Description
This Ultimate Chicken and Dumplings recipe delivers pure comfort with tender shredded chicken, creamy broth, and fluffy homemade dumplings. Perfectly seasoned with herbs and simmered to perfection, it’s a classic American main course that’s warm, hearty, and ideal for cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup heavy cream
For the Dumplings:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add seasonings and flour: Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes to form a flavorful roux and remove the raw flour taste.
- Add broth and simmer: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup slightly thickens.
- Add chicken, peas, and cream: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken and frozen peas. Then, add the heavy cream, folding it in gently to create a rich and creamy broth.
- Prepare dumpling dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the whole milk and melted butter, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep dumplings light and fluffy.
- Cook dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough (about 1 tablespoon each) onto the simmering soup surface. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid to allow dumplings to cook through fully.
- Check and serve: After 15 minutes, check that the dumplings are fluffy and cooked in the center. Serve the chicken and dumplings hot for a comforting and hearty meal.
Notes
- This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers gently over low heat, adding extra broth if the soup thickens too much after sitting.
- Add chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme for a fresh garnish before serving.
- Ensure not to lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking, so they steam properly and remain fluffy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
