Best Chicken & Dumplings | Kitchenstagram
Indulge in the warmth of comfort with this effortless chicken and dumpling recipe, a culinary symphony that transforms chilly days into moments of pure bliss. This beloved dish is the epitome of simplicity, requiring just everyday ingredients that likely reside in your kitchen.
Picture a steaming bowl filled with a creamy chicken soup, generously laden with hearty vegetables and adorned with irresistibly fluffy homemade dumplings. The magic lies in its humble yet harmonious components, promising a top-tier dining experience that captivates the taste buds.
Ideal for fall and winter weather, this dish provides the ultimate warmth and nourishment. Crafted from scratch, it utilizes techniques to ensure tender chicken, flavourful soup and airy dumplings that steams to perfection. Whether you are seeking comfort on a cold evening or a satisfy meal year-round, this chicken and dumpling recipe delivers.
Reminiscent of Southern comfort, this dish holds a special place in the heart of many. Memories of enjoying it on beach trips or after long day of summer fun add to its nostalgic appeal. So, whether you are huddling up on a winter evening or craving a taste of home any time of year, this chicken and dumpling recipe promises to satisfy your cravings with its comforting flavours and heart-warming simplicity.
What are chicken and dumplings:
Chicken and Dumplings is a cherished comfort dish originating from the Southern US. This heart-warming delicacy features a rich chicken soup with vegetables, enveloped in a creamy broth. This dish’s distinctive touch comes from dumplings crafted out of biscuit dough. These uncooked dumpling rest on the simmering soup, gradually steaming to perfection. The culinary master piece is renowned for its affordability, utilizing simple ingredients to create a satisfying and flavoursome and flavoursome meal. The thickness of the soup and the type of dumplings employed can vary, but the essence of this beloved classic lies in its deliciously cozy and filling nature.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
Dumplings come in various forms, adding delightful diversity to culinary traditions. In the realm of Chicken and Dumplings, three prominent types shine through:
Drop Dumplings: The simplest, where dough is scooped directly from the bowl and dropped into the simmering soup, allowing for an easy and rustic preparation.
Rolled Dumplings: In this method, the dough is meticulously rolled out, cut into distinct shapes, and then cooked in the flavourful broth, adding a touch of sophistication to the dish.
Biscuit Dumplings: Whether crafted from scratch or utilizing store-bought versions, biscuit dough is cut into smaller pieces and introduced to the soup, creating a heartier and comforting texture.
Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings:
Chicken and Dumplings is a classic comfort food dish that combines rich, creamy chicken soup with fluffy homemade dumplings. Here are some ingredient notes and tips for both component of the recipe:
Chicken soup:
Vegetables: A mixture of Carrot peas and celery forms the flavour base and adds colour and texture.
Onions: I love to use red onions for its flavour. But you can also use yellow, white or sweet onions.
Garlic: Garlic adds savory flavour to the soup.
Chicken: Chicken thighs are recommended for their tenderness and moisture, but chicken breasts can be used. Be cautious not to overcook the chicken. Fresh chicken or pre-cooked options like rotisserie chicken are suitable.
Butter: Butter contributes creaminess and richness to the dish.
Flour: Flour is used to thicken the soup and enhance flavour.
Chicken Broth: Homemade or store-bought chicken broth can be used.
Milk: milk adds tons of flavour and a creamy finish to the dish.
Heavy cream: Imparts richness to the soup. Half-and-half or whole milk can be substituted for a lighter option.
Spices & Herbs: Seasonings include salt, pepper, dried thyme, bay leaves, parsley and additional thyme. Fresh thyme can be substituted for dried thyme.
Dumplings:
All -purpose Flour: The base for dumplings. Cake flour can be used as an alternative.
Baking powder: Do not substitute with baking soda. Baking powder is essential for dumpling texture.
Seasonings: Freshly cracked pepper, salt and thyme enhance the flavour of the dumplings.
Milk: Whole milk is preferred for the dumplings batter, but 2% milk is a suitable alternative. Avoid fat-free or skim milk for a softer and moisture dumplings.
Butter: Melted butter adds richness to the dumplings.
Serving Suggestion:
Enhance your chicken and dumplings experience with complements sides. Opt for steamed broccoli, sautéed greens, or roasted Brussels sprouts for a burst of green goodness. Alternatively, a crisp, simple salad makes a refreshing accompaniment. Elevate your meal with these delightful and easy-to-prepare side dishes.
Make ahead tips:
For a convenient meal, prepare homemade chicken and dumplings ahead of time with these make-ahead tips. To streamline the process, you can make the broth and cook the chicken up to three days beforehand. When ready to serve, reheat the broth, incorporate carrots and celery and then whip up your dumpling batter. For a stress-free dining experience, make the chicken and broth portion 1-3 days in advance, reserving the dumplings for the final touch. When ready to indulge, simply reheat on the stove, bring to a simmer and add the dumplings. Enjoy a delicious and time-efficient homemade meal.
Storage Tips:
Refrigeration: For optimal freshness, store your delectable chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator, savouring their flavours for up to 4 days.
Freezing: You can freeze the Chicken and Dumplings for up to 3 months. When the craving strikes, patiently thaw these homemade delights in the fridge overnight.
Reheating: Reheat over low heat on the stove or in the microwave, ensuring an even reheating. Add a splash of liquid if needed, allowing the savoury concoction to bubble and revive, ready to delight your taste buds once more.
Ingredients
Chicken Soup:
2 tbsp Olive oil
250 gm Chicken, sliced
2 tsp Black pepper powder
Salt to taste
1 no. Onion (diced)
2 nos. Carrot (diced)
2 sticks Celery (diced)
1/2 cup Green Pea
2 tbsp Butter
2 tbsp All purpose flour
2 cup Chicken Broth
1 cup Heavy cream
1 no. Bay leaf
1 tbsp Coriander leaves, chopped
Dumplings:
2 cups All-purpose Flour
1 tbsp+1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Black pepper powder
Salt to taste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp Coriander leaves, chopped
4 tbsp Butter, melted
3/4 cup Milk
Preparation
Chicken Soup:
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a pot or Dutch oven, then add chicken, Black pepper powder and salt and cook for 4-5 minutes on medium-high heat, until a little bit of brown colour has developed. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Step 2: In the remaining oil add diced onion, carrot and celery and cook for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Melt butter in one side of the Dutch oven. Then add garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Then add flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Step 5: Add the chicken broth, heavy cream and green peas, combine everything properly.
- Step 6: Next add salt, black pepper powder and fried chicken, mix well.
- Step 7: Then add bay leaf and dried thyme and combine everything. Bring to a gentle boil and let it simmer, uncovered, while you make the dumplings.
Dumpling making:
- Step 8: Combine flour, baking powder, salt & pepper, Italian seasoning, chopped coriander leaves, mix everything properly.
- Step 9: Then add melted Butter and Milk. Use a folding motion to combine and form a dough, but don’t over mix or they will be dense.
- Step 10: Now, lower the flame, use a spoon to scoop and carefully drop the dumplings over the simmering soup in an even layer. Spoon a little liquid over each of them.
- Step 11: Cover and cook on low heat, for 15 minutes or until the dumplings are done. To check doneness of the dumplings, scoop out a dumpling to check for doneness. If still doughy, cover and cook for a few minutes, until tender.
- Step 12: Then add fresh chopped coriander and mix well. Turn off the heat.
- Step 13: Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot Enjoy!!
Pro tips:
For a quick and delightful dinner, consider using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store.
However, if you opt to cook the chicken from scratch, chicken thighs are recommended for their rich flavour.
Browning the chicken enhances stew flavour. Searing caramelizes proteins, adding depth and more richer and robust taste to the soup.
As you simmer the soup, be attentive to its gentle bubbling while the biscuits are in the oven. A subtle simmer is key, just enough to steam the dumplings without risking the soup’s bottom burning. Avoid lifting the lid during dumpling cooking to ensure proper steaming.
Feel free to use leftover chicken.
Avoid crafting oversized dumplings, they’ll double in size during cooking and larger ones will require more time to cook properly.
About Me
DEBJANI MONDAL
Welcome to Kitchenstagram, the home of delicious recipes, culinary inspiration and cooking adventures. I’m Debjani and I’m thrilled to be your guide through the wonderful world of food. I’m a self-taught professional baker, home chef, recipe developer, author of Kitchenstagram and an aspiring YouTuber.
My passion for food and cooking began at a very young age, when I would watch my mom and dad cook for me and my brother. My dad, in particular is a great cook whose culinary skills made a lasting impression on me. My dad would cook up a storm on special occasions by cooking variety of dishes, from delicious biriyani to samosa, fish fry, rasgullas and kachoris (sweet & spicy deep fried pastry with filling of lentils, meat or fish…>>>>>
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