Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken breast: Diced into small pieces for quick cooking and tender texture.

Carrots: Sliced for sweetness and color.

Celery: Adds a subtle crunch and flavor.

Onion: Chopped to enhance the savory base.

Chicken broth: Provides a rich and flavorful liquid base.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth.

Frozen peas: Stirred in for a pop of color and sweetness.

All-purpose flour: The base for the dumplings.

Baking powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become fluffy.

Milk: Adds moisture to the dumpling batter.

Butter: Melted and mixed into the dumpling batter for richness.

When preparing the dumplings for this Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe, be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in dense and tough dumplings. Stir the flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and butter until just combined to ensure light and fluffy results.

• chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative.

• carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar sweetness and texture when cooked, providing a comparable taste.

• celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel offers a similar crunch and a slightly sweet, anise-like flavor that complements the dish.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can provide a similar depth of flavor while keeping the dish vegetarian.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor but is less visually noticeable in the dish.

• frozen peas - Substitute with edamame: Edamame offers a similar texture and a slightly different but complementary flavor.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour provides a similar texture with added nutritional benefits.

• baking powder - Substitute with baking soda and cream of tartar: Mixing baking soda with cream of tartar can replicate the leavening effect of baking powder.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk provides a similar consistency and can be used for a dairy-free option.

• butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil offers a similar fat content and can provide a slightly different but pleasant flavor.

• Allow the chicken and dumplings to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the cooled chicken mixture into an airtight container. Make sure to use a container that is the right size to minimize air space, which can cause freezer burn.
• For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The chicken and dumplings will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• For long-term storage, place the container in the freezer. The chicken and dumplings can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• When ready to reheat, if frozen, transfer the container to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
• Reheat the chicken and dumplings in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• If the dumplings have absorbed too much liquid and become too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach the desired consistency.
• For best results, avoid reheating multiple times as this can affect the texture and flavor of the dumplings and chicken.

• For stovetop reheating:

  1. Transfer the leftover chicken and dumplings to a saucepan or pot.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent sticking and to keep the dish moist.
  3. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken and dumplings are heated through, about 10-15 minutes.

• For microwave reheating:

  1. Place a portion of the leftover chicken and dumplings in a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Continue heating in 1-minute intervals until the dish is hot.

• For oven reheating:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the leftover chicken and dumplings to an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken and dumplings are heated through.

• For Instant Pot reheating:

  1. Add the leftover chicken and dumplings back into the Instant Pot.
  2. Add a small amount of chicken broth or water to prevent burning.
  3. Set the Instant Pot to the sauté function and heat, stirring occasionally, until the dish is warmed through.

• Instant Pot: An electric pressure cooker used for sautéing, pressure cooking, and making the entire dish in one pot.

• Sauté function: A setting on the Instant Pot that allows you to brown the chicken before pressure cooking.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the ingredients for the dumpling batter.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring out the ingredients like flour, milk, and chicken broth.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure smaller quantities of ingredients such as salt, pepper, and baking powder.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the chicken and vegetables in the Instant Pot.

• Knife: Used to dice the chicken breast and chop the vegetables.

• Cutting board: A surface for safely chopping the chicken and vegetables.

• Lid: The Instant Pot lid is crucial for sealing the pot to build pressure for cooking.

• Spatula: Useful for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl when preparing the dumpling batter.

• Serving spoon: Used to serve the finished chicken and dumplings.

Pre-dice the chicken: Save time by buying pre-diced chicken breast from the store.

Use pre-chopped vegetables: Opt for pre-chopped carrots, celery, and onion to cut down on prep time.

Instant broth: Use store-bought chicken broth instead of making your own.

Frozen peas: Keep a bag of frozen peas handy to avoid the need for fresh ones.

Quick dumpling mix: Prepare the dumpling batter while the chicken mixture is cooking to streamline the process.