If you are craving a hearty, soul-warming dish that feels like a big, comforting hug in a bowl, you cannot go wrong with this classic Chicken and Dumplings Recipe. This dish brings together tender shredded chicken, velvety broth bursting with herbs and vegetables, and fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings that soak up every bit of flavor. It is a timeless American favorite that satisfies on chilly days, family dinners, or any time you want a filling, home-cooked meal that reminds you of tradition and care. I’m so excited to walk you through making this cozy classic yourself!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is in its simplicity and the way each ingredient plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor and texture. From the fresh vegetables to the aromatic herbs, every component contributes to the dish’s inviting color, depth, and comfort factor.
- Olive oil: A tablespoon of this extra-virgin goodness provides the perfect base for sautéing your vegetables to caramelized perfection.
- Onion, chopped: Adds sweetness and a mild pungency that balances the broth.
- Garlic, minced: Gives a warm, savory kick without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- Carrots, sliced: Offer subtle sweetness and a pleasing texture contrast.
- Celery stalks, sliced: Bring a savory freshness and crunch that enrich the broth’s complexity.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the natural flavors of all ingredients.
- Black pepper: Lends a gentle heat that wakes up the palate.
- Dried thyme and parsley: These herbs infuse earthy, herbaceous notes characteristic of classic comfort food.
- Paprika: Adds subtle warmth and a lovely rosy hue to the broth.
- Chicken broth: The rich liquid base that ties all ingredients harmoniously together.
- Cooked shredded chicken: The star protein that makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
- Frozen peas: Bright pops of sweetness and color to brighten each spoonful.
- For the dumplings: all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder (optional), cold cubed butter, and whole milk combine to create tender, fluffy dumplings that float on top of the soup like little pillows of comfort.
How to Make Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add your chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté these until they begin to soften and the onion turns translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step is crucial as it builds the foundational flavors by releasing the natural sweetness of the vegetables and infusing the oil with aromatic goodness.
Step 2: Season and Simmer
Next, sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, dried thyme, parsley, and paprika. Stir everything together to coat the vegetables evenly with those fragrant herbs and spices. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes. This simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully while softening the veggies further.
Step 3: Add Chicken and Peas
Stir in the tender, cooked shredded chicken along with frozen peas. The shredded chicken warms through quickly in the hot broth, while the peas add a burst of color and a subtle sweetness that lightens the hearty stew just right.
Step 4: Prepare the Dumplings
While the soup simmers, it’s time to make the dumplings. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and optional garlic powder. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. This technique is key because those little butter chunks create the delightful layers in your dumplings. Stir in the milk gently until a soft dough forms—take care not to overmix to keep the dumplings tender and fluffy.
Step 5: Cook the Dumplings
Drop heaping spoonfuls of the dumpling dough over the simmering soup. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let the dumplings cook gently over low heat for 15 minutes. It’s important not to lift the lid during this time to trap steam, which puffs the dumplings up to light and fluffy perfection. Avoid boiling here; a gentle simmer is what creates the ideal texture.
How to Serve Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Garnishes
Once your dumplings are perfectly puffed and cooked through, ladle this lovely mixture into bowls and consider a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme on top for a pop of color and herbaceous brightness. A little swirl of heavy cream added just before serving can elevate the richness beautifully if you want an extra indulgent touch.
Side Dishes
This dish is so hearty it can stand alone, but if you want to round out the meal, light sides like a crisp green salad or steamed green beans provide freshness that balances the richness. Buttery dinner rolls are also excellent for mopping up every last bit of the comforting broth.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the dumplings separately on the side so each person can add as many as they like. Or turn this into a make-your-own dinner by providing a range of garnishes such as shredded cheese, chopped scallions, or a dash of hot sauce to personalize each bowl. It’s a great way to keep the meal interactive and a bit playful!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Your Chicken and Dumplings Recipe will keep well for 3 to 4 days. The dumplings will continue to soak up the broth, making the leftovers even more flavorful.
Freezing
You can freeze the soup, but keep in mind that the dumplings tend to change texture upon freezing and reheating. For best results, freeze the broth and chicken separately from the dumplings. Reheat the broth and chicken, then cook fresh dumplings before serving.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat to avoid breaking down the dumplings further. Stir occasionally and add a splash of chicken broth if it seems too thick. Microwaving is fine too but do so in short intervals to maintain the dumplings’ texture as best as possible.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully here and can save you time during prep. Just shred the meat and add it to the broth in step three, and you’re good to go.
What can I substitute for whole milk in the dumplings?
You can use buttermilk for tangier dumplings or even a dairy-free milk alternative if needed. Just remember that buttermilk adds a lovely depth of flavor and tenderness to the dumplings.
How do I know when dumplings are fully cooked?
If you can insert a toothpick into a dumpling and it comes out clean, they’re done. They should also puff up and feel light when you press gently.
Can I make the dumplings gluten-free?
Yes, but you’ll want to use a gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking to ensure the right texture. You might need to adjust liquid amounts slightly as gluten-free flours absorb differently.
Is it okay to use frozen peas instead of fresh?
Frozen peas are perfect for this recipe. They add convenience and maintain their sweet flavor after cooking in the broth.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like making a warm pot of this Chicken and Dumplings Recipe to fill your home with the scent of comfort and love. It’s joy in a bowl, perfect for sharing with family or digging into solo with a good book. I hope you give it a try soon—it might just become a treasured staple in your recipe collection too!
Print
Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a comforting one-pot meal featuring tender shredded chicken and fluffy homemade dumplings simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables and herbs. Perfect for cozy dinners, it combines heartwarming flavors and a satisfying texture that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup frozen peas
Dumplings Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ¾ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Season and Simmer: Season the vegetables with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried parsley, and paprika. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add Chicken and Peas: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and frozen peas into the simmering broth. Keep the heat gentle to maintain a simmer.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: While the soup simmers, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and optional garlic powder. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until a soft dough forms, taking care not to overmix.
- Drop Dumplings into Soup: Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the dough evenly over the surface of the simmering soup. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and simmer gently. Avoid boiling and do not lift the lid to ensure the dumplings cook properly.
- Cook Dumplings: Let the dumplings cook for 15 minutes until they puff up and are cooked through. This gentle simmering cooks the dumplings perfectly and allows them to absorb the flavors of the broth.
- Serve: Once done, serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with additional herbs if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken can be used as a convenient and flavorful shortcut for the shredded chicken.
- For a richer taste, add a splash of heavy cream to the soup at the end of cooking.
- Replacing whole milk with buttermilk in the dumplings gives an extra tangy flavor and tenderness.
