Homemade Fluffy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe: Family Favorite!

Southern comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering chicken and dumplings recipe that captures generations of home-cooked love.

Tender chicken nestles among soft, pillowy dumplings in a creamy broth that warms your soul.

Hearty and satisfying, this classic dish brings together simple ingredients with extraordinary flavor.

Generations of cooks have perfected this comforting meal, passing down secrets from kitchen to kitchen.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and warmth, blending rich chicken stock with delicate, fluffy dough.

Families have gathered around steaming bowls, sharing laughter and creating memories with this timeless Southern classic.

You’ll fall in love with every comforting bite of this incredible chicken and dumplings masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 5

Key Ingredients For Best Chicken And Dumplings

• Onion: Builds foundational flavor with sweet, mellow undertones and helps create depth in the soup.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color while providing subtle earthy notes.
• Celery: Contributes crisp texture and light peppery flavor that complements the chicken.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, intense taste that elevates the entire dish's complexity.

• Chicken Broth: Creates rich, savory liquid base that infuses every spoonful with deep flavor.
• Shredded Chicken: Provides hearty protein and makes the soup substantial and satisfying.

• Thyme: Introduces woodsy, slightly minty essence that pairs beautifully with chicken.
• Rosemary: Offers piney, aromatic touch that enhances overall herbal profile.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies all other flavors in the recipe.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and subtle spiciness.

• Flour: Forms tender, pillowy dumpling structure with soft texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps dumplings rise and become light and fluffy.
• Milk: Binds ingredients and contributes smooth, creamy consistency.
• Melted Butter: Ensures rich flavor and helps create delicate dumpling texture.

• Heavy Cream: Optional ingredient that introduces luxurious, velvety richness to the broth.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides bright, fresh garnish with subtle herbal freshness.

Tools You’ll Use For Best Chicken And Dumplings

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the entire dish, with a tight-fitting lid for steaming dumplings.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing dumpling ingredients and creating the dough.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry and wet dumpling ingredients smoothly.
• Tablespoon: Ideal for dropping dumpling dough into the simmering soup.
• Cutting board: Useful for chopping vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery.
• Sharp knife: Helps prepare vegetables and shred chicken efficiently.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring vegetables and soup while cooking.

Steps To Make Best Chicken And Dumplings Comforting

• Veggie Symphony

Warm up a big pot and dance some chopped onions, carrots, and celery around until they soften and release their delicious aromas. Toss in minced garlic for an extra flavor punch.

• Broth and Protein Harmony

Pour chicken broth into the pot and introduce shredded chicken. Sprinkle herbs to create a magical flavor landscape. Let everything simmer and get acquainted, allowing flavors to mingle and develop.

• Dumpling Cloud Creation

In a mixing bowl, combine flour with baking essentials. Gently stir milk and melted butter until a soft dough forms. Be gentle – no aggressive mixing allowed.

• Pillowy Dumpling Clouds

Gently drop spoonfuls of dough onto the simmering soup. Give each dumpling some breathing room to expand and grow.

• Steamy Transformation

Cover the pot with a tight lid, creating a magical steaming environment. Let dumplings puff up and transform for about 15 minutes.

• Creamy Finish

Swirl in a splash of cream to give the broth a luxurious touch. Taste and adjust seasonings to your heart’s content.

• Comfort Served

Ladle this warm hug into bowls. Sprinkle fresh herbs on top for a beautiful final touch. Enjoy your soul-warming meal.

Tips To Keep Best Chicken And Dumplings Flavorful

• Perfect Chicken Dumpling Tweaks
• Texture Triumph: Whisk flour mixture gently to avoid tough dumplings. Overmixing develops gluten, creating dense, chewy results instead of light, fluffy dumplings.
• Herb Harmony: Experiment with fresh herbs like sage or tarragon to add unexpected depth. Dried herbs work wonderfully too, intensifying the soup's aromatic profile.
• Low-Carb Swap: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free version. These alternatives provide excellent texture while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Protein Power: Substitute chicken with turkey or plant-based protein like shredded jackfruit for diverse dietary needs. Each protein brings unique flavor dynamics to the classic comfort dish.
• Creamy Dream: For a lighter version, use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. These alternatives maintain richness while reducing overall calorie content.

Serve Best Chicken And Dumplings Like Grandma Would

• Comfort Food Companions: Pair this hearty chicken and dumplings with a crisp green salad to balance the richness.
• Rustic Bread Buddy: Serve alongside warm, crusty bread or cornbread to soak up the delicious broth and add extra texture.
• Cozy Side Kick: Add a small dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh chives on top for an extra layer of flavor and creamy finish.
• Winter Wellness Bowl: Enjoy this dish as a complete meal perfect for chilly evenings, providing warmth and satisfaction in every comforting spoonful.

Store Best Chicken And Dumplings The Right Way

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the meal fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Magic: Carefully transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months, maintaining delicious flavor and texture.
• Reheating Wisdom: Gently warm refrigerated or thawed soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add extra broth if needed to prevent dumplings from becoming dry or tough.
• Smart Separation Trick: Store dumplings separately from the soup liquid when possible to prevent soggy texture, reassembling just before serving for optimal taste and consistency.

Hearty Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Classic chicken and dumplings blend Southern comfort with hearty home cooking. Creamy broth, tender chicken, and pillowy dumplings create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave during cold evenings.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (rotisserie works great)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional for creaminess)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 2 tbsps butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Aromatics Awakening: Sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until vegetables become translucent, releasing their fragrant essence in a spacious pot.
2. Flavor Infusion: Pour chicken broth into the vegetable base, introducing shredded chicken and seasoning with thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing ingredients to harmonize.
3. Dumpling Crafting: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Blend milk and melted butter into the dry ingredients, creating a slightly lumpy dough without overmixing.
4. Dumpling Placement: Delicately spoon dumpling mixture onto the simmering soup, positioning each dollop with strategic spacing to accommodate expansion during cooking.
5. Steaming Transformation: Cover the pot, allowing dumplings to steam and develop into fluffy clouds over 12-15 minutes, ensuring complete cooking and ideal texture.
6. Creamy Elevation: Stir heavy cream into the soup, creating a luxurious and velvety consistency. Adjust seasonings to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
7. Culinary Presentation: Ladle the hearty soup into serving bowls, distributing dumplings generously. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Sauté Strategically: Carefully caramelize vegetables at medium heat to develop a deep, rich flavor base without burning, which can introduce bitter undertones.
• Dumpling Delicacy: Avoid overmixing dumpling dough to prevent tough, dense results; gently combine ingredients until just incorporated for light, fluffy texture.
• Chicken Choice: Select bone-in, skin-on chicken for more intense flavor, or use rotisserie chicken for convenient, pre-cooked meat with excellent taste profile.
• Cream Caution: Add heavy cream at the end of cooking to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, silky consistency in the final dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg