Nothing says Southern comfort food like a big bowl of homemade Chicken & Dumplings! ❤️ Tender chicken, soft, fluffy dumplings, and a rich, creamy broth come together in this old-fashioned family favorite. Just like Grandma used to make, it’s warm, hearty, and perfect for a cozy dinner!
Ingredients:
For the chicken soup:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
6 cups chicken broth
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons butter
½ cup heavy cream (optional)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For the dumplings:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cold butter
¾ cup milk
Method:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic.
Add the chicken, chicken broth, thyme, poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.
Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the broth.
To make the dumplings, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually stir in the milk until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough directly into the broth, leaving a little space between them.
Cover the pot and cook for 15–18 minutes without lifting the lid, until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.
Gently stir in the heavy cream, if using, and add the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot with warm biscuits or crusty bread. Enjoy every comforting bite! 😋
Tip: Keep the broth at a gentle simmer while the dumplings cook. Avoid stirring too much, as this can break the dumplings apart.