Dolly Parton’s Chicken & Dumplings

This easy Chicken & Dumplings recipe turns a store-bought rotisserie chicken and refrigerated biscuits into a warm, creamy, Southern-inspired comfort meal. Tender chicken simmers in a rich broth made with cream of chicken and cream of celery soups, while pieces of biscuit dough cook right in the sauce to become soft, fluffy dumplings.

It’s hearty, comforting, budget-friendly, and perfect for a cozy family dinner.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
• Total Time: 45–50 minutes
• Servings: 6–8
• Difficulty: Easy
• Method: Stovetop

Ingredients

Chicken & Broth

• 1 rotisserie chicken, meat removed from the bones and shredded or cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of chicken soup
• 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of celery soup
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Salt, to taste

Dumplings

• 1 can (16.3 oz / 462 g) refrigerated biscuits

Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• A little butter

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

Remove the skin and bones from the rotisserie chicken.

Shred or chop the meat into bite-size pieces.

Set aside.

Tip: Dark meat gives the dish extra richness, but you can use a combination of white and dark meat.

2. Make the Creamy Chicken Base

Place a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

Add the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, milk, and chicken broth.

Whisk until smooth.

Add the black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.

Do not let it boil rapidly—the creamy base can scorch or become too thick.

3. Add the Chicken

Stir the shredded rotisserie chicken into the simmering soup mixture.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chicken warm through for about 5 minutes.

Taste the broth and add salt only if needed, since the soups and rotisserie chicken can already contain quite a bit of salt.

4. Prepare the Biscuit Dumplings

Open the refrigerated biscuits and separate them.

Cut each biscuit into approximately 4–6 pieces.

Smaller pieces cook more evenly and give you plenty of fluffy dumplings throughout the pot.

5. Add the Dumplings

Bring the chicken mixture back to a gentle simmer.

Drop the biscuit pieces into the pot one at a time, spreading them around the surface.

Don’t stir aggressively once the dumplings have been added, as they can break apart.

6. Cover and Cook

Cover the pot tightly with a lid.

Cook over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes.

Keep the mixture at a gentle simmer.

The steam trapped under the lid helps the biscuit pieces cook and become fluffy.

Important: Avoid lifting the lid repeatedly during the first 15 minutes because the dumplings need the steam to cook properly.

7. Check the Dumplings

After about 15 minutes, carefully cut one dumpling in half.

It should be cooked through in the center without a raw, doughy appearance.

If necessary, cover and cook for another 3–5 minutes.

8. Finish and Serve

Once the dumplings are cooked, gently stir around the edges of the pot to distribute the chicken and creamy sauce without breaking up the dumplings.

Taste once more and adjust the seasoning.

Spoon the chicken, dumplings, and creamy sauce into bowls.

Finish with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper if desired.

Serve hot.

Chef’s Tips

Don’t boil the dumplings hard

A gentle simmer is ideal. A vigorous boil can cause the biscuit pieces to break apart or become gummy.

Keep the lid closed

The steam is essential for cooking the biscuit dumplings all the way through.

Cut the biscuits smaller

Quartering or cutting them into smaller pieces helps prevent the outside from cooking before the center is done.

Don’t oversalt

Cream soups, rotisserie chicken, and canned biscuits can all contain sodium. Taste before adding additional salt.

Want thicker dumplings?

Use slightly smaller biscuit pieces and allow them to cook uncovered for the final 2–3 minutes after they’re fully cooked.

Optional Flavor Additions

For an even more flavorful pot of chicken and dumplings, add:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ cup diced carrots
• ½ cup diced celery
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon sage
• Fresh parsley

If using fresh vegetables, sauté them in a little butter until softened before adding the soups and broth.

Variations

🥕 Chicken & Vegetable Dumplings

Add peas, carrots, corn, or green beans for a complete one-pot meal.

🧄 Garlic Herb Dumplings

Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon dried parsley to the biscuit pieces before adding them to the pot.

🌶️ Peppery Southern Style

Increase the black pepper and add a pinch of cayenne for a gentle kick.

🧀 Cheesy Chicken & Dumplings

Stir ½ cup shredded cheddar into the creamy chicken base just before adding the dumplings.

Make-Ahead

The creamy chicken base can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated.

For the best dumpling texture, add and cook the refrigerated biscuit dough just before serving rather than making the dumplings ahead of time.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

The dumplings will absorb some of the creamy sauce as they sit, so the leftovers will be thicker the next day.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Add a splash of chicken broth or milk if the sauce has become too thick.

You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring gently between intervals.

Freezing: Because the biscuit dumplings can become soft and gummy after freezing and thawing, this dish is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with simple Southern-inspired sides such as:

• Green beans
• Collard greens
• Cornbread
• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted carrots
• Simple green salad
• Buttered corn

A warm piece of cornbread alongside the creamy broth is especially delicious.

The Result

Tender rotisserie chicken, creamy savory broth, and soft, fluffy biscuit dumplings come together in one incredibly comforting pot. It’s the kind of easy, hearty dinner that’s perfect for chilly evenings, Sunday suppers, or whenever you want a bowl of classic Southern-style comfort food. 🍗🥣