Quick Chicken and Dumplings

By Alexa Weibel

Updated October 27, 2025

  • Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(4,169)
Comments
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This is the perfect soup for when you’re craving chicken and dumplings, but not quite up to the task of making the traditional dish. Store-bought rotisserie chicken and gnocchi live their best lives here, simmered in a comforting broth of chicken stock and heavy cream seasoned with rosemary and thyme. Leeks, carrots and celery are standard, but butternut squash, parsnips, mushrooms, fennel or shallots are worthy additions. Simply sauté your aromatics and vegetables, simmer with some chicken stock and cream, stir in the chicken and gnocchi, and dinner is done in 20 minutes from start to finish.

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Ingredients

Yield: 4 to 6 servings (about 9 cups)

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 medium carrots or 8 ounces butternut squash, peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces (about 1 cup)

  • 1 medium leek, trimmed, white and pale green portion halved lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 1 cup)

  • 2 medium celery stalks, peeled and sliced ½-inch thick (about ⅔ cup)

  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)

  • Kosher salt and black pepper

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 5 cups chicken stock

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 (16-ounce) package fresh or shelf-stable store-bought gnocchi

  • ½ small (3-pound) store-bought rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded, meat torn into bite-size pieces (about 2 cups shredded meat)

  • Fresh tarragon, parsley or dill, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 to 6 servings)

58 grams carbs; 156 milligrams cholesterol; 691 calories; 13 grams monosaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 18 grams saturated fat; 39 grams fat; 1 gram trans fat; 6 grams fiber; 1439 milligrams sodium; 31 grams protein; 9 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large pot, melt the butter over medium. Add the carrots, leek, celery, garlic, rosemary, thyme and poultry seasoning, if using. Season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are slightly softened, about 5 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Sprinkle with the flour, then cook, stirring, 2 minutes. (This cooks the flour to soften its raw flavor.) Gradually stir in the stock and cream, and bring to a boil over high heat.

  3. Step 3

    Once the mixture boils, stir in the gnocchi, reduce the heat to medium and cook until gnocchi and vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken in the last couple of minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and top with fresh tarragon and more black pepper, if desired.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
4,169 user ratings
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Comments

TP in the 6

Made this tonight, no revisions, and it was delicious. Next time I'll reduce the stock by one cup for a version that's a little less brothy and even more hearty. Of course, one must always take the time given (20 min) as fantasy.

Emma

Made this recipe as a way to use up rotisserie chicken from earlier in the week. I really, really enjoyed this soup! Added frozen peas and extra carrot and used whole milk rather than heavy cream to make it ever so slightly healthier. It was very tasty and so, so fast.

Ohiofem

This is similar to the chicken and gnocchi soup at Olive Garden. I’ve been making a homemade version of that that’s much better. The main difference compared to this recipe is that I use homemade chicken stock and homemade ricotta gnocchi. I also add some spinach just before serving. We love to top it with grated Parmesan. It’s a favorite in my family.

Tory Davis

Had no heavy cream or milk left, so added a 1/2 cup of leftover gravy! Delicious! And it only took 20 minutes... After 1 hour of prep, that is. (And I'm fast! But taking meat off a chicken and shredding it isn't quick.) I used to work for a national food magazine, and it felt like a cheat: Sure, it only takes 20 minutes once you've got mise en place, but we won't give you a sense of how long the mise takes. Folks have different skill levels, sure, but still. Great use of purchased gnocchi.

Terry

Added extra carrot but otherwise followed recipe. Wow! So good! Will repeat but use half and half to cut back on the fat.

JonnyB

Made this in my Ninja PossibleCooker Pro and let it simmer for a little while to really meld the flavors. I chose to add red pepper flakes with the vegetables to give it a little warmth. Wow! Super easy and comforting. Will be making this again for sure.

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