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Chicken and dumplings are a classic dish that screams comfort food and has been on the menu in our families for generations.

It’s your traditional comfort food at its best: those perfect bites of a flavorful broth and soft, fluffy dumplings along with tender chicken combine into the ultimate cozy dinner.

If you need a warm and comforting meal on a cold winter night or craving something from home, chicken and dumplings is the perfect choice. Luckily for us, this is something that we can make also and it does not take much time to prepare.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need a few basic ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen:

For the Chicken and Broth:

• 1 whole chicken or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

For the Dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

• In a big pot over medium warmth, heat the olive oil or butter. Then add in the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and saute for 5 minutes until everything starts to get soft and fragrant.
• Place all of the whole chicken (or chicken breasts) in the pot, and add chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Heat the broth over high, and once it comes to a boil, turn it down to low and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour (or until chicken is cooked through and super tender).
• Take the chicken out of your pot and let it cool a little. Remove the chicken and shred the meat, discarding the bones and skin if you used a whole bird. Remove the chicken and set aside, keep the broth simmering.

Step 2: Make the Dumplings

• In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt, and combine.
• Add the milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients and stir until it just comes together as a dough. Just be sure to mix properly, not overmix, that way they are tender instead of tough.

Step 3: Cook the Dumplings

• Drop by tablespoonfuls into simmering broth using a spoon or small cookie scoop. Make sure to space the dumplings apart so they have room to spread.
• Put a lid on the pot and steam the dumplings for 10-15 minutes or until they are puffed up and cooked thoroughly. Releasing steam is bad because it slows down cooking and the dumplings cook more unevenly.

Step 4: Add the Chicken Back In

• When the dumplings are cooked completely, add the shredded chicken back to the pot and stir together gently. Let the chicken heat through for another 5 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

• Season the broth with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls, making sure each portion has ample dumplings and broth. Serve up this warming 1-pan meal for a cosy night in with the family.

Variations

One of the best things about chicken and dumplings is how versatile they can be. Here are a few variations to try:

• Herbed Dumplings: Add fresh or dried herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary to the dumpling dough for added flavour.
• Creamy Chicken and Dumplings: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or milk to the broth for a creamy version
• Vegetable-Packed: Feel free to add more vegetables like peas, green beans, or corn to the broth for extra nutrients and colour.
• Shortcut Dumplings: If you’re short on time, use store-bought biscuit dough for the dumplings. Just cut the biscuits into small pieces and drop them into the broth to cook.
• Gluten-Free Dumplings: If you’re avoiding gluten, you can make gluten-free dumplings using a gluten-free flour blend. The texture will still be fluffy and soft, and the dish will remain just as comforting.
• Spicy Chicken and Dumplings: Make this dish spicy by adding spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes. This will kick the stew, perfect for those who enjoy spicy food.

Tips for the Perfect Chicken and Dumplings

• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the dough until just combined. If over-mixed then you may get dumplings which are both tough and heavy—rather than fluffy and light.
• Keep the Pot Covered: When cooking the dumplings, keep your lid on top for steam. This ensures that the dumplings rise nicely and evenly.
• Use Homemade Broth: If you have the time, preparing your chicken broth can lend depth to this dish. To make rich flavoured broth, you simply cook chicken bones, onions, carrots and celery in water for several hours.
• Leftovers: Chicken and dumplings taste great the next day too! You can store leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container, and they should make a good meal.

Conclusion

This chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort meal. It is a meal that all in the house enjoy as it contains tender chicken, yummy broth & soft dumplings.

Whether you adhere to the classic recipe or try some new varieties, this is one meal that will become an entree in your household. Give it a taste for yourself as supper tonight. It’s tasty and so simple to prepare!