Description
Hearty chicken and dumplings showcase Southern comfort cuisine with tender meat and pillowy flour dumplings. Grandma’s classic dish promises warmth and satisfaction for hungry families seeking genuine home-cooked goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or 2 boneless chicken breasts
Vegetables:
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm a large pot over medium heat with butter or olive oil, gently sautéing onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until they become tender and fragrant.
- Introduce chicken, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Allow the mixture to reach a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Extract the chicken from the liquid, carefully remove skin and bones, then shred the meat into bite-sized pieces and return to the simmering broth.
- Prepare dumpling mixture by combining flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Incorporate milk, melted butter, and chopped parsley to create a cohesive dough.
- Gently drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering liquid, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing dumplings to become fluffy and fully cooked.
- Discard the bay leaf, sprinkle fresh parsley on top for added flavor and visual appeal, then serve the hot, comforting dish immediately.
Notes
- Select bone-in chicken for richer, more flavorful broth that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme and parsley to elevate the dumpling’s aroma and provide a bright, fresh flavor profile.
- Allow dumplings to rest briefly after cooking to ensure they maintain their fluffy texture and absorb the savory broth.
- Swap whole milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version that remains creamy and delicious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg