Have you ever craved a warm, hearty bowl of chicken and dumplings that melts in your mouth and warms your soul? This chicken dumpling recipe brings authentic Southern comfort to your kitchen with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings from scratch, and a rich, creamy broth that's simply irresistible. Making this classic dish at home allows you to control ingredients, avoid preservatives, and create a wholesome meal that feeds both body and soul. Whether you're cooking for family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this foolproof recipe delivers restaurant-quality results every single time.

Ingredients List

For the Chicken and Broth:

    • 2 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
    • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
    • 2 medium carrots, diced
    • 2 celery stalks, diced
    • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • Salt and black pepper to taste
    • Optional: 1 cup frozen peas for added color

For the Dumplings:

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
    • 1 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: 50 minutes

Total time: 70 minutes

This recipe is perfect for Sunday meal prep or a cozy weeknight dinner. While it takes just over an hour, most of the cooking is hands-off simmering time, making it easier than you'd think.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Base In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, combine chicken, broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 25-30 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender. Tip: Don't rush the simmering—low and slow creates deeper flavors.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken Remove chicken from pot and let cool for 5 minutes. Shred using two forks, discarding bones. Return shredded chicken to the pot. Pro tip: Save some broth separately if you prefer a thicker consistency—you can always thin it later.

Step 3: Make the Dumpling Dough While chicken simmers, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gently stir in milk and parsley until just combined—don't overmix! The dough should be sticky but manageable. This chicken dumpling recipe relies on tender dumplings, so treat the dough gently.

Step 4: Drop the Dumplings Bring the chicken mixture back to a gentle boil. Using two spoons, drop heaping tablespoons of dumpling batter onto the simmering broth, spacing them slightly apart. Important: Don't stir after adding dumplings—let them steam undisturbed.

Step 5: Steam and Finish Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid. The steam cooks the dumplings from scratch to fluffy perfection. After cooking, remove bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 6):

    • Calories: 385
    • Protein: 32g
    • Carbohydrates: 38g
    • Fat: 11g
    • Fiber: 3g
    • Vitamin A: 45% DV
    • Iron: 18% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Dietary Swaps: - Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for dumplings - Dairy-Free: Substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk - Lower-Fat Option: Use chicken breast only and reduce butter to 2 tablespoons

Flavor Variations: - Add ½ cup heavy cream for extra richness - Incorporate fresh herbs like rosemary or sage - Use rotisserie chicken to cut prep time in half

Cooking Tips: - For thicker stew, mix 3 tablespoons cornstarch with ¼ cup cold water and stir into broth before adding dumplings - Make dumplings smaller for more "bites" throughout the dish - Let dough rest 5 minutes before dropping for fluffier texture

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Overmixing Dumpling Dough Overmixing develops gluten, creating tough, dense dumplings. Mix only until ingredients are just combined—lumps are okay!

Mistake 2: Lifting the Lid While Dumplings Cook Peeking releases essential steam needed to cook dumplings through. Keep that lid on for the full 15-18 minutes.

Mistake 3: Boiling Too Vigorously A rolling boil breaks apart delicate dumplings. Maintain a gentle simmer for intact, fluffy results.

Mistake 4: Using Low-Quality Broth Broth is the flavor foundation. Use homemade or premium store-bought broth—it makes a noticeable difference.

Mistake 5: Skipping the Resting Time Let the dish sit 5 minutes after cooking. This allows dumplings to firm up slightly and flavors to meld beautifully.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store leftover chicken dumpling recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Note that dumplings from scratch will absorb liquid over time, so you may need to add extra broth when reheating.

Refrigerator Storage: Transfer cooled leftovers to glass or BPA-free plastic containers within 2 hours of cooking.

Freezer Storage: Freeze for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. Leave 1 inch of headspace for expansion. Be aware that dumplings may become slightly softer after freezing.

Reheating Instructions: - Stovetop: Reheat gently over medium-low heat, adding ½ cup broth or water to restore consistency, stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes. - Microwave: Heat individual portions in 1-minute intervals, stirring between, adding a splash of broth to maintain moisture.

Avoid reheating more than once to preserve texture and food safety. This Southern classic tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop overnight!