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Chicken and Dumplings

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Chicken and Dumplings is a comforting Southern classic made with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a rich creamy broth topped with fluffy, pillowy dumplings. It’s a warm, filling dish that’s perfect for cozy family meals.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or milk
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

For the Dumplings:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp cold butter, cubed
  • 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Heat butter or oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
  2. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
  3. Add chicken, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour in broth and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 20–25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  5. Remove chicken, shred, and return to pot.
  6. Whisk flour with cold water to make a slurry. Stir into pot and simmer 5 minutes to thicken.
  7. Stir in cream or milk and bring back to a gentle simmer.
  8. For dumplings: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in milk until dough just comes together.
  9. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto simmering stew. Cover and cook 15–20 minutes without lifting the lid, until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
  10. Adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

  • Do not overmix dumpling dough—keep it just combined for fluffy texture.
  • Keep the lid on while cooking dumplings to steam them properly.
  • Chicken thighs add more flavor and stay juicier than breasts.
  • For shortcuts, use rotisserie chicken and canned biscuit dough.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/chicken-and-dumplings-2/