Can you freeze chicken and dumplings? This beloved comfort food doubles as a great freezer meal—learn how easy it is to freeze this classic American dish.
Freeze-ability Index
How Long in Freezer
3 to 4 months
Best Stored In…
Airtight container, Mason Jar, or freezer bag
How to Thaw
Refrigerator or cold water
What to Expect
No change
Does Chicken and Dumplings Freeze Well?
To say chicken and dumplings freeze well is an understatement! It’s a popular freezer meal that lots of folks cook up and preserve in batches for a quick, comforting dinner on a chilly day.
Can You Freeze Chicken And dumplings In Mason Jars?
Chicken and dumplings can be safely frozen in Mason jars. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to freeze food in Mason Jars. This guide will help you avoid broken glass in your freezer and a ruined batch of chicken and dumplings.
How To Freeze Chicken And Dumplings In A Container or Mason Jar
Equipment
- Clean airtight, freezable container OR a Mason Jar
- A wide-mouth funnel (optional for the Mason jar)
- A ladle
- Freezer labels
- A permanent marker
- Space at the back of your freezer
Instructions
- Let the chicken and dumplings come to room temperature. If you put hot soup straight into the freezer, the container can break because of a dramatic change in temperature, especially if you're using a Mason Jar.
- Fill the container or Mason Jar with chicken and dumplings. Important: leave 1 to 2 inches of room at the top of the container or Mason Jar to let the broth expand. Optional: use a wide-mouth funnel to make it way easier to fill your Mason jar.
- Close the container, sealing it tightly. For Mason Jars, screw on the lid but leave it loose to tighten later.
- Write today’s date on a freezer label and stick it to the container.
- Store the container at the back of the freezer. Avoid putting the container in the freezer door, which isn’t as cold as the rest of the freezer.
The Best Airtight Meal Prep Containers (FineDine)
• Over 2,700 Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
These airtight glass containers from FineDine don’t leak or absorb food smells, they’re oven-safe, freezer-safe, microwavable, and affordable.
How To Freeze Chicken and Dumplings In A Freezer Bag
Equipment
- A ladle
- Resealable, plastic freezer bags
- Freezer labels
- A permanent marker
- Space at the back of your freezer
Instructions
- Let the chicken and dumplings come to room temperature.
- Fill the freezer bag with chicken and dumplings.
- Gently squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it. Place this bag into another freezer bag, just in case.
- Write today’s date on a freezer label and stick it to the bag. Store the bag at the back of your freezer.
Equipment Shopping List
I made this quick list for you in case you noticed that you were low on freezer bags or realized it was time for a new ladle (as I always say, every day, give yourself a present!)
I’ve either used these tools or added them to my own shopping list because they’re affordable and they get great reviews. Add them to your next Amazon order!
The Best Ladle (OXO)
• Over 3,900 Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
• Dishwasher safe & comfortable grip
The Ultimate Freezer Bags (Hefty)
• Over 2,000 Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
• Tough and easy to fill
The Handiest Freezer Labels (Chinco)
• Hundreds of Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
• Water-resistant, easy to remove, no residue
The Best Wide-Mouth Funnel (Progressive)
• Over 1,600 Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
• Fits all jars, dishwasher-safe
Freezing chicken And dumplings – How long In The Freezer?
You can keep chicken and dumplings in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.
How to Thaw Frozen chicken And dumplings
Slow defrosting is the best way to thaw frozen chicken and dumplings. This helps the dumplings to retain their shape and stop them from becoming mushy.
If you’re short on time, you can cook this meal directly. But beware—your dumplings may fall apart.
How To Defrost Chicken and Dumplings
Equipment
- A plate OR a towel
Instructions
- Place the container, Mason jar, or freezer bag of frozen chicken and dumplings on a plate or towel, and put it into the refrigerator.
- Leave it to thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Once defrosted, take the thawed chicken and dumplings out of the fridge, pour it into a pot or skillet, and gently reheat over the stove.
How To Defrost Frozen Chicken and Dumplings In Cold Water
Equipment
- A large bowl OR the sink
- Cold water (not warm or hot)
Instructions
- Remove the freezer bag or container from the freezer and place the whole thing into a bowl/sink.
- Fill the bowl or sink with cold water—it can't be warm or hot. Let the container or plastic bag sit in the cold water bath for 30 minutes.
- After the 30 minutes has elapsed, check on the chicken and dumplings. If they still seem frozen, replace the water with fresh cold water and let them defrost for another 30 minutes. Repeat this until the chicken and dumplings are defrosted, up to a maximum of 2 hours total.
What to Expect After Defrosting chicken And dumplings
The texture and taste of chicken and dumplings will not change if you defrost them the refrigerator. You’d never know they were frozen in the first place due to the slow thaw in the fridge.
Quickly defrosting chicken and dumplings over the stove may cause the dumplings to become mushy.
Can chicken & dumplings Be Refrozen?
You can only refreeze chicken and dumplings if they’re re-frozen within 24 hours of defrosting and kept refrigerated at all times.
However, the dumplings will lose their firmness and continue to disintegrate every time you re-freeze and thaw them.
Ok, But What About…
Do you know a better way for freezing chicken and dumplings? Or are you looking for info on something else? Leave a comment below or email us—we’d love to hear from you!
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