Description
Make classic, hearty Southern Chicken and Dumplings with fluffy drop dumplings on the stovetop. This recipe delivers true comfort food flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- 1/2 cup cold water (for slurry)
- For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Place the chicken, chicken broth, carrot, celery, onion, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper into a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Discard the bay leaf.
- Shred the cooked chicken using two forks and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering broth mixture until the liquid thickens slightly.
- While the broth simmers, prepare the dumplings: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pour in the milk and stir just until combined to form a shaggy dough. Do not overmix.
- Drop the dumpling dough by rounded tablespoons directly onto the surface of the simmering chicken mixture. Do not overcrowd the pot; work quickly.
- Cover the pot tightly, reduce the heat to low, and cook the dumplings without lifting the lid for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before serving hot.
Notes
- For richer flavor, use a mix of chicken broth and water.
- If you prefer a creamier stew, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream after the dumplings are cooked.
- You can substitute frozen mixed vegetables for the fresh carrots and celery for a quicker prep time.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 110