This Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe 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 also makes a great freezer dump-and-go meal!!
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
This is a recipe that I have been making for my family for many years on the stove-top. After converting my recipe to the Instant Pot, I have never made it on the stovetop again. It's quick, super easy, and there's no babysitting the stove.
Ingredients in Chicken and Dumplings
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- these can be diced, chopped, thrown in whole and shredded later or even completely frozen
- Chicken broth
- Butter
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Russet potatoes
- Poultry seasoning
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Canned biscuits (or homemade - recipe for them lower in the post)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Dump and Start Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Have you ever had an evening where you realized you forgot to lay out any meat to thaw for dinner? I do it all the time!
One of my favorite things about the Instant Pot is the ability to add frozen meats to the meal and still have it perfectly cooked when the time is up.
When pressure cooking poultry, or any meat for that matter, it's important to allow the meat pot to naturally release pressure.
This allows the meat to stay juicy and tender. If you quickly release the pressure it actually sucks out the moisture and it gives the meat a tough, rubbery texture.
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.
Related: Instant Pot Chicken & Gnocchi (Olive Garden Copycat)
Diced or Whole Chicken Breast
This is really up to you. If you prefer your chicken to be diced into bite-sized pieces, do it! I actually make it both ways depending on whether or not I am using frozen chicken breasts or not.
It can also be frozen the same way, simply dice up the chicken and add it to the freezer bag, shape it to the size of your Instant Pot for easy dumping, and freeze!
Adding Ingredients to the Instant Pot
Making this Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings recipe is so simple. After dicing the veggies and cubing the chicken, you just dump it all into the pot along with the seasonings and broth. Set your Instant Pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 15 minutes.
Super Simple 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.
Delicious Hearty Meal for the Family
As a result, this recipe is a moist, delicious, and flavorful hearty meal that your family will love. Due to the simplicity of this meal, it's certainly a regular in rotation in our home. You just can't beat a meal that tastes this good and that is so quick to make!
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 and drop by spoonfuls into the Instant Pot when it is on Saute.
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings
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
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
You May Also Like:
- Instant Pot White Cheddar Jack Mac N Cheese
- Mini Chicken Pot Pies with Puff Pastry
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Easy Instant Pot Taco Soup
Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
Ghada says
This looks pretty easy to make! Love it!
I’ll give it a try soon!
Thanks for sharing it
Jamie says
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!
Ashley says
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!!
Tiara says
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.
LeeAnn says
I just made crockpot chicken and dumplings last night for dinner!
LeeAnn says
I just made crockpot chicken and dumplings last night for dinner!
Anna says
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?
Dana says
Absolutely! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Nicole | The Professional Mom Project says
This looks wonderful! Perfect for a chilly winter dinner. I just bought an Instant Pot and may need to try this recipe. Thanks!
joy says
glad this was in your sidebar… going to pin this for a cold night in! THANKS ?
Joy at The Joyous Living
Jennifer says
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!
Jen says
If you use frozen , do you pull it out to chop up after depressurization?
Dana says
Yes, when I make it often from frozen and that is what I do. It breaks up easily.
Sharon says
This is a fantastic recipe! Definitely going on my regular rotation of favorites! Loved the canned biscuits way to make dumplings!
Sharon says
This is a fantastic recipe! Definitely going on my regular rotation of favorites! Loved the canned biscuits way to make dumplings!
Courtney says
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!
Dana says
Hi Courtney! You add the biscuits in while the soup is in the Instant Pot and it's on Saute. 🙂
Shari says
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?
Dana says
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!
Nicole Hoxie says
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!
Jordan Donovan says
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!
Dana says
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.
Amanda says
Can’t wait to make it! When you put it on sauté, do you sauté it with the lid on or off?
Dana says
Saute with the lid off 🙂
Diane says
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.
Diane says
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.
Liz says
Just made this. Absolutely delicious! And honestly, so easy. Will be making this all the time.
Liz says
Just made this. Absolutely delicious! And honestly, so easy. Will be making this all the time.
Dana says
What size is your instant pot? I have a 3-quart one. Do I have to cut the recipe at all? Thanks!
Emily says
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!
Emily says
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!
Carolyn says
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!
Dana says
Made this tonight, it was very good. Will make again ?
Toni Marie says
Can’t wait to try this recipe tonight. One question do you cut the biscuits in 4’s or half and roll??
Dana says
I usually slice them into 8ths so they are small. It really doesn't matter though, whatever size you prefer. 🙂
Mary says
Do you cook on low or high pressure? New to instant pot but very excited to make this!
Dana says
Hi Mary!
You cook on High Pressure. Enjoy your Instant Pot and this recipe! 🙂
Julie says
Does this freeze well with the potatoes? For some reason I thought you couldn't freeze potatoes, but could definitely be wrong! Looks delicious!
Dana says
Hi Julie!
I've never had any issues freezing the potatoes with this meal. They come out just fine!
Rachel says
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
Sharon says
Chicken and dumplings are some of my family's favorite comfort food dinners. It's even better when made in the Instant Pot.
Tristin @ Home Cooked Harvest says
I really like your use of canned biscuits as the dumplings in this recipe. Makes things go much quicker for us busy parents!!
Jenny says
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!
Jacqueline Debono says
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!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
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.
amycaseycooks says
I love trying new Instant Pot recipes and this comfort food recipe is tops on my list ~ thanks!
Amanda Dixon says
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.
Addison says
I love my Instant Pot! I love how quick and easy this dumpling recipe is. These flavors are amazing!
Debbie says
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!
Allison says
If the chicken is frozen, should I cook it for longer? How long? Thanks!
Dana says
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!
Amanda says
@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?
Dana says
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!
Elizabeth says
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!!!!
Claudia Lamascolo says
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
Natalie says
Perfect winter dish. Looks healthy and delicious. Easy to make too. I'm definitely saving this recipe.
Gail Montero says
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!
Swathi says
This chicken and dumplings looks delicious I like that it is made with instant pot.
Dani says
If I want to prep this and freeze in advance, can the handmade dumplings be frozen too?
Dana says
You could freeze the dumplings but I would freeze them in layers of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.