Description
Southern comfort shines through this classic Chicken and Dumplings dish, offering hearty warmth with tender chicken and pillowy dough. Grandma’s treasured recipe delivers rich, creamy goodness you’ll savor down to the last comforting spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 4 cups chicken broth
Vegetables:
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 onion
- 3 garlic cloves
Dumpling and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Poach chicken in rich, flavorful broth until meat becomes tender and easily separates, then carefully shred into bite-sized pieces.
- In a separate pan, gently sauté chopped vegetables until they become translucent and slightly softened, releasing their natural aromatics.
- Combine shredded chicken with sautéed vegetables in the warm broth, creating a harmonious base for the comforting dish.
- Prepare dumpling mixture by blending flour, baking powder, milk, and melted butter into a soft, slightly sticky dough with minimal handling.
- Using a spoon, delicately drop dollops of dumpling mixture into the simmering broth, ensuring even spacing for proper cooking.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow dumplings to steam and expand for approximately 15 minutes at a gentle simmer.
- Verify dumplings are fully cooked by inserting a toothpick, which should come out clean and dry.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and herbs to enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Ladle the steaming chicken and dumplings into warm bowls, serving immediately for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Choose a rich, homemade chicken broth for deeper flavor complexity and more authentic taste.
- Swap traditional vegetables with seasonal produce like parsnips or leeks for unique flavor profiles.
- Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
- Substitute chicken with turkey or plant-based protein for diverse dietary needs while maintaining the dish’s comforting essence.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg