We have a lot of chicken and dumplings leftover from our dinner last night. Is it okay to freeze them and reheat for another time? For how long can I keep it frozen? Our family loves chicken and dumplings so I want to stock some in the freezer, so we can cook them anytime.
Nothing compares to homemade chicken and dumplings prepared in the old fashioned way. This hearty meal is a classic comfort food for many families so it makes sense to want to set aside some for later.
Yes, one may freeze chicken and dumplings for consumption at a later time. Packaged dumplings are sold frozen in grocery stores to preserve freshness. Some people call chicken & dumplings a “Freezer Meal” because it’s typical to freeze and re-heat it later on. Freezing it can ensure its freshness for 3-4 months.
Can You Freeze Chicken and Dumplings?
It is common practice to freeze chicken and dumplings for later consumption. This process of freezing locks in the meal’s fresh flavors. The overall texture and taste of the meal are guaranteed to be still the same after freezing and reheating. Frozen chicken and dumplings can keep its freshness until 3-4 months.
When you decide to have chicken and dumplings again for your family dinner, remove it from the freezer. Place the soup in a large pot and bring it to a boil. As for the freezer bag with the dumplings, thaw it by placing it in a sink or a container with warm water.
Thawing the dumplings will carefully separate them from one another. After a few minutes, remove the dumplings from the bag and place them in a bowl. Here, carefully separate the dumplings by hand. If it’s still too frozen to separate, put it back in the warm water. Do not force the dumplings to separate as this may tear the wrapper apart, causing the fillings to fall out.
Once the dumplings are set, slide the dumplings into the boiling soup. Reduce the heat to medium fire and let it simmer for about ten minutes. Afterward, you are now set for another delicious and hearty meal.
Aside from reheating chicken and dumplings using a stovetop, you may also opt to reheat the dish using a microwave oven. Follow the same steps for thawing the dumplings. Then place the soup in a microwaveable bowl along with the thawed dumplings. Place the bowl inside the microwave oven and heat it for about five minutes, depending on your microwave’s settings.
Whether you use the stovetop or the microwave oven, it is quick and easy to reheat the frozen chicken and dumplings meals. When done right, freezing can lock in the taste and flavor, making it seem that they were just cooked a while ago.
How to Freeze Chicken and Dumplings
Freezing chicken and dumplings for your family’s dinner in the coming days is quick and easy. All you need is a medium-sized freezer bag and a clean airtight container to get you started.
- Remove the meal from heat and place it in a separate bowl. Let it cool to room temperature for about five minutes before proceeding. This is an important step so make sure to follow it diligently. It’s not advisable to freeze meals when it’s still hot or warm because this will increase the temperature of your freezer. This causes the food to take longer to freeze and other foods in the freezer to defrost.
- Next, carefully separate the dumplings from the soup and place them in the freezer bag. Make sure to push out as much air as possible from the bag.
- If your soup has chicken parts, place them into a different freezer bag. Again, push out as much air as possible from the bag. This action of pushing out the air can prolong freshness.
- For the soup, pour it into the airtight container and seal tightly.
- Store properly in the freezer. Make sure the airtight container is sealed tightly and that it is stored properly to avoid the soup from spilling in your freezer. Improper storage in the freezer is a hassle to clean up.
Those are the five steps you need to take note in freezing your chicken and dumpling meals.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Chicken And Dumplings?
Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra chicken and dumplings? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover chicken and dumplings:
- Make a soup – Chicken and dumpling soup is a great way to use up your leftovers. Just add the chicken and dumplings to some chicken broth, and you’ll have a delicious and hearty soup in no time.
- Make a casserole – Another great way to use up your chicken and dumplings is to make a casserole. Just combine the leftovers with some chopped vegetables, cheese, and spices, and you’ll have a delicious and easy meal.
- Use them as a topping – Chicken and dumplings make a great topping for salads, rice, or potatoes. Just add them on top of your favorite dish, and you’ll have a tasty and unique meal.
- Freeze them for later – If you’re not in the mood to eat your leftovers right away, you can always freeze them for later. Just place the chicken and dumplings in a freezer-safe container and they’ll be good for up to three months.
- Make mini pies – Chicken and dumpling pies are a fun and easy way to use up your leftovers. Just fill some miniature pie crusts with the chicken and dumplings, and you’ll have a delicious and adorable snack or appetizer.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover chicken and dumplings. Next time you find yourself with extra food, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Here are three suggested recipes to bring this hearty meal into a whole new level. You can try these out for your next family dinners. Nothing beats a recipe for a classic homemade chicken and dumplings. It takes the time to prepare but it’s worth it.
If you have little time to prepare but still want to give your family a delicious chicken and dumplings meal, check out this quick and easy recipe. This recipe takes less than an hour to prepare so it’s perfect for busy mothers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5UijTm5eaE
Want to give your chicken and dumplings a unique Asian twist? Try infusing a bit of the Japanese culture into your dumplings. This recipe captures the perfect way of preparing delicious Japanese dumplings:
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze chicken and dumplings. Frozen chicken and dumplings will last for 3-4 months in the freezer if stored properly. If you want to reheat them, there are two options: use a stovetop or microwave oven. Freezing also preserves texture which means your frozen meal will taste just as good after being heated up again. Follow these steps for freezing chicken and dumplings: remove the meal from heat, allow it to cool down before putting in the freezer bag, make sure you push out all of the air while sealing tightly (to avoid freezer burn), store properly, and label the bag with today’s date.