Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken breasts: Diced into bite-sized pieces, these provide the main protein for the dish.

Carrots: Sliced for added sweetness and color.

Celery: Adds a nice crunch and flavor.

Onion: Diced to enhance the overall taste.

Chicken broth: The base liquid that brings all the flavors together.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth.

Frozen peas: Added at the end for a pop of color and sweetness.

All-purpose flour: The main ingredient 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 sautéing the onions, carrots, and celery in the Instant Pot, make sure to cut them into uniform sizes. This ensures even cooking and enhances the overall texture of the dish. Additionally, when preparing the dumplings, avoid overmixing the batter to keep them light and fluffy.

• chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a suitable replacement.

• carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor but maintain a similar texture when cooked.

• celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel provides a slight anise flavor that can add a unique twist while maintaining a similar crunch.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter taste compared to onions.

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

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

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to maintain the peppery taste without altering the color of the dish.

• frozen peas - Substitute with edamame: Edamame provides a similar texture and a slightly nuttier flavor.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour can add a slightly nutty flavor and more fiber to the dish.

• 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 can be used to make the dish dairy-free while maintaining a similar consistency.

• butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar fat content and a subtle coconut flavor.

• Allow the Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the cooled chicken and dumplings into airtight containers. For best results, use containers that are the right size to minimize air space.
• Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness. This is especially useful if you plan to freeze the dish.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together, making it even more delicious.
• For longer storage, place the airtight containers in the freezer. The chicken and dumplings can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing much of its quality.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the frozen chicken and dumplings in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.
• Reheat the dish on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be sure to stir halfway through to distribute the heat.
• 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 if it were freshly made, savoring the comforting blend of tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings.

• For stovetop reheating, place the leftover chicken and dumplings in a saucepan over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent it from drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through, ensuring the dumplings remain intact.

• To reheat in the microwave, transfer the leftovers to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring gently between each interval, until the dish is thoroughly warmed.

• For an oven method, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover chicken and dumplings in an oven-safe dish. Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

• If you have an Instant Pot, you can use the sauté function to reheat. Add the leftovers to the pot and set to sauté on low. Stir occasionally until the dish is warmed to your liking. Add a bit of chicken broth if needed to maintain the desired consistency.

• For a slow cooker option, transfer the leftovers to the slow cooker and set it to low. Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the dish is thoroughly warmed. This method is great for maintaining the texture of the dumplings and vegetables.

• Instant Pot: This is the main cooking appliance used for both sautéing the vegetables and cooking the chicken and dumplings under pressure.

• Sauté function: A feature on the Instant Pot that allows you to sauté ingredients directly in the pot.

• 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: Useful for stirring the ingredients in the Instant Pot and mixing the dumpling batter.

• Knife: Needed for dicing the chicken and slicing the vegetables.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the chicken and vegetables.

• Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables in the Instant Pot.

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

• Quick release valve: A feature on the Instant Pot used to quickly release the pressure after cooking.

• Spoon: Used to drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the chicken mixture.

Prep ingredients ahead: Dice the chicken breasts, slice the carrots, celery, and onion in advance to save time during cooking.

Use pre-cooked chicken: Substitute with rotisserie chicken to skip the step of browning the chicken.

Frozen vegetables: Opt for a frozen vegetable mix that includes carrots, celery, and peas to reduce prep time.

Instant dumpling mix: Use a pre-made dumpling mix to quickly prepare the dumplings.

Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.