Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken breast: Diced pieces of chicken that provide the main protein for the dish.

Carrots: Sliced carrots add sweetness and color to the meal.

Celery: Sliced celery contributes a subtle crunch and flavor.

Onion: Diced onion adds depth and aroma to the dish.

Chicken broth: A flavorful liquid base that enhances the overall taste.

Frozen peas: Adds a pop of color and sweetness.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the dish.

Thyme: A herb that brings an earthy flavor to the meal.

All-purpose flour: Used to make the dumplings.

Baking powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become fluffy.

Milk: Adds moisture to the dumpling batter.

Butter: Melted butter adds richness to the dumplings.

When preparing the dumpling batter, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to dense and tough dumplings. Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together until just combined with the milk and melted butter. This will ensure your dumplings are light and fluffy.

• Chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable replacement in this dish.

• Carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a slightly sweeter taste but a similar texture when cooked, providing a comparable flavor and consistency.

• Celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel has a mild anise flavor that can add a unique twist while maintaining a similar crunchy texture.

• Onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweeter taste compared to onions, but they can still provide the necessary aromatic base.

• Chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used to maintain the liquid component and add a different but still savory flavor.

• Frozen peas - Substitute with edamame: Edamame offers a similar texture and a slightly nuttier flavor, making it a good alternative.

• Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• Black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different heat profile but can still provide the necessary spiciness.

• Thyme - Substitute with oregano: Oregano has a robust flavor that can complement the dish similarly to thyme.

• All-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds a slightly nuttier flavor and more fiber, making it a healthier alternative.

• Baking powder - Substitute with baking soda and cream of tartar: A combination of baking soda and cream of tartar can mimic the leavening effect of baking powder.

• Milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk can be used to maintain the liquid component while providing a dairy-free option.

• Butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar fat content and a slight coconut flavor, which can add a unique twist to the dish.

• 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 to an airtight container. For best results, use a container that is just the right size to minimize air exposure.

• If you plan to consume the leftovers within a few days, store the container in the refrigerator. The chicken and dumplings will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

• For longer storage, consider freezing. Place the chicken and dumplings in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Be sure to leave some space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion as the food freezes.

• Label the container or bag with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long the chicken and dumplings have been stored.

• When ready to eat, thaw the frozen chicken and dumplings in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor of the dish.

• Reheat the chicken and dumplings on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave, but be sure to stir halfway through to ensure even heating.

• If the dumplings have absorbed too much liquid and become too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

• Enjoy your reheated Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings as a comforting meal, just as delicious as when it was first made!

• For stovetop reheating:

  1. Transfer the leftover chicken and dumplings to a pot.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent sticking and to maintain moisture.
  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 the leftover chicken and dumplings in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover 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, then stir.
  4. Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

• 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 prevent drying out.
  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 maintain moisture.
  3. Set the Instant Pot to the sauté mode and heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

• Instant Pot: An electric pressure cooker used for sautéing, cooking under high pressure, and quick releasing pressure.

• Sauté mode: A function on the Instant Pot used to brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables.

• Mixing bowl: A bowl used to combine the flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter to make the dumpling batter.

• Measuring cups: Tools used to measure the ingredients like chicken broth, flour, milk, and vegetables accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure smaller quantities of ingredients like salt, pepper, and thyme.

• Wooden spoon: A utensil used for stirring the chicken and vegetables while sautéing and for mixing the dumpling batter.

• Knife: A tool used for dicing the chicken and chopping the vegetables.

• Cutting board: A surface used for cutting and preparing the chicken and vegetables.

• Oil: Used for cooking the chicken in the Instant Pot during the sautéing process.

• Lid: The cover of the Instant Pot that seals it for cooking under high pressure.

• Spoon: Used for dropping spoonfuls of dumpling batter onto the chicken mixture.

Prep ingredients in advance: Dice the chicken breast, slice the carrots, celery, and onion ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.

Use pre-cut vegetables: Purchase pre-sliced carrots, celery, and onion to save chopping time.

Instant pot settings: Familiarize yourself with the Instant Pot settings to quickly switch between sauté and pressure cooking modes.

Quick-release method: Use the quick-release method to release pressure from the Instant Pot immediately after cooking, saving time.

Pre-measure dry ingredients: Measure out the flour, baking powder, and salt for the dumplings ahead of time.