Name: Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 3 cups shredded boiled chicken breast (cooked, shredded); 1 can cream of chicken soup; 6 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 cups chicken broth; 1/4 cup finely chopped onion; 1/3 cup finely chopped bell pepper (any color); 1 tsp poultry seasoning; 2 cups whole milk; 2 cups Bisquick mix; to taste salt and pepper

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My mom used to make a version of this casserole on chilly Sunday nights, and it’s always been one of those feel-good, cozy meals that reminds me of home. This Chicken and Dumpling Casserole has everything I love about classic comfort food—tender pieces of chicken, a creamy, savory sauce, and a fluffy, biscuit-like topping that bakes up golden and light.

It’s the kind of dish you want to curl up with on the couch, especially after a long day. The melted butter at the bottom gives it such a rich flavor, and the dumpling layer (made with Bisquick—so easy!) soaks up all that creamy goodness as it bakes.

If you’re looking to round out the meal, I like serving it with simple green beans or a crisp side salad to keep things balanced. It’s a hit with kids and grownups alike, and always disappears fast at the dinner table.

(If you enjoy cozy casseroles, you might also like my Turkey Shepherd’s Pie or Creamy Chicken and Rice Bake!)

Why This Casserole Has a Spot on Our Dinner Table

It’s Foolproof – On busy nights when I don’t have the energy for anything fancy, this recipe always comes through. No dough to knead, no long prep—just layer it all up and pop it in the oven.
So Much Comfort – There’s something about the way the buttery base, creamy filling, and biscuit topping bake together that makes this dish feel like home. It’s warm, rich, and full of flavor without being heavy.
Everyone Loves It – This one’s a winner with kids and adults alike. I’ve brought it to family gatherings and potlucks, and there’s never a bite left.
It’s Got Everything – Chicken, veggies, creamy sauce, and a soft dumpling-style top—this is a full meal in one dish. I’ll sometimes add a quick side salad, but honestly, it doesn’t need much.

Key Ingredients:

Shredded Chicken – I usually go with cooked chicken breast for a lean option, but rotisserie or leftover roast chicken works great too and adds even more flavor. Whatever you have on hand!

Cream of Chicken Soup – This adds creamy, savory goodness to the dish. You can swap in cream of mushroom or celery soup if that’s what you’ve got—easy and delicious either way.

Butter – Just a little melted butter gives the casserole richness and helps keep everything moist. You don’t need much to make a big impact.

Chicken Broth – A bit of broth makes the whole casserole nice and creamy. I always go for low-sodium broth so I can control the salt myself.

Onion and Bell Pepper – Chopped small, these veggies add great flavor and a hint of sweetness. Use any color bell pepper—whatever you’ve got in the fridge works!

Poultry Seasoning – This blend brings out all those cozy, herby chicken flavors. No poultry seasoning? Just mix a little thyme, sage, and rosemary instead.

Milk – Whole milk gives the dumpling topping a soft, fluffy texture. You can use low-fat if that’s what you have—it still works just fine.

Bisquick Mix – Makes the dumplings super easy and fluffy with no fuss. If you don’t have Bisquick, self-rising flour is a great backup.

Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below

Instructions:

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Go ahead and set your oven to 350°F. That way, it’ll be ready once everything’s layered and ready to bake.

Step 2: Melt the Butter

Take your 9×13-inch baking dish and drop in 6 tablespoons of butter.
Pop it in the oven for a few minutes, just until the butter melts. You’ll want to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t brown too much. This step adds a rich flavor and keeps everything from sticking.

Step 3: Add the Chicken and Veggies

Once the butter is melted, pull the dish out of the oven carefully.
Now scatter 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken over the butter.
Sprinkle in some finely chopped onion and bell pepper—use what you’ve got or what you like.
Give it a light sprinkle of poultry seasoning to add some cozy, savory flavor.

Step 4: Mix Up the Biscuit Layer

In a bowl, mix together:

1 cup of Bisquick
1 cup of milk
A little salt and pepper

Whisk it until it’s smooth, then gently pour it over the chicken and veggies. Don’t stir—just let it spread out. It’s going to bake into a fluffy dumpling layer.

Step 5: Add the Sauce

In another bowl, stir together:

1½ cups chicken broth
1 can of cream of chicken soup

Once it’s nice and smooth, slowly pour this over everything in the dish. Again, no stirring. It’ll settle as it bakes and give you that creamy, comforting texture we love.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for about 50 to 60 minutes.
You’re looking for a golden top and bubbly edges. If the top isn’t quite golden at the 50-minute mark, give it a few more minutes.

Step 7: Let it Rest and Serve

When it comes out of the oven, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps everything settle and makes serving a whole lot easier.
Scoop it onto plates and dig in. It’s simple, satisfying, and tastes like something Grandma would’ve made on a Sunday.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole really is the kind of dish that can hold its own — hearty, creamy, and full of that old-school comfort we all crave. But if you’re looking to make it a full spread (say, Sunday dinner or a chilly-night gathering), here are a few simple sides that complement it beautifully:

A Fresh Green Salad: Something crisp and light — maybe baby greens or romaine — tossed with a zippy vinaigrette. It balances out the richness just right.
Oven-Roasted Veggies: Think tender carrots, blistered green beans, or asparagus with a little olive oil and sea salt. Roast them until they get those golden, caramelized edges. So good.
Biscuits or Cornbread: For that down-home feel, nothing beats a basket of warm, fluffy biscuits or a thick wedge of slightly sweet cornbread. Bonus points if they’re homemade.
Cranberry Sauce: Trust me on this one — that tart little pop of cranberry is the perfect contrast. It’s like Thanksgiving meets weeknight dinner, in the best way.

Whether it’s just the family on a Tuesday or you’re feeding a crowd, this dish has a way of bringing folks back to the table for seconds. It’s warm, familiar, and downright satisfying.

Storage & Reheating Tips

This casserole is one of those magical meals that tastes just as good the next day — maybe even better after the flavors have had a chance to cozy up together overnight.

Storing Leftovers:
Let it cool completely, then scoop whatever’s left into an airtight container. It’ll keep just fine in the fridge for up to 3 days. Perfect for easy lunches or next-day dinner when you don’t feel like cooking.

Freezing:
Want to save some for later? No problem. Just make sure it’s cooled down, then wrap it up snug with plastic wrap and a layer of foil. It’ll keep in the freezer for a couple of months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just move it to the fridge the night before to thaw.

Reheating:
You can pop the whole dish back in the oven at 350°F — cover it with foil so it doesn’t dry out — and heat it until it’s warmed through, about 20 minutes or so. Or, if you’re in a hurry (been there!), just microwave individual portions. A little splash of milk or broth brings back that creamy texture in a snap.

Recipe Variations to Try

One of my favorite things about this casserole is how easy it is to play around with. Once you’ve made it once, you’ll start thinking of all sorts of ways to make it your own — here are a few of mine to get you started:

1. Load It Up with Veggies
Sometimes I like to stir in a few handfuls of frozen peas, chopped carrots, or green beans before topping it with the dumplings. Not only does it stretch the dish a bit further, but it adds a nice pop of color and a little extra something on the nutrition front.

2. Give It a Kick
If your family likes a little heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the dumpling mix. You can also sneak in a bit of spicy seasoning with the chicken — it gives it just enough warmth without overpowering that creamy comfort factor.

3. Herb It Up
Fresh herbs make such a difference. I’ll often throw in a little chopped thyme, rosemary, or sage — whatever I have on hand — either in the dumpling batter or stirred into the sauce. It gives the whole dish this fresh, cozy flavor that tastes like it came straight out of grandma’s kitchen.

4. Make It Cheesy
Want to win over the picky eaters at your table? Stir in some shredded cheddar or mozzarella with the chicken layer. Or, sprinkle a little cheese on top right before baking — it melts into a golden, bubbly layer that’s hard to resist.

5. Try a Mushroom Twist
For something a little different, swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom. It gives the casserole a deeper, earthier flavor — especially lovely in the cooler months. I’ve even added a few sautéed mushrooms to the mix when I had some to use up.

Wrapping It Up—With a Fork and a Smile

If there’s one thing this Chicken and Dumpling Casserole delivers, it’s that feeling of being cared for. It’s the kind of meal that brings people to the table—and keeps them there, maybe sneaking seconds straight from the dish. And in a world full of complicated recipes and fast-paced dinners, that’s something worth holding onto.

So go ahead—pull out your casserole dish, gather your ingredients, and give this warm, welcoming recipe a place in your kitchen. Whether it’s a chilly night or just a long day, there’s nothing quite like a forkful of buttery, creamy, fluffy goodness to make everything feel a little more okay.