Description
Hearty Southern Chicken and Dumplings weave comfort and nostalgia into each spoonful of rich, creamy broth. Homemade tender dumplings and succulent chicken create a classic dish that wraps you in warmth and memories of grandmother’s loving kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- ½ to ¾ pound boneless chicken fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 ½ cups chicken stock
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
- ½ cup celery, chopped
- ½ cup onion, diced
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ tablespoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dry thyme
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (3 tablespoons for stew, 1 tablespoon for dumplings)
- 1 large bay leaf
Seasonings, Fats, and Dry Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for dumplings)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup half and half
- ½ cup half and half (for dumplings)
Instructions
- Create a flavor foundation by heating olive oil in a robust soup pot, then introduce chicken pieces seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Brown the meat thoroughly, ensuring rich caramelization, and transfer to a waiting plate.
- Utilize the same pot’s residual oils to sauté aromatic vegetables – carrots, celery, and onions – incorporating fragrant thyme. Allow the vegetables to soften and release their natural sweetness.
- Reduce heat and melt butter, transforming the vegetable base into a golden roux by sprinkling flour and stirring consistently until the mixture becomes nutty and smooth.
- Slowly incorporate chicken stock and half and half, creating a velvety liquid base. Reintroduce the reserved chicken and add a bay leaf for depth of flavor. Elevate the temperature to achieve a gentle boil, then reduce to a tender simmer.
- Enhance the dish’s vibrancy by folding in frozen peas and freshly chopped parsley, allowing them to meld with the simmering liquid and infuse additional layers of taste.
- Craft delicate dumplings by combining flour, baking powder, salt, and parsley. Gradually integrate half and half to form a pillowy batter with a soft, substantial texture.
- Gently drop spoonfuls of dumpling mixture into the bubbling pot, ensuring even distribution. Cover and allow the dumplings to steam and expand, absorbing the rich surrounding flavors until perfectly cooked.
Notes
- Elevate your comfort food game with this hearty chicken and dumplings recipe that brings warmth and nostalgia to your dinner table.
- Perfectly seasoned chicken and tender vegetables create a rich, flavorful base that serves as the foundation for fluffy, homemade dumplings.
- Achieve a silky-smooth texture by carefully creating a roux, which thickens the broth and adds depth to every spoonful.
- Frozen peas provide a burst of color and subtle sweetness, while fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note to the dish.
- Cooking dumplings directly in the simmering pot allows them to absorb the delicious flavors of the chicken and vegetables, ensuring maximum taste in every bite.
- Make ahead and reheat gently, as this dish tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg