Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until they become translucent.
- Stir in the 2 tablespoons of flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Gradually pour in the chicken broth and milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it thicken. This will create a creamy sauce.
- Add the diced or shredded chicken, mixed vegetables, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to the sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Pour the chicken and vegetable mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a separate bowl, prepare the dumpling batter. Combine 1 cup of flour, baking powder, and salt. Then, stir in the 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of melted butter to form a sticky dumpling dough.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the casserole dish. You can leave some gaps for the dumplings to expand while baking.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the dumplings are golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your homemade chicken dumpling casserole! This dish is a comforting, hearty meal that’s perfect for cold or cozy nights. Feel free to customize it by adding your favorite herbs and spices or by using different vegetables to suit your taste.