Chicken and Dumplings
A cozy and comforting dish featuring tender chicken in a creamy broth and fluffy dumplings that soak up all the flavor.
Ingredients
For the broth
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth (Using low sodium helps control salt.)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots sliced thin (Optional but adds sweetness.)
- 2 stalks celery, sliced (Optional.)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt (Plus more to taste.)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (Plus more to taste.)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning (Optional.)
- 1/3 cup flour (For thickening.)
- 1 cup milk or half and half (For creaminess.)
- 2 cups frozen peas (Optional, add at the end.)
For the dumplings
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 3/4 to 1 cup milk (Add slowly to achieve a thick, sticky dough.)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a big pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until the onion looks soft. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until it smells good.
- Add the chicken, broth, salt, pepper, thyme, and poultry seasoning if using. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Turn the heat down and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 18 to 22 minutes.
- Pull the chicken out onto a plate and shred it with two forks. Set it aside.
- Sprinkle in the flour while you whisk or stir constantly to thicken the broth. Let it cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the milk or half and half and stir until creamy.
- Add the shredded chicken back into the pot. Taste the broth and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Dumpling Preparation
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in melted butter, then add milk a bit at a time until it looks like a thick, sticky dough.
- Drop dumplings onto the simmering soup using a spoon. Cover the pot and keep at a gentle simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Uncover and gently stir. Add peas if desired and let them warm through for 2 minutes. Dumplings should look set and feel fluffy.
Notes
For variations, try using rotisserie chicken for a quick dinner. A splash of lemon juice can brighten flavors, and adding fresh herbs or a bit of spice enhances the dish. Keep a gentle simmer to avoid overcooking dumplings.