Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings? Imagine succulent, fall-apart chicken, pillowy soft dumplings, and a deeply flavorful, aromatic broth, all cooked to perfection in a fraction of the traditional time. This isn’t just your favorite comfort food; it’s an elevated, faster, and even more delicious rendition, perfect for any night of the week.

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings: Your New Go-To Comfort Food Recipe

There’s something inherently heartwarming about a classic bowl of chicken and dumplings. It’s the kind of dish that transports you back to cozy kitchens and family gatherings, a true staple for chilly evenings or whenever you need a culinary hug. However, traditional recipes often demand significant time and effort, making them a challenge to whip up on busy weeknights. This is where the magic of the Instant Pot comes in, transforming a labor of love into an incredibly simple, speedy, and undeniably flavorful meal.

This Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is designed with efficiency and taste in mind. It streamlines the cooking process without sacrificing any of the rich, savory flavors you adore. Just a few simple steps, and your pressure cooker handles the rest, allowing you to enjoy a homemade meal with minimal fuss. While some purists might insist on entirely scratch-made components, my recipe incorporates smart shortcuts that deliver exceptional results. For instance, we leverage the convenience of store-bought refrigerated biscuit dough for our dumplings. Cooked directly in the savory broth, these biscuits absorb all the wonderful herby notes, transforming into incredibly soft, tender dumplings that taste surprisingly homemade. This simple hack is a game-changer for getting a wholesome, comforting dinner on the table even on your most hectic days.

The Instant Pot ensures the chicken emerges unbelievably tender, practically melting in your mouth, while the broth becomes a rich, deeply satisfying liquid gold infused with aromatic herbs and savory chicken flavor. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that will quickly become a cherished favorite in your family meal rotation. Get ready to redefine your comfort food experience!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Crafting the perfect Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings starts with a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the robust flavor profile of this comforting dish:

• Unsalted Butter: We opt for unsalted butter to give you full control over the dish’s overall saltiness. Cutting it into tablespoons ensures it melts quickly and evenly, creating a perfect base for sautéing your vegetables and infusing a rich, creamy flavor from the start.
• Celery, Yellow Onion, and Carrots (Mirepoix): This classic aromatic trio forms the foundational flavor of our chicken and dumplings. Sautéing them first unlocks their sweet and savory notes, building a complex depth. For those truly short on time, a pre-chopped mirepoix blend from your grocery store’s produce aisle is an absolute lifesaver. Alternatively, a quick pulse in a food processor can dice these veggies in seconds, making prep a breeze!
• Minced Garlic: Garlic adds an irresistible pungent aroma and flavor that perfectly complements the other ingredients. Freshly minced garlic is always preferred for its vibrant taste, but jarred minced garlic or using a garlic press can save precious minutes without compromising on that essential garlicky goodness.
• Gold Potatoes: These buttery potatoes are ideal for pressure cooking as they maintain their texture without turning mushy. A fantastic time-saving tip: there’s no need to peel them! Their tender skins cook down beautifully and add extra fiber and nutrients to the dish, making your prep even quicker.
• Dried Thyme, Parsley, and Rosemary: This herb trifecta is the heart of the dish’s aromatic profile, lending a warm, earthy, and herbaceous fragrance. A critical detail: ensure you use *crushed* dried rosemary. Regular, uncrushed rosemary leaves can be quite potent and might overpower the delicate balance of flavors in the dish. Crushing it releases its essence more gently.
• Chicken Bouillon Powder: This powerful ingredient is the secret to enhancing the chicken flavor, providing a concentrated savory boost that permeates the entire dish. A small amount goes a long way in enriching the broth.
• Chicken Broth: The liquid foundation of our dish! We recommend using a good-quality chicken broth (like Swanson®) for the best flavor, or opt for chicken stock for an even richer, deeper chicken essence. This ensures your dumplings absorb maximum flavor as they cook.
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: For incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken, thighs are the undisputed champion in pressure cooker recipes. Unlike chicken breasts, which can become dry and rubbery under high pressure, thighs remain succulent and easy to shred, infusing the broth with their rich flavor.
• Buttermilk Biscuits (Store-Bought Refrigerated Dough): This is our star shortcut for quick, fluffy dumplings. Pillsbury® Southern Homestyle Grands are a fantastic choice. The key is to cut each biscuit into small, roughly bite-sized pieces (about eight per biscuit) as they will puff up considerably during cooking. They absorb the broth’s flavors beautifully, creating perfect, soft dumplings in minutes.
• Heavy Cream: Added at the end, heavy cream is a game-changer for both flavor and texture. It introduces a luxurious creaminess, enriches the broth’s taste, and provides a delightful thickness that brings all the elements together. Don’t substitute for lower-fat alternatives if you want that truly decadent finish.
• Frozen Peas: These vibrant green peas are added at the very end to provide a pop of color, a touch of subtle sweetness, and an extra layer of texture. There’s no need to thaw them; they’ll warm through perfectly in the residual heat of the hot liquid.

Mastering Your Instant Pot: Essential Tips for Success

The Instant Pot is an incredible kitchen appliance, but understanding its nuances can elevate your cooking experience. Here are some crucial tips to ensure your Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings turn out perfectly every time:

• Beyond Cook Times: Understanding Pressure Cycles: While the Instant Pot undeniably speeds up cooking, it’s vital to remember that the “cooking time” listed in recipes (like our 9 minutes here) doesn’t include the time it takes for the pot to build pressure or release it. Pressure build-up can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the volume and temperature of the contents. Factor this into your total meal prep time to avoid unexpected delays.
• Size Matters: Choosing the Right Pot: For this specific recipe, a 6-quart Instant Pot is recommended. Using different sizes can significantly alter cooking times and liquid requirements. Smaller pots might not accommodate all ingredients, while larger ones could require more liquid to reach pressure effectively, potentially affecting the final texture and consistency of your dish.
• The Sealing Ring and Valve: Your Pressure Cooker’s Best Friends: Before every use, always double-check that the silicone sealing ring is properly seated in its track inside the lid. A displaced or damaged ring will prevent the pot from sealing, meaning pressure won’t build. Similarly, ensure the steam release valve is in the “Sealing” position (not “Venting”) before starting the cooking cycle. These small checks are critical for safe and effective pressure cooking.
• Natural vs. Quick Release: Knowing When to Vent:
  • Natural Pressure Release (NPR): This means allowing the Instant Pot to depressurize slowly on its own. It’s a gentler process, typically taking 10-25 minutes, and is ideal for dishes with large liquid volumes or delicate ingredients that benefit from a gradual decrease in pressure, such as soups or meats you want to be extra tender.
  • Quick Pressure Release (QPR): This involves manually opening the steam release valve to rapidly vent steam. It halts the cooking process quickly, preventing overcooking, especially for sensitive ingredients like chicken, which can become tough if subjected to residual heat for too long. For our chicken and dumplings, QPR is essential for keeping the chicken moist and tender.
• Avoiding the Dreaded “Burn” Signal: The “Burn” error message indicates that the pot’s bottom is overheating, usually due to insufficient liquid or food sticking. The Instant Pot needs enough liquid to generate steam and build pressure. To prevent this, always ensure you have the minimum liquid required by your model and scrape the bottom of the pot after sautéing to prevent anything from sticking.
• The Power of the Sauté Function: Don’t underestimate the sauté function! It allows you to brown meats and sauté vegetables directly in the Instant Pot liner before pressure cooking. This crucial step develops deeper, richer flavors, much like starting a dish in a traditional pot. For this recipe, I often start sautéing the mirepoix as I’m still dicing, maximizing efficiency and ensuring every layer of flavor is built from the ground up.

Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Achieving restaurant-quality Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings is simple with these expert tips:

1. Prioritize Quick Release for Tender Chicken: After the 9-minute pressure cooking cycle, employing a quick release for the pressure is paramount. Allowing the pot to naturally release pressure would continue to cook the chicken with residual heat, leading to overcooked, dry, or stringy meat. A quick release immediately stops the cooking process, ensuring your chicken thighs remain wonderfully juicy and tender.
2. Achieving the Perfect Broth Thickness: If, after cooking and adding the cream, you find your broth isn’t as thick as you prefer, don’t fret! You can easily remedy this. Create a simple slurry by whisking together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water until smooth. With the Instant Pot set to “Sauté” (or on a stovetop if you’ve transferred the contents), slowly stir the slurry into the simmering broth until it reaches your desired consistency. It will thicken almost immediately.
3. Ensuring Perfectly Cooked Dumplings: The cooking time for your dumplings can vary slightly depending on the brand, thickness, and type of refrigerated biscuit dough you use. After the pressure cooking cycle, gently check a dumpling or two to ensure they are cooked through and fluffy. If they seem doughy or undercooked, simply set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function, and let them cook gently in the hot broth for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they reach the perfect soft texture.
4. Dairy Caution: When to Add Cream: A crucial rule for pressure cooking is to add dairy *after* the pressure cooking cycle is complete. Dairy products, especially heavy cream, can curdle or separate under the intense heat and pressure of an Instant Pot. By stirring in the heavy cream at the end, after the pressure has been released, you ensure a smooth, luscious, and perfectly integrated creamy broth without any undesirable texture issues.
5. Embrace Chicken Thighs for Superior Results: While you might be tempted to use chicken breasts, for this specific Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are highly recommended. Their higher fat content ensures they remain incredibly juicy and tender even under pressure, and they shred effortlessly. This fat also renders into the broth, adding significant richness and depth of flavor. During our recipe testing, chicken breasts consistently yielded a drier, less flavorful result, so stick with thighs for the absolute best, most succulent outcome.

What to Serve Alongside Your Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

While a hearty bowl of Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings is a complete meal in itself, pairing it with a simple side dish can enhance the dining experience by offering contrasting textures and flavors. Here are some delightful suggestions:

1. Fresh Green Salad: A crisp, vibrant garden salad provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich and creamy nature of the chicken and dumplings. Opt for mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light, tangy vinaigrette. For an elevated touch, consider adding toppings like toasted sliced almonds, dried cranberries, or crumbled goat cheese for extra texture and flavor.
2. Simple Roasted Vegetables: Complement the savory main course with bright, slightly caramelized roasted vegetables. Favorites like green beans, tender asparagus, or earthy Brussels sprouts are excellent choices. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and provides a lovely textural contrast to the soft dumplings and chicken. A drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper is often all they need.
3. Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls: Even with the dumplings, there’s nothing quite like having some extra bread to sop up every last drop of that incredible, flavorful broth. A rustic, crusty no-knead bread or warm, fluffy dinner rolls are perfect for this. Their texture and ability to absorb the rich liquid make them an ideal accompaniment.
4. Light Fruit Salad: For a refreshing palate cleanser, especially after a hearty meal, a simple fruit salad is a wonderful choice. Combine seasonal fruits like berries, melon, grapes, and citrus segments for a bright, sweet finish that balances the savory flavors.
5. Sweet Cornbread: The subtle sweetness and crumbly texture of a classic cornbread offers a delightful contrast to the savory, herbaceous chicken and dumplings. It’s a particularly fitting Southern-inspired pairing that enhances the overall comfort food experience.

Explore More Instant Pot Favorites: Quick & Easy Meal Ideas

If you love the convenience and speed of Instant Pot cooking, you’ll be thrilled to discover these other fantastic recipes that transform everyday meals into effortless culinary delights:

• Instant Pot Spaghetti with Italian Sausage: A family-friendly classic, made incredibly fast with minimal cleanup.
• Beef and Noodles: The Ultimate Comfort Food: Tender beef and perfectly cooked noodles in a rich, savory gravy – pure nostalgic bliss.
• Hearty Taco Chili with Ground Beef and Beans: A spicy, satisfying chili that’s perfect for game day or a cozy night in, adaptable for Instant Pot or slow cooker.
• Creamy Instant Pot Risotto with Sweet Peas: Achieve perfectly creamy risotto without constant stirring, a sophisticated side or light main.
• Instant Pot Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots: A classic beef stew, deeply flavorful and tender, cooked in a fraction of the time.

Recipe adapted from Margin Making Mom.

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

By Chelsea Lords

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings deliver incredibly tender chicken, light, fluffy dumplings, and savory herbs swimming in a rich, tasty broth. It’s the ultimate comfort food, made faster and bursting with even more flavor!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes

Total Time: 29 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

• Instant Pot (6-quart)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
• 1 cup diced celery
  (Note 1: For a shortcut, use a pre-diced mirepoix blend or quickly dice in a food processor.)
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1-1/2 cups diced baby gold potatoes, unpeeled
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  (Note 2: Thighs offer superior juiciness and flavor compared to breasts in pressure cooking.)
• 5 buttermilk biscuits, each cut into 8 pieces
  (Note 3: Store-bought refrigerated biscuit dough is a great shortcut; Pillsbury® Southern Homestyle Buttermilk biscuits are recommended. Cut small as they will puff up.)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
  (Note 4: Essential for richness and thickening; add after pressure cooking to prevent curdling.)
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Begin by dicing the celery, yellow onion, carrots, and potatoes, and mincing the garlic.
2. When you are about halfway through dicing your vegetables, press the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot. Add the butter and begin to add the diced vegetables as you finish chopping them. Continue to sauté, stirring occasionally, until all the vegetables are in the pot and slightly softened. Then, turn off the sauté function.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the Instant Pot, with the exceptions of the biscuits, heavy cream, and frozen peas. Ensure the chicken thighs are fully submerged in the liquid and arranged in a single layer to cook evenly.
4. Take each of the buttermilk biscuits and cut them into eight smaller, bite-sized pieces. Gently place these biscuit pieces on top of the other ingredients in the Instant Pot, creating an even layer. Do not press them down into the liquid.
5. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing ring is properly in place and the steam release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” function and set it to high pressure for 9 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully turning the steam release valve to the “Venting” position. Once all the steam has escaped and the float valve drops, you can safely remove the lid.
6. Gently push the cooked biscuits to one side of the pot. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a cutting board. Dice or shred the chicken, discarding any excess fat.
7. After removing the chicken, add the heavy cream and frozen peas to the Instant Pot. Stir gently to combine. Place the lid back on the pot (without sealing or turning it on) for a few minutes while you finish preparing the chicken; this allows the peas to warm through and the cream to integrate without overcooking. Return the diced or shredded chicken to the pot, stir everything together, and add additional fresh parsley for garnish if desired.
8. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary. Ladle the hot chicken and dumplings into individual bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy your comforting, homemade meal!

Recipe Notes

Note 1 (Mirepoix Shortcut): To save prep time, consider purchasing a pre-diced mirepoix blend from your grocery store. Alternatively, a food processor can quickly dice the celery, onion, and carrots for you.

Note 2 (Chicken Choice): Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are highly recommended for this recipe. They stay wonderfully juicy and tender under pressure, providing richer flavor and a better texture than chicken breasts, which can become dry.

Note 3 (Biscuit Dumplings): Refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough (such as Pillsbury® Southern Homestyle Buttermilk biscuits) is a fantastic shortcut. Remember to cut each biscuit into 8 small pieces as they will expand significantly during cooking.

Note 4 (Heavy Cream): Heavy cream is crucial for the rich flavor and creamy texture of the broth. Always add it after the pressure cooking cycle to prevent curdling.

Storage: Store any leftover Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Always reheat thoroughly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 577kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 168mg | Sodium: 1420mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.