This comforting Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is the ultimate cozy dinner made with tender chicken, creamy broth, hearty vegetables, and soft homemade dumplings. It’s a classic one-pot meal that brings warmth and comfort to the table, perfect for family dinners or chilly evenings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, creamy broth packed with flavor
- Soft, fluffy dumplings that cook right in the soup
- Simple ingredients and easy preparation
- Family-friendly comfort food
- Perfect one-pot meal for busy weeknights
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lbs bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 2 sticks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/3 cup flour
- 4 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube (optional)
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- ¾ cup frozen peas
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Dumplings
- 2 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¾ cup cold sour cream
- ¼ cup cold milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for about 3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Let rest for 10 minutes, then cut into bite-size pieces and discard bones. - Prepare the Soup Base
Melt butter in the same pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. - Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring. Add half and half and bouillon cube if using.
- Stir in frozen peas and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Make the Dumplings
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and sugar. - Add sour cream, milk, and melted butter. Mix gently until a soft dough forms.
- Return the chicken to the soup pot and stir gently.
- Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough evenly across the soup surface.
- Cover the pot tightly and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid so the dumplings steam properly.
- Check a dumpling with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the dumplings are done.
- Garnish with parsley and serve the comforting Chicken and Dumplings Recipe hot.
Tips & Tricks
- Do not overmix the dumpling dough or they may become dense.
- Keeping the lid closed while dumplings cook ensures proper steaming.
- For extra flavor, use homemade chicken broth.
- You can shred rotisserie chicken as a quick shortcut.
Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner / Comfort Food
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half with milk plus a little cream.
- Add corn or green beans for extra vegetables.
- Serve with crusty bread or a light side salad.
Nutrition (Approximate)
Calories: 520
Protein: 34g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fat: 26g
FAQ
What makes dumplings fluffy?
Using baking powder and avoiding overmixing keeps dumplings light and fluffy.
Can I make chicken and dumplings ahead of time?
Yes, the soup can be made ahead, but dumplings are best freshly cooked.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time.
Why are my dumplings dense?
Overmixing the dough or lifting the lid during steaming can affect texture.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free flour blend for both the soup and dumplings.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze the soup without dumplings for best texture for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stove with a splash of broth or milk.
Similar Recipes
Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lbs bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 cup carrots diced
- 2 sticks celery diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/3 cup flour
- 4 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube optional
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- ¾ cup frozen peas
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Dumplings
- 2 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¾ cup cold sour cream
- ¼ cup cold milk
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for about 3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Let rest for 10 minutes, then cut into bite-size pieces and discard bones.
- Prepare the Soup Base
- Melt butter in the same pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring. Add half and half and bouillon cube if using.
- Stir in frozen peas and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Make the Dumplings
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and sugar.
- Add sour cream, milk, and melted butter. Mix gently until a soft dough forms.
- Return the chicken to the soup pot and stir gently.
- Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough evenly across the soup surface.
- Cover the pot tightly and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid so the dumplings steam properly.
- Check a dumpling with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the dumplings are done.
- Garnish with parsley and serve the comforting Chicken and Dumplings Recipe hot.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half with milk plus a little cream.
- Add corn or green beans for extra vegetables.
- Serve with crusty bread or a light side salad.
Conclusion
This Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is classic comfort food at its finest. With tender chicken, creamy broth, and fluffy dumplings, it’s a hearty dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to every bowl.