Chicken and Dumplings
This cozy, hearty chicken and dumplings recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
Tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a creamy broth make it the ultimate comfort food.
If you’ve ever craved a dish that’s both comforting and easy to prepare, this is it.
Whether you’re cooking for your family or craving something to fill your soul, this chicken and dumplings recipe will definitely become a staple.
It’s comforting, delicious, and packed with flavor—perfect for any occasion.
Let’s dive in and make the best chicken and dumplings you’ll ever taste!
For the Chicken and Soup Base
- Chicken – Bone-in, skinless breasts or thighs add the most flavor, but boneless or leftover cooked chicken works too.
- Olive Oil – For searing the chicken (optional, but adds great depth).
- Butter – Creates a rich base and adds flavor to the sautéed vegetables.
- Onion, Carrots, and Celery – The classic trio for a comforting, aromatic soup base.
- Garlic – Adds depth and warmth.
- Worcestershire Sauce – A subtle umami boost you’ll notice in every bite.
- Hot Sauce – Just a little kick to balance the creaminess—Frank’s is great here.
- Flour – Helps thicken the broth to a creamy, stew-like consistency.
- Chicken Broth – The heart of the soup; use low-sodium to control salt.
- Bouillon Cube – Optional, but adds a rich, savory punch if you want more intensity.
- Half and Half – Makes the broth creamy and velvety.
- Frozen Peas – Added at the end for color and sweetness.
For Seasonings
- Onion Powder – Enhances the base without overpowering.
- Dried Basil, Parsley, Thyme, and Rosemary – Earthy herbs that layer in flavor.
- Mustard Powder – A hidden gem that adds a little tang and complexity.
- Sage and Pepper – Just enough to warm everything up.
For the Dumplings
- Cake Flour or All-Purpose Flour – Cake flour gives lighter dumplings, but both work.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda – Help the dumplings rise and fluff up while they steam.
- Salt and Garlic Powder – Season the dumplings from within.
- Sugar – Just a touch for balance.
- Sour Cream and Milk – Keep the dough soft and tender.
- Butter (melted) – Adds richness and moisture to the dumpling dough.
Chicken and Dumplings
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Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 5 tbsp butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce (like Frank's)
- 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 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp each: dried basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, mustard powder
- ¼ tsp ground sage
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp sugar
- ¾ cup cold sour cream
- ¼ cup cold milk
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
1. Sear the Chicken (Optional):
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken for 3 minutes per side until lightly browned (it won’t be cooked through).
- Remove from pot, let rest 10 minutes, then dice and discard bones.
2. Make the Soup:
- In the same pot, melt butter and use a spatula to scrape up browned bits.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and the seasoning blend. Cook 1 more minute.
- Sprinkle in flour, stir to coat veggies, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add chicken broth, stirring constantly. Then slowly add half and half.
- Add bouillon cube (if using) and peas.
- Bring to a gentle simmer while preparing dumplings.
3. Make the Dumplings:
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and sugar.
- Add sour cream, milk, and melted butter. Fold together gently—don’t overmix.
4. Finish the Dish:
- Add diced chicken back to the soup and reduce heat to low.
- Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough over the top in an even layer. Spoon a little broth over each dumpling.
- Cover pot tightly and increase heat slightly. Simmer for 15 minutes (don’t lift the lid!).
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into a dumpling. If it comes out clean, they’re ready.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Tips & Notes
- Chicken: Bone-in pieces add the most flavor, but boneless works too. You can also use 3 cups of leftover cooked chicken.
- Flour: Cake flour makes fluffier dumplings, but all-purpose works fine.
- Flavor Boosters: Worcestershire and mustard powder add depth but aren’t overwhelming.
- Lower Sodium Option: Use low-sodium broth and skip the bouillon cube if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 657 kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 1410mg | Potassium: 793mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g
Vitamin A: 4678IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 3mg
- Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking raw chicken?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver. Simply shred the meat and add it to the soup base after simmering the vegetables and broth. This shortcut reduces both preparation and cooking time.
- How can I simplify the dumpling preparation?
If making dumplings from scratch feels time-consuming, consider using canned biscuit dough as a shortcut. Cut the biscuits into quarters and drop them into the simmering soup; they’ll cook through and provide a similar comforting texture.
- Is it possible to prepare this dish in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Start by sautéing the vegetables and adding them to the slow cooker along with the broth and chicken. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. For the dumplings, prepare them separately and add during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from disintegrating.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Certainly! To make the dish gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. For the dumplings, ensure you use a gluten-free flour mix and adjust the recipe accordingly.
- How can I streamline the cooking process further?
To save time, consider using pre-chopped vegetables and pre-cooked chicken. Additionally, using frozen peas instead of fresh ones can cut down on prep time. These small changes can make the cooking process much more efficient.
