Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, loved for its creamy broth, tender chicken, and fluffy dumplings that just melt in your mouth. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a cold night, bringing back memories of family dinners and cozy gatherings around the table. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to this Southern classic, you’ll find that every spoonful offers richness, heartiness, and pure home-cooked joy.

Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Chicken and Dumplings lies in its straightforward ingredients—each one plays an important role in delivering incredible flavor, satisfying texture, or that signature golden color. Get these basics together and you’re halfway to a delicious bowl of wholesome goodness.

Olive oil: Adds a subtle, fruity flavor and keeps the vegetables from sticking to the pot.
Butter: Provides richness and helps create a deeper flavor in the soup base.
Onion (diced): Gives a sweet, aromatic background that carries through every bite.
Carrots (peeled and sliced): Add color and a natural hint of sweetness that balances the savory broth.
Celery (sliced): Lends classic soup flavor and a pleasant crunch to the mix.
Garlic (minced): Enhances the fragrant, savory notes in the soup.
Low-sodium chicken broth: The backbone of the soup; using low-sodium lets you control the salt level.
Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie or leftover chicken works perfectly for convenience and flavor.
Dried thyme: Brings an earthy, herbal undertone that’s classic in Chicken and Dumplings.
Salt and black pepper: Enhances every ingredient and lets the flavors shine through.
Heavy cream or whole milk (optional): For a luscious, creamy finish—use as much or as little as you like.
All-purpose flour (optional, for thickening): Creates a heartier, silkier broth if you want extra body.
All-purpose flour (for dumplings): Forms the base of those irresistible, pillowy dumplings.
Baking powder: Makes the dumplings rise into fluffy, tender bites.
Salt (for dumplings): Balances the dough and lifts the flavor of the dumplings.
Butter (cold and cubed): Ensures the dumplings are flaky and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Whole milk (for dumplings): Brings the dough together for dumplings that are soft but hold together perfectly.

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Begin by heating the olive oil and butter together in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. This combination ensures a rich, flavorful base. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, letting them cook for 5 to 6 minutes until they start to soften and the kitchen fills with their comforting aroma. Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds—just until it’s fragrant but not browned.

Step 2: Build the Soup Base

Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, then add your shredded chicken, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a gentle stir. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer so all those flavors meld together. If you like your broth a bit thicker, whisk a couple of tablespoons of flour into some hot broth in a small bowl, then stir it back into the pot.

Step 3: Add Creaminess (Optional)

For that luxurious, velvety texture Chicken and Dumplings is famous for, stir in the heavy cream or whole milk. This is totally optional, but it really takes the soup to another level. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes while you prepare the dumpling dough.

Step 4: Make the Dumpling Dough

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Scatter in the cold cubed butter, then use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the dry mix until it looks like coarse crumbs. Pour in the milk and gently stir just until the dough comes together. Resist the urge to overmix—this keeps dumplings light and tender.

Step 5: Add the Dumplings to the Soup

Drop large spoonfuls of dough onto the simmering soup, spacing them out for plenty of room to puff up while they cook. You’ll end up with 8 to 10 dumplings. Cover the pot with a tight lid and let everything simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t peek! The steam is essential for perfectly cooked, pillowy dumplings.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

When the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy, give the soup a gentle stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle generous helpings of Chicken and Dumplings into warm bowls and get ready to enjoy some serious comfort.

How to Serve Chicken and Dumplings

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a scattering of chopped chives brightens up your bowl and adds a pop of color against the rich, creamy soup. A pinch of cracked pepper right before serving is a must for that finishing touch. If you like a splash of freshness, a wedge of lemon on the side does wonders.

Side Dishes

While Chicken and Dumplings is hearty enough to stand on its own, it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad, steamed green beans, or some buttered corn on the cob. If you’re in the mood for a feast, serve some crusty bread or fluffy biscuits alongside to soak up every drop of that savory broth.

Creative Ways to Present

For a family-style meal, bring the whole pot to the table for guests to help themselves. If you’re feeling fancy, dish Chicken and Dumplings into small ramekins for individual servings. For a rustic touch, try serving in wide, shallow bowls garnished with plenty of herbs and a swirl of cream.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Chicken and Dumplings keep surprisingly well! Cool leftovers completely before transferring to an airtight container in the fridge. The dumplings may absorb some broth, but the flavors deepen overnight, making for an even cozier bowl next day.

Freezing

If you want to freeze Chicken and Dumplings, try to freeze the soup and dumplings separately if possible. This prevents the dumplings from becoming overly dense or soggy when thawed, but freezing them together in a pinch is fine for homey meals. Use within 2 to 3 months for the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen up the soup if it has thickened too much. Stir occasionally and be careful not to overboil, which could make the dumplings tough. Microwave reheating also works for single portions, but use a lower power level and cover with a microwave-safe lid.

FAQs

Can I make Chicken and Dumplings gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend in both the soup and dumplings. Just be sure your baking powder is gluten-free, too, and check the consistency as gluten-free flours can behave differently.

What’s the best chicken to use?

Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe effortlessly easy, but any cooked, shredded chicken will work—leftovers from a roast are perfect. Dark meat, like thighs, gives extra flavor and tenderness, but use what you have on hand.

Can I add more vegetables to my Chicken and Dumplings?

Definitely! Peas, corn, green beans, or even a handful of spinach can all be tossed in for color and extra nutrition. Just add them near the end of the simmer so they keep their brightness and crunch.

How do I know when the dumplings are done?

The dumplings are ready when they’re puffed up, cooked through, and not doughy in the center—about 15 to 20 minutes of simmering with the lid closed does the trick. You can test one by cutting it in half to be sure.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can make the soup base ahead and store it in the fridge for up to two days. When ready to serve, bring it to a simmer and prepare your dumpling dough fresh to ensure maximum fluffiness.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a meal that’s soul-warming, crowd-pleasing, and just downright delicious, it truly doesn’t get better than Chicken and Dumplings. Gather up your ingredients, invite someone you love to the table, and prepare to fall in love with every comforting bite!

Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

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4.7 from 6 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the comforting warmth of this classic Chicken and Dumplings recipe. A hearty soup loaded with tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a creamy broth, this dish is perfect for cozy family dinners or chilly nights.

Ingredients

Scale

For the soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk (optional)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

For the dumplings:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed
1/2 cup whole milk

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Instructions

Soup Preparation: In a large pot, heat olive oil and butter. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until soft. Stir in garlic, then add chicken broth, shredded chicken, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently.
Soup Thickening: Whisk flour with hot broth, then stir back into the pot. Add cream or milk if desired.
Dumplings: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in milk to form dough.
Dumpling Cooking: Drop spoonfuls of dough into the soup. Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes until dumplings are cooked through.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

For a thicker soup base, add an extra tablespoon of flour or mash some cooked vegetables before adding dumplings.
Add peas or parsley for extra color and freshness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern American