Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

nstant Pot chicken and dumplings is a simple, filling meal made with chicken, vegetables, and soft biscuit dumplings cooked directly in the broth. This recipe uses everyday ingredients and comes together in one pot, making it a practical option for weeknight dinners.

The dumplings are added at the end using the sauté function, allowing them to cook through while thickening the broth without overcooking the chicken.

Instant Pot Chicken and dumplings in a blue bowl garnished with parsley.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Chicken cooks directly in the broth for added flavor
  • Vegetables soften while the chicken cooks
  • Biscuit dumplings cook quickly using the sauté function
  • Simple ingredients with reliable results
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings in a bowl.

Ingredients You'll Need

This is not the traditional chicken and dumpling recipe. This recipe is one that includes veggies and it makes a full-bodied meal.

  • chicken breasts, cubed (whole frozen breasts work well)
  • chicken broth or stock
  • butter
  • carrots
  • celery, chopped
  • medium onion, diced
  • russet potatoes, cubed
  • poultry seasoning
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder
  • black pepper
  • Salt, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish
  • Canned biscuits (or homemade - recipe for them lower in the post)
Close up of Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings in a bowl.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

  1. Add the butter to the Instant Pot.
  2. Place the cubed chicken breasts in the pot and pour the chicken broth over the chicken.
  3. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and cubed potatoes.
  4. Sprinkle the poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the top. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot. Select the Manual/Pressure Cook setting and set the time to 15 minutes.
  6. While the chicken cooks, cut the refrigerated biscuits into pieces and gently roll them into balls. Set aside.
  7. When the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
  8. Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting. Add the biscuit dough balls to the pot and stir gently but frequently for 5 to 10 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked through and the broth has thickened slightly.
  9. Turn off the Instant Pot and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Frozen Meal Prep

Another great thing about this Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is that it can be frozen ahead of time with the diced veggies, spices, and chicken. 

On the day of cooking, it's as easy as adding the frozen mixture to the pot along with the chicken broth. 

After the pot is done pressure cooking, you then add in your canned biscuits and your meal is done!  It takes very little work, either way, but prepping and freezing meals really take the stress out of busy weeknights. 

Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings in a blue bowl sitting on a beige charger plate.

Helpful Tips

  • Frozen chicken breasts can be added directly to the Instant Pot without thawing
  • Cut biscuit pieces evenly so the dumplings cook at the same rate
  • Stir gently during the sauté step to prevent sticking

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

This Instant Pot chicken and dumplings recipe is filling on its own, but it also pairs well with a simple vegetable side or salad.

If you enjoy hearty meals made in the pressure cooker, this Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is another comforting option to try.

How to Make Homemade Dumplings

After the timer has gone off, allow the pot to naturally release pressure.  Once the pressure has released, remove the lid once it is safe to do so. 

Press saute on the Instant Pot, add in rolled biscuits and cook for about 5-10 minutes.  While the dumplings are cooking, stir them in the pot to ensure they are being cooked evenly and to let the juices soak into the dumplings.

I often used canned biscuits.  I roll roughly 8 small biscuits out of each biscuit in the can.  Because they plump up while the dumplings are sauteing, larger biscuits will make the dumplings rather large.

A bowl of Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings garnished with fresh parsley.
Biscuit dumplings simmering in Instant Pot.

HOMEMADE DUMPLINGS

For ease, I like to use biscuits to make my dumplings, but you can use made-from-scratch dumplings if you prefer.  To make the dumplings you will need flour, salt, baking powder, salt, shortening, and milk.  

To make the dumplings:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoon shortening
  • ¾ cup of milk

Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Beat in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly.  Stir in the milk, then drop by spoonfuls into the Instant Pot while it is on Saute.

📖 Recipe

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings featured image.

Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings

Dana
This recipe for Chicken & Dumplings is made in the Instant Pot and it's the perfect dump and start meal for busy nights.  The chicken can be thrown in frozen or thawed and there are no time adjustments between the two! It works great as a freezer meal, too!
4.67 from 160 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 5 servings
Calories 368 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts - cubed (whole frozen breasts work well, too!)
  • 4 cups chicken broth or stock
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup carrots
  • 1 cup celery - chopped
  • 1 medium onion - diced
  • 2-3 russet potatoes - cubed
  • ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can refrigerated biscuits
  • fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Add 2 tablespoon butter to Instant Pot.
  • Lay cubed chicken breasts (or frozen breasts) in the Instant Pot and pour chicken stock over top of it.
  • Add in carrots, celery, onion, and potatoes.
  • Top with poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use a spoon to mix.
  • Place lid on Instant Pot and select the MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK setting and adjust to 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cut biscuits and roll into balls.
  • Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes.
  • Turn the setting to SAUTE on the Instant Pot and add in the balled biscuits and stir frequently for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1033mg | Potassium: 1244mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4573IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.

© Mama Needs Cake

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60 Comments

  1. Such a quick way to prepare dinner! Love it. I have a slow cooker but think it may be time to switch it out for an Insta pot!

  2. Ahhh using biscuits looks so much easier than trying to make them by hand! Never thought of that haha! I’ll be trying this recipe!!

  3. Oh my gosh this looks amazing. I hear so man that good things about the instant pot, but I dont peronally have one. This recipe looks so simple.

  4. This is similar to what I made last year, it’s so so so delicious. I love soup. Thank you for sharing this great recipe. I am sharing this to my social media if it’s okay?

  5. This looks wonderful! Perfect for a chilly winter dinner. I just bought an Instant Pot and may need to try this recipe. Thanks!

  6. I can’t wait to make this tonight! Just returned from the grocery store to get all of the ingredients. Thank you for the recipe!

  7. This is a fantastic recipe! Definitely going on my regular rotation of favorites! Loved the canned biscuits way to make dumplings!

  8. This is a fantastic recipe! Definitely going on my regular rotation of favorites! Loved the canned biscuits way to make dumplings!

  9. This looks so good! I’m planning on making it tonight. I’m new to using an instant pot. When it’s time to make the biscuits do i dump out the soup, press sauté and make the biscuits? Or do I press saute while the soup is in the pot and mix in the biscuits?
    Thanks!

  10. This looks great! I have 2 questions before I make it.

    Do you quick release the rest of the pressure after the 10 minute natural release?

    When using biscuits, do you roll out the biscuit before dividing it into smaller parts?

    1. Yes, once the 10 minutes is up, release any remaining pressure. For the biscuits, I just take a biscuit and slice it into sections. Then I roll them into balls. You can also pinch off pieces using your fingers. Hope this helps!

  11. Delicious recipe!! I made the dumplings out of biscuits but made them in smaller balls and they turned out the same as homemade. Will definitely make again!

  12. Made this tonight for the first time! Everything was going great until I hit sauté and the liquid cooked off so quickly that it wasn’t really a soup more of a medley of all the ingredients. What did I do wrong? It taste good - just not the right consistency!

    1. So strange! Maybe you had the saute setting up too high? With 4 cups of liquid in the pot, it shouldn't all cook off like that.

  13. I just finished eating the soup and it was amazing! I did follow your instructions on how to cook the biscuits in the sauté mode. It turned out great. I did add one can of low sodium cream of chicken soup. Also, I didn't have all of the spice ingredients, so I add Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute instead and it turn out well, Once served we all add cracked pepper.

  14. I just finished eating the soup and it was amazing! I did follow your instructions on how to cook the biscuits in the sauté mode. It turned out great. I did add one can of low sodium cream of chicken soup. Also, I didn't have all of the spice ingredients, so I add Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute instead and it turn out well, Once served we all add cracked pepper.

  15. This recipe is SO good! I added 1 TBSP of hot sauce and wow is all I can say. My husband and I loved it!

  16. This recipe is SO good! I added 1 TBSP of hot sauce and wow is all I can say. My husband and I loved it!

  17. I love making chicken and dumplings in the pressure cooker. The only thing I do differently is: I use Bisquick for the dumplings. After releasing the pressure as instructed, drop the dumpling dough by the spoonful over the top. Close the lid and set your cooker to steam (vent open) for 10 minutes. They come out nice and fluffy!

  18. Can’t wait to try this recipe tonight. One question do you cut the biscuits in 4’s or half and roll??

    1. I usually slice them into 8ths so they are small. It really doesn't matter though, whatever size you prefer. 🙂

  19. Does this freeze well with the potatoes? For some reason I thought you couldn't freeze potatoes, but could definitely be wrong! Looks delicious!

  20. I received an instant pot for Christmas and have been using it for almost every dinner in 2021 ? This recipe was a HUGE hit. I made it for my 3 young kids, husband, and young nephew one night and they ALL asked for seconds. I’m making it again tonight (about 2-3 weeks after the first time) and my husband is really looking forward to dinner. I haven’t told the kids, yet, in case they beg me to get started right now! Good thing it’s in the instant pot and doesn’t take long! Lol

  21. Chicken and dumplings are some of my family's favorite comfort food dinners. It's even better when made in the Instant Pot.

  22. I really like your use of canned biscuits as the dumplings in this recipe. Makes things go much quicker for us busy parents!!

  23. I love this recipe, I was actually thinking of what to make for tonight's dinner, and your chicken and dumplings are my answer! Terrific, thank you for the recipe!

  24. What a great idea to use canned biscuits for dumplings. Absolutely have to try that along with the rest of this recipe. Perfect for weeknights!

  25. Absolutely love my Instant pot for such easy to make dump and go recipes. This is such a convenient recipe loved by everyone at home.

  26. This was the perfect cozy meal! We’re getting hit with a ton of snow all weekend, and it was just what we needed. The dumplings were so tender and delicious, and it was super easy.

  27. This is the perfect weeknight cozy meal. I love chicken and dumplings but rarely make them because of how long they take. Making this in an Instant Pot is fantastic ! My new go to meal!

    1. If the chicken is frozen together in big chunks then adding 5 minutes would be a good idea. It does defrost while coming to pressure so it will take a little longer for the pot to be fully pressurized before cooking. Hope that helps!

    2. @Dana, I was also wondering if it’s going to take the pot a while to pressurize. I am cooking this right now and it’s taking a while to get to pressure. Also I left my chicken breasts whole. Is that okay?

      1. It can take time for it to come to pressure. There are 4 cups of broth in there so it will increase the time it takes to get to pressure. Also, if you happen to be using frozen chicken it will take a little longer than usual to come to pressure. This is my go-to when I forget to lay something out for dinner and I often throw the chicken breasts in whole and then shred with a fork after allowing it to naturally release pressure. I hope that helps!

  28. Looks good and I plan to try it but I’m wondering if there is any rough guesstimate of the weight if the chicken breasts and the potatoes?
    Thanks!!!!

  29. This is a full proof recipe as I had never made them before and my daughter-in-law absolutely loved this dish when I made it for her which she is an avid fan of this meal! thanks

  30. It's all about comfort food this fall so this is right up my alley. I love that it's made in the instant pot for convenience! Yay!

    1. You could freeze the dumplings but I would freeze them in layers of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

4.67 from 160 votes (150 ratings without comment)

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