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Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

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Nothing beats a bowl of completely Homemade Chicken and Dumplings. Tender chicken, soft, fluffy dumplings, and a creamy, flavorful gravy make this a comforting, hearty meal. Made from scratch with simple ingredients, this chicken and dumplings recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again.

Chicken and dumplings has its origins in the Southern United States, though variations of the comfort food dish can be found across the country.

A green bowl filled with homemade chicken and dumplings topped with cracked black pepper.

Why You Should Make This Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

  • Homemade Comfort Food: There’s something special about making Chicken and Dumplings from scratch. From browning the chicken to making the dumplings by hand, this dish brings a level of comfort that store-bought versions just can’t match.
  • Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With just bone-in chicken, butter, garlic, flour, and some simple seasonings, you can create a deeply flavorful broth and tender dumplings. No complicated ingredients, just good, honest food.
  • Perfect for Cold Days or When You Crave Comfort: This Southern dish is warming and hearty, making it ideal for chilly days or when you need something comforting. The creamy broth and pillowy dumplings are the perfect combination for a cozy meal.
  • Easy to customize: Want to add veggies like carrots or peas? You can! This homemade chicken and dumplings recipe can easily be adjusted to fit your tastes and preferences.

Ingredients

  • Bone-In Chicken Breasts: Easily substitute with chicken thighs, boneless breasts, or shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • Yellow or White Onion: Substitute with shallots or leeks for a slightly different flavor.
  • Chicken Stock: Swap with water with bouillon cubes for similar results.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Use half-and-half or evaporated milk as a lighter alternative.
  • Chicken Base: Any chicken base will work in this homemade chicken and dumplings recipe.
  • Self-Rising Flour: To make homemade, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 3 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
  • Butter (for the dumplings): Easily substituted with cold shortening or margarine for a similar texture.

How to Make Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry. Combine the flour, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl or plate. Dredge the chicken in the flour to coat.
  2. Heat the oil and butter in a Dutch oven or deep pot. Lightly brown the chicken on all sides. Remove onto a plate.
  3. Add the minced garlic, onion, celery, and bay leaves to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes.
  4. Add the chicken back to the pot. Pour in the chicken stock.
  5. Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to medium and cook until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes.
  6. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dumpling dough (see below).
  7. Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove and shred it. Remove the bay leaves and celery from the pot.
  8. Pour in the heavy cream and mix in the chicken base. Allow to heat through. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.
  9. Slowly add the dumplings with the extra flour into the pot. Gently stir. Cover and cook the dumplings on medium until they are no longer doughy, about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  10. Taste for salt.
  11. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with cracked black pepper.

How to Make Dumplings

  1. In a bowl, add the self-rising flour and salt.
  2. Toss in the cold, diced butter and incorporate it into the flour with your hands until the butter is fully mixed in.
  3. Slowly add in the cold milk to form a soft dough, adjusting the amount of milk or flour as needed.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a flat, floured surface and roll to 1/4″ thickness.
  5. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 3/4″ squares.
  6. Toss the dumplings in the extra flour on the work surface to prevent sticking.

How to Serve and Store Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

Serve the Chicken and Dumplings alone, or pair with any of the following:

  • Crusty bread: A slice of warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the creamy broth.
  • Simple green salad: A light salad adds a refreshing contrast to the hearty Chicken and Dumplings.
  • Steamed vegetables: Add a side of steamed broccoli or carrots.

Storing Leftovers:

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover Chicken and Dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You may need to add a bit of broth or cream to maintain the consistency.
  • Freeze: Freeze the chicken and broth separately from the dumplings for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

More Creamy Chicken Recipes to Love

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A green bowl filled with homemade chicken and dumplings topped with cracked black pepper.

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings


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Description

This Homemade Chicken and Dumplings recipe features tender chicken, with soft and fluffy dumplings, in a creamy, flavorful gravy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 bone-in chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 yellow or white onion, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 stalk celery, cut into three pieces
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5 cups chicken stock, plus
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base
  • Cracked black pepper, for garnish

For the Dumplings

  • 2 cups self-rising flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cold butter, diced
  • 3/4 cup cold milk

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry. Combine the flour, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl or plate. Dredge the chicken in the flour to coat.
  2. Heat the oil and butter in a Dutch oven or deep pot. Lightly brown the chicken on all sides. Remove onto a plate.
  3. Add the minced garlic, onion, celery, and bay leaves to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes.
  4. Add the chicken back to the pot. Pour in the chicken stock.
  5. Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to medium and cook until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes.
  6. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dumpling dough. In a bowl, add the flour and salt. Toss in the cold, diced butter and incorporate it into the flour with your hands until the butter is fully incorporated.
  7. Slowly add in the milk to form a soft dough. If the dough is too wet, add a touch more flour. If too dry, incorporate a touch more milk.
  8. Turn the dough out onto a flat, floured surface. Roll to 1/4″ thickness. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 3/4″ squares. Toss the dumplings in the extra flour on the work surface.
  9. Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove and shred it. Remove the bay leaves and celery from the pot.
  10. Pour in the heavy cream and add the chicken base. Allow to heat through. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot. 
  11. If needed, add in a touch more chicken stock.
  12. Slowly add the dumplings with the extra flour into the pot. Gently stir. Cover and cook the dumplings on medium until they are no longer doughy, about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  13. Taste for salt.
  14. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with cracked black pepper.
  15. ENJOY!
@charlottefashionplate

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe! Nothing beats a bowl of Homemade Chicken and Dumplings. It’s the ultimate in comfort food. Tender chicken, soft, fluffy dumplings, and a creamy, flavorful gravy make this a comforting, hearty meal. Made from scratch with simple ingredients, this chicken and dumplings recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again. #chicken #chickenanddumplings #chickenrecipe #winnerwinnerchickendinner #comfortfood #easyrecipe #dinnerideas #foodtiktok

♬ show me how – <3

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken and brown on both sides to add more flavor and depth to the broth.
  • Easily substitute the bone-in chicken breasts with chicken thighs or boneless chicken breasts.
  • If using a shredded rotisserie chicken, skip browning the chicken. 
  • Don’t overcook the chicken to prevent it from becoming tough. Cook until just tender.
  • Use cold butter and milk when making the dumplings.
  • Slowly incorporate the milk into the flour to make the dumpling dough. If the dough is too wet, slowly incorporate more flour. If the dough is to dry, add a touch more milk. 
  • Roll the dumplings to an even 1/4-inch thickness for consistent cooking.
  • Toss the dumplings in flour to help thicken the broth as they cook.
  • If needed, add a touch more stock to the pot after simmering the chicken.
  • Simmer the dumplings gently instead of boiling to prevent them from falling apart.
  • Taste the broth after cooking the dumplings and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  • Add vegetables like carrots, peas, or green beans, if desired.
 
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Moderate
  • Cuisine: American

GET TO KNOW ME!

A photo of me in a black floral dress cooking at the stovetop at Williams-Sonoma

WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!

In addition, I’m so very excited to announce I have published my first e-book and paperback, “Mastering Thanksgiving – A Guide to Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dinner.” Your support would mean the world to me.

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