Picture this: It’s Wednesday night, you’re exhausted, but your stomach is growling for something cozy and satisfying. That’s exactly when I whip out my irresistible one pan dumpling bake recipe – the ultimate solution for busy weeknights. Trust me, this dish has saved me more times than I can count!

What makes this recipe so special? It’s everything you love about fluffy dumplings and savory chicken stew, but all made in one pan with minimal fuss. The magic happens when golden dumplings soak up all those delicious juices while baking. My family goes wild for this meal, and I bet yours will too.

The best part? You probably have most ingredients already in your pantry. Just toss everything together, pop it in the oven, and voilà – dinner’s ready in under an hour with barely any cleanup. This has become my go-to comfort food when I want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This One Pan Dumpling Bake

This recipe checks all the boxes for the perfect weeknight dinner. Here’s why it’s become a staple in my kitchen:

One pan wonder: Minimal cleanup means more time to relax after dinner. No juggling multiple pots and pans – everything cooks together beautifully in a single skillet.
Comfort in every bite: Fluffy dumplings soaking up that savory broth? Absolute perfection. The aroma alone will have your family gathered in the kitchen before it’s even done.
Quick and easy: From fridge to table in under an hour, even on your busiest days. The simple steps make it foolproof – I’ve made this half-asleep and it still turns out amazing!
Endlessly adaptable: Use whatever veggies you have on hand or swap proteins based on what’s in your fridge. It’s forgiving and flexible, just like your favorite pair of sweats.

Ingredients for the Irresistible One Pan Dumpling Bake

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy masterpiece – I promise it’s all simple stuff you might already have:

2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, don’t pack it!)
1 tbsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh for fluffy dumplings)
1/2 tsp salt (I use kosher for better flavor distribution)
1 cup milk (whole milk makes the fluffiest dumplings)
2 tbsp melted butter (salted or unsalted both work here)
1 lb ground chicken (or leftover rotisserie chicken works great)
1 onion, diced (yellow or white – whatever’s in your pantry)
2 carrots, chopped (about 1/4-inch pieces so they cook evenly)
2 celery stalks, chopped (don’t skip these – they add great texture)
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder in a pinch)
1 tsp dried thyme (fresh is lovely if you have it – use 1 tbsp)
4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium lets you control the seasoning)
Salt and pepper to taste (I’m generous with the black pepper!)

Essential Equipment

You won’t need fancy gadgets for this one – just a few basic tools:

10-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron works magic here!)
Mixing bowl (medium size for the dumpling dough)
Wooden spoon (my trusty sidekick for stirring)
Measuring cups/spoons (for those perfect ratios)

That’s it – see how simple this is? No special equipment required!

How to Make the Irresistible One Pan Dumpling Bake

Alright, let’s get cooking! This recipe comes together so easily – just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a comforting meal ready in no time. I’ve broken it down into three foolproof phases that even my teenager can manage (and trust me, that’s saying something!).

Preparing the Dumpling Dough

First things first – let’s whip up those fluffy dumplings. In your mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Give it a quick whisk to distribute everything evenly. Now pour in the milk and melted butter, stirring just until the dough comes together. Don’t overmix! A few lumps are totally fine – they’ll disappear during baking. Set this aside while we work on the filling.

Cooking the Savory Filling

Heat your skillet over medium heat and add the ground chicken. Break it up with your wooden spoon as it cooks – we want nice, even crumbles. Once it’s no longer pink (about 5 minutes), toss in the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Oh, that aroma already smells like home! Cook these until the veggies soften slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Now stir in the thyme, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Let this simmer for about 3 minutes – you want those flavors to start mingling beautifully.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Here comes the fun part! Drop spoonfuls of your dumpling dough right onto the simmering mixture – I like to use a tablespoon for evenly sized dumplings. Pop the whole skillet into your preheated 375°F oven and bake for 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the dumplings turn a gorgeous golden brown and have nearly doubled in size. The filling should be bubbling happily around them. Oh, and that heavenly smell filling your kitchen? That’s your cue that dinner is ready!

Tips for the Perfect One Pan Dumpling Bake

After making this recipe countless times (sometimes successfully, sometimes… not so much), I’ve learned a few tricks that guarantee perfect results every time:

Handle the dough gently: Overmixing makes tough dumplings. Stir just until combined – lumps are your friends here!
Keep the broth simmering: When adding dumplings, the liquid should be bubbling gently. This helps them cook evenly from the start.
Resist peeking: That oven door is like a siren song, but keep it closed! Opening it releases heat and can make your dumplings dense. For more general baking science tips, you can check out resources on baking science.

Bonus tip: If your dumplings look pale after baking, pop them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes for extra golden perfection!

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

The beauty of this recipe is how easily you can adapt it to what you’ve got! Here are my favorite swaps that still deliver amazing results:

Protein: Ground turkey works beautifully, or use shredded rotisserie chicken for quicker prep. Vegetarian? Try mushrooms or chickpeas!
Broth: Vegetable broth keeps it meat-free, while beef broth adds deeper flavor. Water works in a pinch – just add extra seasoning.
Veggies: Swap in peas, green beans, or sweet potatoes – whatever’s wilting in your fridge needs love too!

See? This recipe practically begs for creativity! If you are looking for other easy weeknight meals, check out this caramelized onion parmesan chicken bake recipe.

Serving and Storing Your Dumpling Bake

This cozy dumpling bake is practically a meal on its own, but I love serving it with a crisp green salad or some steamed greens for extra freshness. The contrast of textures is just perfect! Leftovers? No problem – just transfer cooled portions to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave with a splash of broth to keep everything moist. Trust me, it tastes even better the next day when all those flavors have really gotten to know each other!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (values are estimates; they’ll vary based on your specific ingredients and brands):

Calories: 420
Protein: 25g
Carbs: 45g
Fat: 15g

Remember – comfort food is meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over!

Common Questions About One Pan Dumpling Bakes

Over the years, I’ve gotten tons of questions about this recipe from friends and family (and even a few panicked texts from my sister mid-cooking!). Here are the answers to the most common ones:

Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Let the dumpling bake cool completely, then transfer portions to freezer-safe containers. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently in the oven with a splash of broth to revive the dumplings’ fluffiness.

Why did my dumplings turn out dense?
This usually happens from overmixing the dough or opening the oven too often. Remember – lumps are good! And resist that temptation to peek – trust the process. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh – it loses potency over time.

Can I make this vegetarian?
You bet! Swap the chicken for mushrooms or chickpeas, use vegetable broth, and add extra herbs for flavor. The dumplings will still be just as fluffy and delicious. My vegetarian neighbor swears by this version! For another great vegetarian option, check out this air fryer stuffed mushrooms vegetarian recipe.

35-Minute Irresistible One Pan Dumpling Bake for Busy Nights

Author: Ella Parker
Total Time: 45 mins
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Low Lactose

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Description

A simple one-pan dumpling bake that combines fluffy dumplings with a savory filling for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 tbsp melted butter
1 lb ground chicken
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
4 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter to form a dough.
In a large oven-safe skillet, brown the ground chicken over medium heat.
Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened.
Stir in thyme, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough onto the simmering mixture.
Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 25 minutes or until dumplings are golden.
Serve warm.

Notes

Use leftover rotisserie chicken if preferred.
Swap vegetables based on what you have available.
For extra richness, add a splash of cream to the broth.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: one pan, dumpling bake, easy dinner, chicken dumplings