Chicken & Dumplings | Classic Comfort Food Recipe

The Ultimate Comfort Meal

Few dishes bring the same warmth and nostalgia as Chicken & Dumplings. Creamy, hearty, and loaded with tender chicken and fluffy dumplings, this dish is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings.

This classic recipe features a savory chicken broth enriched with milk and butter, tender vegetables, and soft dumplings made from scratch. It’s a one-pot meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in or a Sunday family dinner, this Chicken & Dumplings recipe promises warmth, satisfaction, and smiles at the table.


Why This Recipe Works

1. One-Pot Convenience

Everything cooks together, making cleanup easier while allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

2. Tender Chicken & Fluffy Dumplings

Simmering the chicken ensures moist, tender meat while the dumplings absorb the creamy broth for maximum comfort.

3. Flavorful Vegetables & Herbs

Carrots, celery, and fresh herbs enhance the broth, creating a rich, layered flavor profile.


Ingredients Overview

For the Chicken & Broth

  • Chicken breasts or thighs – tender and flavorful
  • Carrots, celery, and onion – classic mirepoix
  • Chicken broth – base of the soup
  • Butter – adds richness
  • Milk – for creamy broth
  • Fresh parsley and thyme – garnish and flavor

For the Dumplings

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Milk
  • Butter

Step-by-Step Preparation

  1. Cook the chicken – Simmer chicken in broth with vegetables and herbs until tender. Remove, shred, and set aside.
  2. Prepare dumpling dough – Combine flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and butter to form a soft dough.
  3. Return chicken to pot – Shred cooked chicken and add back to the simmering broth.
  4. Drop dumplings – Spoon small portions of dough into simmering broth.
  5. Simmer until dumplings are cooked – About 15 minutes, covered, without stirring.
  6. Finish and serve – Garnish with fresh parsley, adjust seasoning, and serve hot.

Tips for Perfect Chicken & Dumplings

  • Don’t stir dumplings – Stirring can make them dense; let them steam gently.
  • Use bone-in chicken – Adds more flavor to the broth.
  • Season gradually – Taste and adjust seasoning as the dish cooks.
  • Serve immediately – Dumplings are best fresh and fluffy.

INGREDIENTS

  • – 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs
  • – 4 cups chicken broth
  • – 2 carrots, diced
  • – 2 celery stalks, diced
  • – 1 small onion, diced
  • – 3 tbsp butter
  • – 1 cup milk
  • – 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • – 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • – Salt and pepper, to taste

Dumplings:

  • – 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • – 2 tsp baking powder
  • – ½ tsp salt
  • – ½ cup milk
  • – 3 tbsp butter, melted

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. In a large pot, combine chicken, carrots, celery, onion, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer 20 minutes until chicken is cooked.
  2. Remove chicken, shred it, and set aside. Strain broth if desired.
  3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter to form a soft dough.
  4. Return shredded chicken to simmering broth.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into simmering broth. Cover and cook 15 minutes without stirring.
  6. Add milk and butter for a creamy consistency. Adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley and thyme. Serve hot.

Chicken & Dumplings

Classic comfort food with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a creamy vegetable broth. Perfect for family dinners and cozy nights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Chicken & Broth
  • 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste
Dumplings
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup milk
  • 3 tbsp butter, melted

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk or spatula
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. In a large pot, combine chicken, carrots, celery, onion, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer 20 minutes until chicken is cooked.
  2. Remove chicken, shred it, and set aside. Strain broth if desired.
  3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter to form a soft dough.
  4. Return shredded chicken to simmering broth.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into simmering broth. Cover and cook 15 minutes without stirring.
  6. Add milk and butter for a creamy consistency. Adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley and thyme. Serve hot.

Notes

Best served fresh. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

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