Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food with tender, juicy chicken, soft, pillowy dumplings, and a rich, creamy broth, this dish is like a warm hug on a spoon perfect for family dinners, cozy nights, or even special gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why this version is extra special:
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh ingredients you likely already have.
- Bursting with Flavor: With herbs, tender chicken, and rich broth, each bite is deeply satisfying.
- Adaptable for All Diets: Easy to tweak for gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-sodium preferences.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t Overmix the Dumplings: This is key to achieving light and fluffy dumplings. Overmixing can lead to dense, heavy dumplings.
- Use Fresh Herbs if Possible: Fresh thyme and parsley give the dish a richer flavor, though dried can work in a pinch.
- Keep It Covered: When cooking the dumplings, keep the pot covered to trap steam, ensuring the dumplings cook evenly.
- Choose the Right Chicken Cut: Thighs add more flavor, but breasts are leaner. Use what you prefer or a mix of both for the best of both worlds.
Variations
If you’re in the mood to change things up, try one of these delicious twists:
- Vegetable Chicken and Dumplings: Add peas, green beans, or even mushrooms to make it heartier.
- Herb Dumplings: Add chopped fresh herbs like chives, dill, or rosemary to the dumpling batter for an herbal boost.
- Spicy Chicken and Dumplings: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the broth for a slight kick.
- Creamy Chicken and Dumplings: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream to the broth just before adding the dumplings for an ultra-rich version.
How to Serve Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is a meal in itself, but a few simple sides can round out the meal perfectly:
- Crisp Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness of the soup.
- Roasted Vegetables: Try roasted brussels sprouts or broccoli for a healthy side.
- Buttery Dinner Rolls: For extra indulgence, serve with warm rolls to soak up any leftover broth.
How to Store and Reheat
- In the Fridge: Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Note that the dumplings may absorb more liquid over time, so add a bit of broth when reheating if needed.
- In the Freezer: While the chicken broth freezes well, dumplings may become mushy. For best results, freeze the broth with chicken and vegetables separately, then make fresh dumplings when ready to serve.
- Reheating Tips: Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth if necessary to revive the consistency.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken in this recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken and add it after preparing the broth. It’s a great shortcut that doesn’t compromise flavor.
How can I make gluten-free dumplings?
Swap out the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the baking powder is also gluten-free, and you’ll have delicious gluten-free dumplings!
What’s the best way to thicken the broth?
For a thicker broth, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water, then stir it into the pot before adding the dumplings. Let it simmer until it reaches the desired consistency.
Can I make the dumplings ahead of time?
Dumplings are best made fresh to retain their fluffy texture. However, you can prepare the dry ingredients ahead and add milk and butter just before cooking.
What if my dumplings are too dense?
Dense dumplings can happen if the batter is overmixed. Be gentle and stir only until the ingredients are just combined. Additionally, using fresh baking powder helps with fluffiness.
Chicken And Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food with tender, juicy chicken, soft, pillowy dumplings, and a rich, creamy broth, this dish is like a warm hug on a spoon perfect for family dinners, cozy nights, or even special gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- Shredded Chicken: 4 cups of cooked chicken (or use raw)
- Veggies: 1 cup each of diced yellow onion, matchstick carrots, and diced celery
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Butter: 6 tablespoons to sauté the veggies
- Flour: 3 tablespoons, to thicken
- Chicken Stock & Milk: 1 quart (32 oz) chicken stock + 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk or half and half for creaminess
- Seasonings: Salt, cracked black pepper, and fresh or dried thyme for that fragrant, savory flavor
For the Dumplings:
- Flour & Baking Powder: 2 cups flour + 1 tablespoon (plus 1 teaspoon) baking powder for fluffy dumplings
- Milk & Butter: ¾ cup whole milk + 4 tablespoons melted butter
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and thyme
Instructions
- Sauté the Veggies: In your trusty Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the veggies soften, then toss in minced garlic and cook for an extra minute.
- Make It Creamy: Sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly to make a roux. Cook for a minute, then slowly whisk in the evaporated milk and chicken stock. Keep stirring to avoid lumps. Bring this rich, creamy soup base to a boil.
- Add Chicken & Simmer: Toss in your shredded chicken, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the soup simmer gently, uncovered, while you prepare the dumplings.
Homemade Dumplings
- Mix the Dough: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and thyme. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk and melted butter. Stir until a dough ball forms. (Add a splash more milk if needed.)
- Scoop & Drop: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop dough balls into the simmering soup, spreading them around the pot. Lightly press them so the tops just peek out of the broth.
- Simmer with the Lid On: Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. The soup should bubble gently, cooking the dumplings evenly. Halfway through, check and gently press any floating dumplings back under the broth.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 559Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 445mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 4gSugar: 9gProtein: 34g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
This chicken and dumplings recipe is a heartwarming classic that’s perfect for any season. It’s a dish that brings nostalgia, joy, and the comfort of home-cooked goodness. With its fluffy dumplings, tender chicken, and rich broth, each bite is sure to delight and satisfy.
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