Adrianne's Chicken & Dumpling Casserole

This is my best friend from high school's favorite dish, and she hand wrote out the recipe for me before I left for college.  It smells amazing and has also become the favorite dish of one or two of my children.  I like it because I usually have the ingredients on hand, it's inexpensive, and tastes marvelous.  

PS, a tip on Peas:  Don't let the peas throw you (if you don't like peas), mostly you taste the basil gravy.  Another huge pointer if you think you don't like peas is to always buy "Petite" peas or "Baby" peas.  They are way more tender and sweet, don't have that pasty texture, and just look fresher and more appetizing.  Not all grocery stores carry them so you kind of have to pay attention.  Also, NEVER use canned peas.  Gross.  Frozen, always, or fresh. 

Adrianne's Chicken & Dumpling Casserole

In a large pot or frying pan, saute in 1T olive oil:

3-4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes (or you could add chunked up rotisserie chicken and skip this step, needs about 4 C of chicken total.)
When the chicken is mostly done, add:
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 C chopped celery
2 minced garlic cloves or 2 tsp garlic from a jar
1/4 C butter

Stir frequently to keep this from scorching.  Before the butter is all cooked down, add:
1/2 C flour.  Stir this in well to combine with the butter, making a roux (thickening sauce).

Now stir in:
4 C chicken broth (or 4 C water with 4 tsp chicken bouillon)
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp pepper
1 small pkg (10 oz) frozen green peas

Heat and stir occasionally until bubbling and thickened.

While this is heating up, quickly make the dumpling batter in a medium mixing bowl with a large spoon:
2 C bisquit mix (Bisquick)
1 tsp basil
Stir in enough milk until sticky texture


Pour your chicken/gravy/peas mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish.  Drop dumpling mix onto casserole by tablespoon until evenly distributed.  (The dumplings will expand while baking and rise to the top better.)

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until dumplings are golden brown.