Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: under 1 hour (including time to pressurize)
METHOD: Instant Pot
OTHER TOOLS: knife and cutting board
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 13

Instant Pot chicken and dumplings is the ultimate no-fuss comfort food for busy nights. Each spoonful is packed with juicy chicken, tender veggies, creamy broth, and fluffy, seasoned dumplings. This cozy, easy meal will warm you from the inside out!

white bowl of chicken and dumplings with gold spoon, another bowl of chicken and dumplings, instant pot and blue and white striped dish towel in background

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Enjoy a classic comfort food made even faster in the Instant Pot.
This traditional recipe uses simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients so you don’t have to plan too far in advance.
This is as fresh and homemade as it gets! Instead of shortcuts like canned biscuits, this version includes an easy dumpling dough that’s super quick to make.
When you need a family-friendly and filling one-pot meal, prep this in the Instant Pot for a delicious bowl that everyone will savor.
There are plenty of ways to make homemade chicken and dumplings, but this is my favorite method since it’s the easiest and it truly produces so much flavor in a short amount of time.
Chicken and dumplings is a perfect dish for chilly nights or when you need a cozy meal without a lot of cleanup!

Ingredients Needed

Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts – Both chicken cuts will work well in this recipe. I prefer using chicken thighs for a richer flavor due to the dark meat. They also tend to stay juicier when cooked in the broth.
Carrots – Finely diced carrots add a hint of sweetness and create homey chicken-soup-style flavor.
Celery – Celery, also finely diced, creates a well-rounded base and adds texture.
Herb and garlic seasoning – This is an excellent all-purpose blend that adds just the right combination of herbs to chicken and poultry dishes. You can also substitute your favorite all-purpose or poultry seasoning blend.
Chicken broth – Chicken broth infuses extra flavor into the chicken, veggies, and base.
Heavy cream – A little bit of heavy cream adds the perfect amount of richness and smoothness to the dish.
Dumpling dough – The seasoned dough is a simple mix of flour, baking powder, egg, milk, dried parsley, and salt. This creates a light mixture with some rise, and the parsley and salt add just enough flavor. (To keep this gluten-free, use a one-to-one or all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.)
Cornstarch slurry (optional) – Mix equal parts cornstarch with water to slightly thicken the broth and create a creamier texture, if desired.

*To make this recipe dairy-free, swap out the cream and milk for non-dairy substitutes.

ingredients in bowls to include small diced chicken, diced celery, carrots, dried parsley, seasoning, salt with spoon, egg, flour, baking powder, chicken broth, milk

How To Make Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Cut the chicken into tiny bite-sized pieces and add them to the Instant Pot.
Add carrots, celery, seasonings, and broth.

overhead view of instant pot containing diced chicken, with 2 bowls of sliced carrots and celery on side

overhead view of instant pot containing diced chicken, carrots and celery, with bowl of seasoning and glass measuring cup of chicken broth

Cover, seal, and set to high pressure for 12 minutes.
Allow 5-10 minutes for a natural pressure release, then quick release any remaining pressure.
Switch the pot to sauté mode and add the cream and cornstarch mixture (optional).

overhead view of instant pot containing diced chicken, carrots and celery, seasoning and chicken broth, with container of cornstarch and cream mixture on side

overhead view of instant pot containing diced chicken, carrots and celery, seasoning, chicken broth, cornstarch and cream mixture

Bring the contents to a simmer.
Mix together the remaining ingredients for the dough, stirring until just combined.

small bowl of flour and egg, dried parsley and container of milk on side

Drop dough mixture by the spoonfuls into simmering broth and cook for 4-7 minutes until dumplings are fully cooked.

overhead view of instant pot with cooked chicken with gold spoon of bread mixture over it, with bowl of bread mixture in background

Pro Tips

You can use frozen chicken thighs as well. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time and shred the thighs once done.
If you prefer a stew-like consistency, add the cornstarch slurry after pressure cooking and simmer briefly on sauté mode.
Be sure to add dairy products and thickeners after pressure cooking since this can ruin the results and affect the appliance’s function.
For a thinner, more brothy dish, omit the slurry and add a little extra broth at the end.
Let the dumpling dough rest while the chicken cooks so that it’s ready to drop into the pot immediately after cooking.
Dumplings are fully cooked if you can insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean. Be sure they are evenly sized so they cook at the same time, and keep an eye on them since they can overcook quickly.
The dumplings will float to the top and puff up as they cook. Avoid stirring them too much, or else they may fall apart.

overhead view of instant pot with chicken and dumplings

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Try bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks, and remove bones before serving.
For a creamier version, increase the amount of cream or stir in a small spoonful of cream cheese for a bit of tanginess at the end.
Add extra vegetables such as peas, corn, or green beans after pressure cooking to avoid overcooking.
Vary the seasoning with any herbs, salt, pepper, garlic, etc. that work with savory poultry dishes.
If you need dumplings in a pinch, you can use store-bought refrigerated biscuit dough; however, homemade dough adds better flavor and texture.
For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the dumplings, and be sure to check other ingredients for gluten content.

closeup of chicken and dumplings in large white spoon, over bowl of chicken and dumplings with gold spoon in background

How To Serve Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Serve a piping hot bowl of chicken and dumplings with a simple side salad or a fancier Wedge Salad with Herbed Buttermilk Dressing. To get every drop of rich, creamy broth, add slices of toasted bread or dinner rolls for dipping.

Top off each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cracked black pepper for garnish. And for an extra side of homestyle goodness, whip up an Air Fryer Peach Cobbler for dessert!

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals. The dumplings may continue to absorb liquid over time, causing the dish to thicken slightly. If needed, add extra broth or a splash of water when reheating.

Step-by-Step Video: How to Make Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings