Chicken and Dumplings

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This Classic Chicken and Dumplings recipe is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy homemade dumplings simmered in a rich, creamy broth. Perfect for cozy family dinners, this one-pot meal is satisfying, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make from scratch.

Recipe Information

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Servings: 6–8
  • Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Chicken Stew

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 4 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

For the Homemade Dumplings

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a lid
  • Mixing bowls
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Vegetables

Heat the butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the onion, carrots, and celery.

Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Make the Broth

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes.

Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth.

Stir in:

  • Milk or half-and-half
  • Thyme
  • Parsley
  • Bay leaf
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Bring to a gentle simmer.

Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.

Step 3: Add the Chicken

Stir in the shredded chicken and frozen peas.

Simmer for another 5 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf.

Step 4: Prepare the Dumpling Dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Add:

  • Melted butter
  • Milk
  • Chopped parsley (if using)

Mix just until combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.

Do not overmix.

Step 5: Cook the Dumplings

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the simmering stew, leaving a little space between each dumpling.

Cover the pot tightly with a lid.

Reduce the heat to low.

Cook for 15–18 minutes.

Do not lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking, as the trapped steam is essential for making them light and fluffy.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Serve hot with cracked black pepper if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this comforting dish with:

  • Buttery dinner rolls
  • Cornbread
  • Green beans
  • Garden salad
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts
  • Cranberry sauce for a holiday-style meal

Storage

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze the chicken stew (without the dumplings) for up to 3 months. Prepare fresh dumplings when reheating for the best texture.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk if the stew has thickened too much.

Tips for Success

  • Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
  • Keep the broth at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, before adding the dumplings.
  • Avoid overmixing the dumpling dough to keep the dumplings tender.
  • Resist lifting the lid while the dumplings cook.
  • Taste the broth before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Variations

Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Replace the fluffy dumplings with rolled flat dumplings made from flour, butter, and milk.

Herb Dumplings

Add chopped chives, thyme, rosemary, or dill to the dough for extra flavor.

Cheesy Dumplings

Fold ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese into the dumpling batter.

Creamier Version

Stir in ½ cup heavy cream during the final few minutes of cooking.

Vegetable-Packed Version

Add diced potatoes, corn, mushrooms, or green beans to the stew for a heartier meal.

Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 490
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 760 mg

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