Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, bringing together tender pieces of chicken, pillowy dumplings, and a creamy, aromatic broth that’s just begging to be ladled into bowls. Every bite feels like a warm hug from the inside out, with hearty vegetables and herbs weaving together unforgettable layers of flavor. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dinner or trying to impress guests with a classic Southern favorite, this dish has a magical way of making everyone feel right at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

When it comes to Chicken and Dumplings, simple pantry staples transform into something truly special. Each ingredient plays its own important role, from building a deeply flavorful broth to creating those fluffy, irresistible dumplings.

• Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are especially juicy, but breasts work well for a leaner option.
• Olive Oil or Butter: Adds richness and helps develop a golden base for the veggies and chicken.
• Onion: Chopped onion brings sweetness and depth to the broth.
• Carrots: Their natural sweetness and vibrant color brighten up the stew.
• Celery: A classic aromatic that infuses the broth with subtle flavor.
• Garlic: Minced garlic provides a savory punch that rounds out the dish.
• Chicken Broth: The backbone of the soup, use a good quality broth for maximum flavor.
• Dried Thyme: Earthy and herbaceous, thyme is a must for classic Chicken and Dumplings flavor.
• Dried Parsley: Adds brightness and a hint of green to the finished dish.
• Bay Leaf: Imparts subtle, aromatic undertones to the simmering broth.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
• Heavy Cream (optional): For added richness and a velvety texture in the broth.
• All-Purpose Flour (for thickening): Ensures the stew has a perfect, creamy consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour (for dumplings): The foundation for those soft, fluffy dumplings.
• Baking Powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become light as air.
• Salt (for dumplings): Brings out the flavors in the dumplings themselves.
• Whole Milk: Gives the dumplings their tender crumb and subtle richness.
• Butter (melted): Adds a touch of luxury and flavor to the dumpling dough.
• Fresh Parsley (optional): Sprinkle on top for a burst of color and freshness.

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, stirring occasionally until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion turns translucent. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until fragrant. This step lays the flavorful foundation for the entire Chicken and Dumplings experience.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Next, add your chicken thighs or breasts to the pot with the vegetables. Season generously with salt and pepper, then pour in the chicken broth. Drop in the thyme, parsley, and bay leaf. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender enough to shred.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and transfer it to a clean plate. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, keep the pot simmering so those veggies can continue to soften and the flavors meld together.

Step 4: Thicken the Broth

In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons of flour with a bit of water to make a smooth slurry. Stir this into the pot and let it simmer for a few minutes, which will thicken the broth to just the right consistency. If you’re feeling extra decadent, pour in the heavy cream now for a rich, creamy finish.

Step 5: Make the Dumpling Dough

While the broth simmers, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the whole milk and melted butter, stirring until just combined. The dough should be thick and a little sticky, but don’t overmix or the dumplings could turn out dense.

Step 6: Add the Dumplings

Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough directly into the simmering broth. Try to keep them roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Cover the pot and let the dumplings steam for about 15 minutes without lifting the lid, which ensures they become wonderfully fluffy.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Return the shredded chicken to the pot and gently stir everything together. Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt and pepper if needed. Fish out the bay leaf, scatter fresh parsley on top, and your Chicken and Dumplings is ready to serve!

How to Serve Chicken and Dumplings

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a grind of black pepper goes a long way in making your Chicken and Dumplings look as inviting as it tastes. If you’re feeling fancy, a touch of lemon zest or a drizzle of good olive oil can add a little brightness to each bowl.

Side Dishes

While Chicken and Dumplings can absolutely stand alone, a crisp green salad or a serving of roasted vegetables makes a perfect pairing. Crusty bread is also ideal for mopping up every last bit of that creamy broth.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve Chicken and Dumplings in individual ramekins or mini Dutch ovens at your next dinner party. You can also ladle it into hollowed-out bread bowls for a rustic, cozy touch that wows both kids and grown-ups.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Chicken and Dumplings is a dish that tastes even better the next day. Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The dumplings may absorb some broth, but the flavors will only deepen.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze Chicken and Dumplings, let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. For the best texture, consider freezing the soup and dumplings separately, as dumplings can sometimes become a bit mushy when thawed.

Reheating

Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If the broth has thickened too much, just add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it up. Microwave reheating works in a pinch, but do it in short bursts to keep the dumplings tender.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking raw chicken?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. Just shred the cooked chicken and add it to the pot after thickening the broth, letting it heat through before adding the dumplings.

Can I make Chicken and Dumplings gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for both the dumplings and the thickening step. Just make sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.

What’s the best way to keep dumplings light and fluffy?

The secret is not to overmix the dough and to avoid lifting the lid while the dumplings cook. This traps the steam that helps them puff up beautifully.

Is it possible to use other vegetables?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in peas, corn, or even diced potatoes for extra color and heartiness. Just add them during the simmering step so they cook through.

Can I make Chicken and Dumplings dairy-free?

Yes, simply use plant-based butter and milk alternatives for the dumplings, and skip the heavy cream or use a dairy-free substitute in the broth. The result will still be deliciously comforting.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dish that’s as soul-soothing as it is satisfying, you can’t go wrong with Chicken and Dumplings. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings is pure joy in a bowl. Give this recipe a try and let it bring a little extra warmth and comfort to your table!

Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Author: admin
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This classic Chicken and Dumplings recipe features tender chicken simmered with aromatic vegetables in a savory broth, topped with fluffy homemade dumplings. Perfect for a comforting, hearty meal that warms the soul, this dish combines simple ingredients into a satisfying one-pot dinner ideal for family gatherings or cold evenings.

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Ingredients

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For the Chicken Stew

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to thicken)

For the Dumplings

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Add dried thyme, dried parsley, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer covered for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
3. Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Set aside. Remove and discard the bay leaf from the broth.
4. Thicken the Broth: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour with a little cold water to form a slurry. Stir this slurry into the simmering broth. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the broth thickens slightly. Stir in heavy cream if using to add richness.
5. Make the Dumpling Dough: In a separate bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the milk and melted butter and mix just until combined. Optionally, fold in fresh parsley for added flavor.
6. Cook the Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the simmering chicken stew. Cover the pot and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid to allow dumplings to steam and cook through.
7. Finish and Serve: After 15 minutes, check that the dumplings are fluffy and cooked inside. Stir the shredded chicken back into the pot. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting Chicken and Dumplings.

Notes

• Use chicken thighs for more tender and flavorful meat; chicken breasts can be substituted for a leaner option.
• Do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking to ensure they steam properly and become fluffy.
• Heavy cream can be omitted or replaced with milk for a lighter stew.
• Fresh parsley in dumplings adds brightness, but dried herbs work if fresh is not available.
• Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste great reheated.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Simmering, Stewing, Steaming
• Cuisine: American Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 cup)
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg