiday leftovers without feeling like you’re eating the same meal twice. The mild flavors appeal to the whole family.
06. Irish-Style Chicken and Dumplings with Vegetables

This version loads the pot with carrots, peas, and potatoes for a hearty, stew-like consistency. The Irish approach creates a more substantial meal with extra vegetables.
The potatoes help thicken the broth naturally while adding filling starch. All the vegetables cook until tender, creating a complete comfort meal in one pot.
Perfect for cold winter nights when you need something really filling. The extra vegetables make this version feel more like a complete dinner.
07. Loaded Potato Ham and Cheese Soup with Dumplings

This approach combines potato soup, ham, broccoli, and cheese with small dumplings. The result tastes like several favorite soups rolled into one satisfying bowl.
The cheese melts into the broth, creating a rich, creamy base that coats everything. Small dumplings add texture without overwhelming the other flavors and ingredients.
Great when you can’t decide what kind of soup to make. This version provides serious comfort food for the coldest, most miserable weather days.
08. Restaurant-Style Chicken and Dumplings

This copycat recipe recreates the thick, rich style served at popular chain restaurants. The technique focuses on creating extra-thick broth and perfectly tender dumplings.
The broth gets thickened with flour or cornstarch to achieve that signature restaurant consistency. The dumplings cook until they’re fluffy but not mushy or overcooked.
Perfect for recreating restaurant favorites at home for less money. Kids especially love this version because it tastes familiar and comforting to them.
09. Polish-Style Chicken and Dumplings

This traditional family recipe uses homemade dumplings instead of the usual egg noodles. The Polish approach creates denser, more substantial dumplings with different textures and flavors.
The homemade dumplings take more time but provide authentic, old-world flavor and texture. This method has been passed down through generations of Polish families.
Great for special occasions when you want to try something different. The extra effort creates restaurant-quality results with authentic ethnic flavors throughout.
10. Lighter Chicken and Dumplings

This healthier version reduces fat and calories while maintaining all the comfort food appeal. The recipe uses techniques that cut calories without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
The lighter approach focuses on building flavor through herbs and seasonings rather than heavy cream or butter. The dumplings stay fluffy using lower-fat ingredients.
Perfect for health-conscious families who still want comfort food. This version proves you can eat lighter without giving up your favorite satisfying meals.
11. Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

This pressure cooker method combines boneless thighs with bone-in breast for maximum flavor in minimum time. The Instant Pot creates rich, long-simmered taste without the wait.
The pressure cooking extracts deep flavors from the chicken bones quickly. This technique gives you the richness of slow cooking in a fraction of the time.
Great for busy weeknights when you want homemade comfort food fast. The Instant Pot makes this possible in under an hour total.
12. Old-Fashioned Flat Dumplings

This traditional method creates thin, flat dumplings that look more like wide noodles. The “slick” dumplings provide a different texture that pasta lovers especially enjoy.
The flat dumplings start puffy but cook down into tender, noodle-like pieces. This old-fashioned technique creates the style many grandmothers used to make regularly.
Perfect for those who grew up with this style and want authentic results. The flat dumplings create a more noodle-soup experience than fluffy versions.
13. Three-Ingredient Chicken and Dumplings

This shortcut version uses only chicken thighs, cream of celery soup, and refrigerated biscuit dough. The minimal ingredients create maximum comfort with almost no prep work required.
The cream soup provides instant flavor and thickness to the broth. Refrigerated biscuits transform into tender dumplings that taste surprisingly homemade despite the shortcuts.
Great for beginner cooks or emergency comfort food situations. This proves you don’t need complicated recipes to create satisfying, delicious meals at home.
14. Beef and Red Wine Soup with Dumplings

This elegant version uses beef and red wine instead of chicken for sophisticated, restaurant-quality flavors. The wine adds depth and richness that elevates the entire dish.
The red wine reduces during cooking, concentrating flavors and creating a rich, complex broth. Good wine makes a noticeable difference in the final taste and quality.
Perfect for special occasions or when you want something more upscale. This version impresses dinner guests while still providing that comforting, satisfying experience.
15. Bacon Chicken and Dumplings

This indulgent version combines chicken and dumplings with potato soup and crispy bacon pieces. The bacon adds smoky flavor and extra richness to every spoonful.
The potato soup base creates an extra-thick, creamy consistency that coats everything. Bacon pieces provide bursts of salty, smoky flavor throughout the entire bowl.
Great for when you need the ultimate stick-to-your-ribs comfort food. This version satisfies the biggest appetites and strongest comfort food cravings completely.
16. Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

This improved version adds extra vegetables and uses natural soups instead of condensed versions. The healthier approach maintains flavor while boosting nutrition significantly.
The additional vegetables provide more vitamins and fiber in every serving. Natural soups reduce sodium and artificial ingredients without sacrificing taste or convenience.
Perfect for families trying to eat healthier without giving up favorite foods. The slow cooker convenience makes healthy eating easier to maintain long-term.
17. Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings

This authentic Southern method focuses on creating the most tender dumplings possible using proper mixing techniques. The key involves treating dumpling dough like delicate pie dough.
The gentle mixing technique prevents tough, chewy dumplings that can ruin the dish. Proper handling creates light, fluffy dumplings that melt in your mouth perfectly.
Great for achieving authentic Southern comfort food results at home. The technique takes practice but creates the most tender, restaurant-quality dumplings possible.
18. Turkey Soup with Rosemary Parmesan Dumplings

This gourmet version elevates leftover turkey with herb and cheese dumplings that taste restaurant-quality. The rosemary and Parmesan create sophisticated flavors throughout.
The herb-cheese dumplings add Italian-inspired flavors to traditional comfort food. This technique transforms simple turkey soup into something special and memorable for guests.
Perfect for using holiday leftovers in an elegant, impressive way. The gourmet touches make this suitable for entertaining while still being comforting and satisfying.
19. Hearty Turkey Soup with Parsley Dumplings

This recipe transforms picked-over turkey carcass into rich, flavorful soup with fresh herb dumplings. The turkey bones create incredibly rich broth that rivals chicken versions.
The parsley dumplings add fresh, bright flavor that balances the rich turkey broth perfectly. This technique makes the most of every part of your holiday turkey.
Great for stretching holiday meals and reducing food waste effectively. The rich flavors remind many people of childhood comfort foods and family memories.
20. Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings

This simple method transforms leftover turkey into creamy, satisfying soup using your slow cooker. The long cooking creates tender vegetables and rich, flavorful broth throughout.
The recipe easily adapts to whatever vegetables you have available. You can increase potatoes and carrots based on your family’s preferences and what’s in your refrigerator.
Perfect for easy post-holiday meals that require minimal effort or attention. The slow cooker does all the work while you handle other tasks around the house.
Final Thoughts
These twenty chicken and dumpling recipes offer something for every cook and craving. From quick weeknight shortcuts to traditional slow-simmered versions, each brings its own comfort to the table.
Whether you choose creamy or brothier styles, these recipes prove that homemade comfort food fits into any schedule or skill level perfectly.