If there’s a dish that wraps you in a cozy culinary hug, it’s Chicken and Dumplings. Wonderfully creamy, full of tender chicken and pillowy-soft dumplings, this beloved classic is the ultimate comfort food for any chilly night or homesick heart. Every spoonful delivers rich, savory broth, sweet vegetables, and those iconic dumplings that absorb all the big flavors. It’s a recipe meant for sharing, lingering at the table, and warming you from the inside out.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simplicity is the secret to truly great Chicken and Dumplings, and each ingredient here plays a starring role in building layers of flavor and the perfect texture. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a quick tip for each one to help make your cooking experience even smoother.

Unsalted butter: Adds richness to the base and helps develop a beautiful, savory foundation.
Olive oil: Prevents the butter from burning and deepens the flavor profile.
Onion: Brings natural sweetness and rounds out the soup’s depth.
Carrots: Add color and a subtle sweetness for balance.
Celery: Offers a slight bitterness and lovely crunch.
Garlic: Lends a delicious, aromatic punch to the stew.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the broth to create that signature creamy texture.
Chicken broth: Forms the flavorful, comforting base of the whole dish—choose low sodium to control saltiness.
Whole milk: Makes the stew wonderfully creamy; substitute with half-and-half for a richer finish.
Cooked shredded chicken: Use rotisserie chicken for convenience or poach your own for extra flavor.
Salt: Essential for bringing out all the other flavors—adjust as needed.
Black pepper: Adds a gentle warmth without overwhelming the broth.
Dried thyme: Classic herb for depth and a cozy, earthy aroma.
Bay leaf: Imparts subtle, fragrant notes as it simmers (don’t forget to remove before serving!).
Fresh parsley: Brightens the finished dish with fresh color and herbal pop.
For the dumplings: These ingredients create the fluffy cloud-like topping everyone loves:
- All-purpose flour: The base for the dumpling dough.
- Baking powder: Lifts the dumplings, making them irresistibly tender.
- Salt: Balances and seasons the dough.
- Cold unsalted butter: Cut in for perfect flakiness.
- Whole milk: Binds everything together for a soft, scoopable dough.

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings

Step 1: Create the Flavorful Base

Start by melting the butter with olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. This combination gives incredible flavor and prevents the butter from burning as your veggies sauté. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for 5 to 6 minutes until they soften and begin to smell sweet and fragrant. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute more—you want it aromatic but not browned!

Step 2: Thicken the Stew

Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir thoroughly, allowing the flour to cook for about 2 minutes. This tames the raw flour taste and forms the basis for your luscious, thick broth. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, stirring constantly; then add the milk. Keep stirring until everything is smooth and starting to look like a lovely, creamy stew.

Step 3: Simmer with Chicken and Seasonings

To the broth, add in your cooked shredded chicken, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and the bay leaf. Mix well and bring the pot to a gentle simmer—not a big boil, to keep the chicken tender and the flavors melding perfectly. Let this aromatic base simmer gently while you prepare your dumplings.

Step 4: Mix the Dumpling Dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt for your dumplings. Add the cold butter in small cubes, working it in with a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs (think: crumbly pie crust). Gently stir in the milk just until combined—you don’t want to over-mix, as this keeps the dumplings tender.

Step 5: Drop Dumplings and Steam

Drop spoonfuls of your dumpling dough directly onto the simmering stew, spacing each one slightly apart. The dough will expand as it cooks, so no need for perfection here. Immediately cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and keep the heat at a gentle simmer. Resist the urge to peek! Steam is essential for the dumplings to rise and become fluffy. In 15 minutes, your dumplings will be perfectly cooked and ready to soak up all that savory broth.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Remove the bay leaf from the pot (no one wants that surprise in their bowl!) and sprinkle your stew generously with fresh chopped parsley. This final touch lifts the whole dish with its bright, fresh notes. Serve your Chicken and Dumplings piping hot for ultimate coziness.

How to Serve Chicken and Dumplings

Garnishes

A generous sprinkle of fresh parsley does wonders, adding color and a burst of freshness against the creamy stew. For extra flair, try a dusting of cracked black pepper or a hint of chopped fresh thyme. Serving with a wedge of lemon on the side will brighten each bowl in a surprising and delicious way.

Side Dishes

Chicken and Dumplings is a meal in itself, but a few classic sides make it a real feast. Try a crisp green salad to balance the richness, or offer a platter of roasted green beans. Warm, soft dinner rolls or a skillet of cornbread are perfect for mopping up every bit of that creamy broth.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, ladle the Chicken and Dumplings into individual ramekins or small soup crocks, topping each with an extra parsley garnish. For a rustic, family-style approach, present the pot right on the table and let guests serve themselves. Or, try portioning leftovers into jars for portable lunches—hearty, comforting, and cute!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Chicken and Dumplings keep beautifully for up to three days in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight container and the flavors will continue to meld, making each reheat even more delicious. Just keep in mind that the dumplings will continue to absorb liquid, so the stew may thicken slightly over time.

Freezing

You can freeze Chicken and Dumplings in portioned, freezer-safe containers for up to two months. The stew base freezes perfectly, although the texture of the dumplings may become a bit denser when thawed. If freezer space is tight, consider freezing just the stew and making a fresh batch of dumplings for reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, warm Chicken and Dumplings gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk if needed to loosen the stew. Microwave reheating also works: cover with a damp paper towel and heat in short intervals, stirring gently in between to ensure even warmth without overcooking the dumplings.

FAQs

Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a brilliant shortcut for homemade Chicken and Dumplings. It makes the recipe come together quickly and adds an extra layer of savory, roasted flavor that’s hard to beat.

How do I know when the dumplings are cooked through?

You’ll know your dumplings are done when they’re puffed up and a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Be sure to keep the lid closed during cooking, as that precious steam is what turns your dough into soft, fluffy pillows.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Certainly! Feel free to stir in peas, corn, or even chopped green beans along with the chicken. These additions offer extra color, nutrition, and a little pop of sweetness that complements the savory broth perfectly.

What can I use instead of whole milk?

If you’re looking to lighten things up, 2% milk works well, though the broth will be a bit less rich. For a truly decadent treat, try swapping in half-and-half, or even a splash of cream, for a more luxurious sauce.

What should I do if my stew is too thick?

If your Chicken and Dumplings end up too thick for your liking, just gently stir in a bit more warm chicken broth or milk until you reach your desired consistency. Add gradually to avoid making the stew too thin.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about bringing a big pot of Chicken and Dumplings to the table—it’s comfort food at its finest, effortlessly combining warmth, flavor, and a sense of home. I hope this recipe fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and happy memories with every bite. Don’t wait for a rainy day to try it—coziness is only a pot away!

Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A classic and comforting Chicken and Dumplings recipe that features tender shredded chicken in a creamy stew with fluffy dumplings on top. This hearty dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a chilly evening.

Ingredients

Scale

Stew:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
3/4 cup whole milk

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Stew: In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cook until softened. Stir in garlic, add flour and cook. Gradually whisk in broth and milk, then add chicken, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer.
Make the Dumplings: Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter, stir in milk. Drop spoonfuls onto the stew, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
Remove bay leaf, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.