Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 rotisserie chicken (shredded, skin removed)
- 1 stick of butter (melted)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup self-rising flour (must be self-rising for proper rise)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F to ensure it’s nice and hot for baking.
- Prepare Chicken:
- Shred the chicken from the rotisserie (remove the skin), and place it evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. This forms the base layer of your casserole.
- Butter Layer:
- Pour the melted butter evenly over the shredded chicken. This will add richness to the dish and help keep the chicken moist while baking.
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, enhancing the flavor of the chicken.
- Dumpling Batter:
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour and milk until smooth. The flour and milk mixture will form the base for the dumplings as they bake.
- Slowly pour the batter over the chicken, spreading it evenly but do not stir. The batter will form the dumplings as it bakes in the oven.
- Soup and Broth Mixture:
- In the same bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup. This will create a creamy sauce for the casserole that will infuse the chicken and batter with flavor.
- Slowly pour this mixture over the batter in the baking dish. Again, do not stir. The ingredients will naturally separate and cook into distinct layers, with dumplings forming on top.
- Bake:
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake uncovered for about 45 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the casserole bubbly.
- After baking, let the casserole sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the dumplings to finish setting up and gives the casserole time to firm up a bit.
- Serve & Enjoy:
- Once rested, serve and enjoy the comforting layers of tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and creamy broth.
Tips and Variations:
- Leftovers: This casserole is just as good (if not better!) the second day. The dumplings soak up even more flavor from the chicken broth overnight, making it extra comforting.
- Adding Vegetables: If you’d like to sneak in some veggies, you can stir in some frozen peas, carrots, or corn with the chicken before pouring the butter over. It gives the casserole extra color and flavor.
- Cheese: For extra creaminess, you could add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking. It adds a nice cheesy crust to the dumplings!
- Flavored Broth: If you have homemade chicken broth or want a richer flavor, you can use that in place of the store-bought broth for added depth.
This casserole takes all the comfort of traditional chicken and dumplings but in a simplified, one-dish version that’s perfect for busy nights or when you want to impress without a lot of effort. Enjoy!