Cozy Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe for Soul-Warming Comfort

Southern kitchens buzz with warmth when classic chicken and dumplings land on dinner tables.

My grandmother’s cherished recipe carries memories of cozy Sunday afternoons.

Hearty comfort emerges from simple ingredients that blend tradition with love.

Tender chicken pieces swim alongside pillowy dumplings in a rich, creamy broth.

Each spoonful promises a nostalgic embrace of home-cooked goodness.

Grandma’s secret?

Patience and a splash of unexpected seasoning.

This dish promises to become your new favorite weeknight meal.

Rush to the kitchen and create something truly magical.

Why Chicken And Dumplings Is A Hug In A Bowl

• Quickly Comfort Your Family: This chicken and dumplings recipe delivers maximum warmth and satisfaction in one pot, perfect for chilly evenings when everyone craves a hearty meal that feels like a comforting hug.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, home cooks can prepare this classic dish in under an hour, making it an ideal solution for busy families seeking delicious, stress-free dinners.
• Master Impressive Techniques: By learning how to create silky soup base and fluffy dumplings from scratch, home chefs can boost their culinary confidence while creating a restaurant-quality meal that looks and tastes professionally prepared.
• Customize with Ease: This versatile recipe allows flexible ingredient swaps like using different herbs, adding vegetables, or substituting protein, making it adaptable to personal preferences and pantry availability.

Everything Needed For Chicken And Dumplings

• Chicken, Chicken Broth: Hearty protein and liquid base for the soup, choose high-quality, low-sodium broth for best flavor.
• Butter: Rich and flavorful fat for sautéing vegetables, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix mix providing depth and aromatic foundation for the soup.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor to enhance overall taste profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors, use freshly ground black pepper for best taste.
• Thyme, Parsley: Herbs that bring fresh and earthy notes to the soup, preferably fresh but dried works well.
• Heavy Cream: Optional ingredient for extra richness and creamy texture.

• All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Garlic Powder, Dried Herbs: Key components for creating light and fluffy dumplings, ensure ingredients are fresh for best results.
• Milk, Melted Butter: Binding agents that provide moisture and richness to dumpling dough.

Easy Method To Make Chicken And Dumplings

Step 1: Craft the Flavorful Soup Base

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Thyme
• Parsley

Let the soup bubble gently. For an extra creamy touch, swirl in some heavy cream or milk.

Step 2: Prepare Fluffy Cloud-Like Dumplings

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Dried herbs

Create a soft landing for the wet ingredients. Pour in milk and melted butter, stirring just until everything comes together. The dough should look inviting and slightly shaggy.

Step 3: Plunge Dumplings into Soup

Scoop generous dollops of dumpling dough directly into the simmering soup. Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop for perfectly sized morsels. Cloak the pot with a lid and let the dumplings transform. They’ll puff up and cook through in about 12-15 minutes, becoming pillowy and irresistible.

Step 4: Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming mixture into warm bowls. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. This soul-warming dish promises comfort in every single bite. Gather your loved ones and enjoy the ultimate comfort food that speaks directly to the heart.

Tips For Creamy, Cozy Chicken And Dumplings

• Customize Dumpling Texture: Adjust milk quantity to control dumpling density. Less milk creates firmer dumplings, while more milk produces softer, fluffier results.
• Prevent Overmixing Trick: Stir dumpling ingredients gently and briefly. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough, chewy dumplings instead of tender ones.
• Boost Flavor Variation: Experiment with herbs like rosemary, sage, or chives to add depth. Fresh herbs provide more vibrant taste compared to dried alternatives.
• Gluten-Free Conversion: Swap wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose blend or almond flour. Add xanthan gum for better binding and texture in dumpling mixture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare soup base and refrigerate up to 2 days in advance. Add fresh dumplings just before serving to maintain optimal texture and warmth.

Best Way To Store Chicken And Dumplings

• Refrigerate leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking.
• Store the dish for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping the dumplings nestled in the soup to prevent them from drying out.
• Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if the mixture seems too thick.
• Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make dumplings tough and rubbery.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, ensuring you remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly, stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy texture and prevent separation.

Delicious Sides With Chicken And Dumplings

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: A medium-bodied Pinot Noir complements the rich, creamy chicken soup perfectly. Its subtle earthiness matches the herb-infused dumplings while cutting through the dish's hearty texture.
• Crunch with Crisp Green Salad: A light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette provides refreshing contrast to the heavy, comforting chicken and dumplings. Fresh greens balance the creamy soup's richness and add nutritional variety.
• Serve with Warm Buttermilk Biscuits: Soft, buttery buttermilk biscuits make an excellent side, offering additional carbohydrate comfort. They're perfect for soaking up extra soup and adding another layer of warm, satisfying flavor.
• Complement with Sparkling Apple Cider: A chilled sparkling apple cider brings subtle sweetness and brightness to the meal. Its crisp, light nature helps cleanse the palate between hearty bites of chicken and dumplings.

New Variations Of Chicken And Dumplings

• Herb Garden Chicken Dumplings: Enhance the recipe by adding fresh rosemary, sage, and chopped chives directly into the dumpling mixture. These fragrant herbs will elevate the traditional flavor profile and create a more complex, garden-fresh taste experience.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Dumplings: Incorporate diced green chiles, ground cumin, and a dash of cayenne pepper into the soup base. Replace regular milk with buttermilk in the dumplings for a tangy kick that complements the southwestern spices.
• Mushroom Lovers Chicken Dumplings: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms with the vegetables before adding broth. Include dried porcini powder in the dumpling mix to intensify the earthy mushroom flavor and create a more robust, umami-rich dish.
• Mediterranean Inspired Chicken Dumplings: Add sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and dried oregano to the soup. Mix chopped kalamata olives into the dumpling dough for a bright, Mediterranean-inspired version of the classic comfort food.

FAQs On Chicken And Dumplings Made Simple

• What makes these dumplings different from other dumpling recipes?

These dumplings are super light and fluffy because they’re made with simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, and milk. The key is not overmixing the dough, which keeps them tender and prevents them from becoming tough or dense.

• Can I use different types of meat in this recipe?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for shredded chicken, you can easily swap it with leftover turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even cooked pulled pork. Just make sure the meat is already cooked before adding it to the soup base.

• Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Yes! This chicken and dumplings recipe is beginner-friendly. The steps are straightforward, and there’s no complicated technique required. The most important tips are to stir the flour mixture gently and drop the dumplings carefully into the simmering soup.

• How can I make this recipe more flavorful?

Experiment with herbs like rosemary or add a pinch of smoked paprika to the dumpling dough. You can also use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought for a richer, more depth of flavor.

Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Southern Chicken and Dumplings blend classic comfort with rich, creamy goodness in one soul-warming dish. Grandma’s secret recipe delivers pure culinary nostalgia, inviting you to savor each comforting spoonful of pure home-style happiness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion (diced)
• 2 carrots (peeled and sliced)
• 2 celery stalks (sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley

Liquid and Thickening Ingredients:

• 6 cups chicken broth
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
• ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk (for extra creaminess, optional)

Dumpling Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for flavor)
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley or thyme (optional, for herby flavor)
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

Cooking Fats:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Craft the aromatic foundation by melting butter in a spacious pot, creating a golden base for the culinary journey.
2. Introduce diced onions, carrots, and celery, gently sautéing until they transform into tender, translucent companions, releasing their subtle fragrance.
3. Infuse the mixture with minced garlic, allowing its pungent essence to bloom briefly and enhance the vegetable medley.
4. Dust the vegetable landscape with a delicate veil of flour, stirring meticulously to eliminate any raw undertones and create a smooth, thickening embrace.
5. Gradually cascade chicken broth into the pot, whisking continuously to forge a silky, harmonious liquid canvas.
6. Incorporate succulent shredded chicken, along with a thoughtful blend of salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley, then coax the mixture into a gentle, rhythmic simmer.
7. Optional: Enrich the soup with a luxurious splash of heavy cream or milk, elevating its velvety texture.
8. Prepare the dumpling companions by combining flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and dried herbs in a welcoming mixing bowl.
9. Introduce milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients, folding them together with a light touch; seek a soft, slightly clingy consistency without overworking the dough.
10. Tenderly drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering soup, allowing them to nestle comfortably across the surface.
11. Seal the pot with a lid, creating a steamy sanctuary for the dumplings to transform over 12-15 minutes, emerging puffy and thoroughly cooked.
12. Serve the comforting creation in inviting bowls, adorned with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, ready to warm both body and soul.

Notes

• Customize the soup base by swapping chicken with turkey or plant-based protein for dietary variations.
• Keep dumpling dough slightly lumpy for a more rustic, tender texture that prevents overworking the gluten.
• Add a splash of white wine or sherry to enhance the soup’s depth and complexity of flavor.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken broth and adjusting salt incrementally during cooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg