Chicken and Dumplings

Content… Authentic Comfort Food Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Soul-Satisfying Comfort Food Recipes Conclusion Watch How to Make It

Comforting Chicken and Dumplings

This mouthwatering one-pot meal made from scratch is pure soul-comforting food with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and flavorful broth. And I could eat every day without ever getting bored! While wintertime is when I make it most, it’s ideal for any time of year.

Ya know, poor people have the greatest imagination. During the Great Depression, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had to make do with what they had. A tough chicken, some veggies from the garden, flour, and a few herbs and spices simmered together just right could feed the whole family for a happy clan. And so was born chicken and dumplings.

Recipe Ingredients

1. All-Purpose Flour – The basic ingredient for the dumplings. But if you need gluten-free dumplings, you can replace this ingredient with the same amount of gluten-free all-purpose flour mix that includes xanthan gum.
2. Leavening – Baking soda and powder make delightfully fluffy biscuit-like dumplings because of their leavening power.
3. Butter – The best flavor and texture comes from butter for the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth experience.
4. Chicken – I usually use the skinless, boneless breast for this recipe, but it’s just as drool-worthy with the whole chicken or just legs and thighs. You can even use leftover rotisserie chicken, just remove the bones and skip the searing.
5. Seasonings – Garlic, onion, celery, thyme, cayenne, and nutmeg ramp up the flavor to awesome.
6. Veggies – Carrots and peas add nutrition and substance for a healthy chicken soup or stew.

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings

Dumplings

• Dry Ingredients – Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. (Photo 1)
• Butter – Quickly cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender or by hand until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs; this might take about 3-5 minutes. (Photo 2)
• Finishing Touches – Make a well in the center of the mixture, add buttermilk, and stir until it forms a rough ball, do not overmix. Add chopped parsley and gently mix. Let it rest in the fridge while you make the chicken. I’ve tried the softer ones, but after a couple of tries, I’d say this dumpling here complements the rich, creamy stew well. No worries, because you’ll be scooping them out like a pro in no time. 😉

Chicken

• Sear Chicken – Heat oil in a skillet, stir in the chicken and cook it for 3-5 minutes. Browning the chicken first ensures a far better and more flavorful base before adding the chicken broth. And it also adds that distinct appetizing color as in the photos. (Photo 3)
• Season – Add minced garlic, and stir for about a minute, then the chopped onion, celery, thyme, and bay leaves. Saute until the onion is wilted – about 4 minutes. (Photo 4)
• Roux – Add butter, then gently add flour while stirring; cook for 1 minute. (Photo 5)
• Add Liquid and Veggies – Pour in about ½ cup of chicken stock or broth, stirring to prevent lumps. Slowly add the remaining chicken broth a little at a time because you don’t want the mixture to form lumps. Bring to a slow boil, then turn the heat down to medium, so it simmers gently and thickens, 12-15 minutes. Stir in the vegetables, cayenne pepper (if desired), nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. (Photo 6-8)
• Form Dumplings – Remove the dumpling dough from the fridge, then scoop about 3 tablespoons at a time into the skillet (or divide it into 8-10 portions). Leave some space between the dumplings because they double in size as they cook. (Photos 9-10)
• Bake – Place skillet in the oven and bake at 350℉/177℃ for 18-20 minutes, or until slightly brown and the dough is cooked through. After about 15 minutes, you may want to use a toothpick to test if the dumplings are done.
• Serve – Remove from the oven, then scoop a dumpling and a portion of the stew onto each serving plate. Serve hot.

Recipe Variations

1. Pot Pie – You can thicken the broth of this super easy recipe by adding a little more flour or reducing the broth by half. Then put the stew in a lasagna pan and top it with the biscuits for a simple pot pie.
2. Stovetop Version – This Chicken and Dumplings recipe offers a lot of goodness in a pot. Add the dumplings, cover, and simmer until your dumplings are tender and cooked all the way through. It’s a warm and nutrient-packed chicken stew with veggies plus indulgent dumplings for all those carboholics like me. 😉

Tips and Tricks

1. Make the dumpling dough first so it can chill in the fridge while you work on the stew. It really does improve the biscuit-like texture, so you don’t end up with gluey flour balls sticking to the roof of your mouth.
2. These dumplings are similar to biscuits, so don’t overmix the dough, or you’ll end up with tough dumplings.
3. Check for doneness by sticking a toothpick or fork in a dumpling, and then, when it comes out clean, your dumplings are ready to go.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can make the stew and dumplings ahead, then store them in the fridge for three days or freeze them for two months. Make the stew to the point that you would typically add the dumplings, then let it cool to almost room temperature, and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Make the dumpling dough, spoon it onto a sheet, then flash-freeze it. As soon as the dumplings get hard, store them in a freezer bag until ready to make your chicken and dumplings. Thaw them at room temp for about 30 minutes, then proceed with the instructions.

Serving and Storage Instructions

This deliciousness is best served hot from the oven in a big bowl. Sometimes I let it cool just enough so I don’t burn my tongue.😉

Leftovers stay good refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. My family doesn’t usually leave any leftovers, but just in case, it’s nice to know.

FAQs

What to Serve With Chicken and Dumplings

This one-pot meal is so delicious on its own. But if you want a more substantial meal, try it with any of the following sides.

1. Easy Skillet Cornbread
2. Green Beans and Bacon
3. Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
4. Turnip Greens

More Soul-Satisfying Comfort Food Recipes

1. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
2. Homemade Biscuits
3. Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
4. Fried Chicken Wings

Conclusion

The ultimate comfort foods include chicken and dumplings. Was this dish one of your faves when you were growing up? Let me know in the comments how old you were the first time you tried this dish.❤️

Watch How to Make It

This blog post was originally published in January 2018 and has been updated with additional tips.