Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food—tender chicken, fluffy homemade dumplings, and a rich, creamy broth come together in one hearty, satisfying meal. It’s an old-fashioned family favorite that is perfect for chilly evenings, Sunday dinners, or whenever you want something warm and comforting.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
For the Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons cold butter
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
For the Creamy Broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the Chicken
Place the chicken in a large pot and add the chicken broth, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf.
Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through.
Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
Remove the bay leaf from the broth.
2. Prepare the Dumpling Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper.
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Pour in the milk and gently stir until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix—the dumplings will be lighter and fluffier if the dough is handled gently.
Stir in parsley if desired.
3. Make the Creamy Broth
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.
Pour this mixture into the chicken broth and stir well.
4. Add the Chicken
Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or thyme as needed.
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
5. Add the Dumplings
Using a spoon, scoop small portions of dough and gently drop them into the simmering broth. Leave a little space between the dumplings because they will expand as they cook.
Cover the pot and cook for approximately 15 minutes.
Keep the lid closed while the dumplings cook. Removing the lid too frequently can interfere with their texture.
6. Finish and Serve
After about 15 minutes, check a dumpling by cutting one open. It should be fluffy and cooked through in the center.
If necessary, cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper.
Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings
Use chicken thighs for extra flavor: Chicken thighs tend to remain juicy and tender, while chicken breasts provide a leaner option.
Don’t overwork the dough: Mix just until the ingredients come together. Overmixing can make the dumplings dense.
Keep the broth at a gentle simmer: A vigorous boil can break apart the dumplings.
Keep the lid on: Steam is important for cooking fluffy dumplings.
Make smaller dumplings: They expand considerably during cooking, so avoid making them too large.
Let it rest: A few minutes of resting after cooking allows the broth to thicken slightly and the flavors to settle.
Variations
Southern-Style
Add extra black pepper and a little poultry seasoning for a classic Southern flavor.
Vegetable Chicken and Dumplings
Add peas, corn, green beans, or additional carrots for a heartier meal.
Extra Creamy
Replace part of the milk with heavy cream for an especially rich and creamy broth.
Herb Dumplings
Add chopped parsley, chives, rosemary, or thyme directly to the dumpling dough.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. The dumplings will absorb some of the broth as they sit, so add a splash of chicken broth or milk when reheating if needed.
Nutrition Estimate
Per serving, approximately:
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 31 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fat: 17 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the ingredients and serving size.