Have you ever craved a warm, soul-soothing meal that feels like a hug in a bowl? There's nothing quite like a steaming serving of chicken and dumplings recipe to chase away the chill and bring comfort to your table. Making this classic dish at home allows you to control the ingredients, adjust flavors to your preference, and create a homemade chicken and dumplings recipe that rivals any restaurant version. The beauty of this hearty meal lies in its simplicity—tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and rich broth come together to create magic in your kitchen.

Ingredients List

    • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
    • 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
    • 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
    • 3 medium carrots, diced
    • 3 celery stalks, diced
    • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 2 bay leaves
    • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Dumplings:

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
    • ¾ cup whole milk
    • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
    • Optional: ½ teaspoon garlic powder for extra flavor

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Total time: 65 minutes

This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner when you need something substantial without spending hours in the kitchen. Most of the cooking is hands-off simmering time, giving you freedom to prepare side dishes or relax.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Base In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until softened. This foundational step builds deep flavor for your chicken and dumplings recipe. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken Add chicken pieces to the pot along with chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is fully cooked. Remove chicken, shred it with two forks, and set aside. Pro tip: Don't discard the cooking liquid—it's now a flavorful broth base.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Base Sprinkle flour over the vegetables in the pot, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in milk or cream, stirring until the mixture thickens slightly. This creates that signature creamy texture.

Step 4: Make the Dumplings In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk and parsley just until combined—don't overmix, or dumplings will be tough. The dough should be slightly sticky.

Step 5: Assemble and Finish Return shredded chicken to the pot. Drop dumpling dough by heaping tablespoons onto the simmering liquid, spacing them evenly. Cover tightly and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid—steam is essential for fluffy dumplings. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 6):

    • Calories: 485
    • Protein: 38g
    • Carbohydrates: 42g
    • Fat: 18g
    • Fiber: 3g
    • Vitamin C: 12% DV
    • Iron: 20% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for both the dumplings and thickening agent.

Dairy-Free Swap: Use coconut milk or cashew cream instead of dairy milk, and replace butter with olive oil or vegan butter.

Slow Cooker Method: Cook chicken and vegetables on low for 6 hours, then add dumplings during the last 30 minutes on high.

Flavor Boosters: Add a splash of white wine when sautéing vegetables, or stir in fresh herbs like rosemary or sage for an aromatic twist.

Meal Prep: Prepare the chicken stew base up to 2 days ahead, then make fresh dumplings when ready to serve for optimal texture.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Opening the Lid During Dumpling Cooking: Steam escape prevents dumplings from rising properly. Resist the urge to peek for the full 15 minutes.

Overmixing Dumpling Dough: This develops gluten, resulting in dense, chewy dumplings instead of light and fluffy ones. Mix just until ingredients are combined.

Using Pre-Cooked Chicken: Starting with raw chicken infuses the broth with richer flavor. Rotisserie chicken works in a pinch but won't deliver the same depth.

Crowding the Pot: Leave space between dumplings so they have room to expand. They'll nearly double in size during cooking.

Thin Broth Consistency: If your base seems watery, let it simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes before adding dumplings to concentrate flavors.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your homemade chicken and dumplings recipe leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Note that dumplings will absorb liquid over time, so you may need to add extra broth when reheating. For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding ¼ cup broth or milk to restore creaminess.

Freezing isn't ideal for this chicken and dumplings recipe, as dumplings become mushy upon thawing. If you must freeze, store only the chicken stew base (without dumplings) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat to a simmer, then prepare fresh dumplings to add before serving. This ensures you'll enjoy the perfect texture every time.