Description
A comforting classic Chicken & Dumplings recipe featuring tender chicken cooked in a flavorful broth with hearty vegetables, topped with fluffy homemade dumplings steamed to perfection. This dish is perfect for a cozy meal and pairs wonderfully with fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds), cut into pieces
- 8 cups chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup milk
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Chicken and Vegetables: Add the chicken pieces to the pot along with sliced carrots and celery. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for about 5 minutes while stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
- Simmer Chicken: Pour the chicken broth into the pot, covering the chicken fully. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30-40 minutes until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Prepare Shredded Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot carefully and let cool slightly. Discard the skin and bones, then shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the broth in the pot.
- Make Dumpling Dough: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add melted butter and milk, mixing just until combined. Dough should remain slightly lumpy; do not overmix.
- Drop Dumplings: Using a spoon, drop pieces of dumpling dough onto the simmering chicken mixture, spacing them so they do not touch.
- Steam Dumplings: Cover the pot tightly and let dumplings steam for 15-20 minutes until fluffy and cooked through. Do not lift the lid during this time to preserve steam.
- Adjust Seasoning: Once dumplings are done, taste the broth and add additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired, for a comforting, hearty meal.
Notes
- Using low-sodium broth allows better control over the saltiness of the dish.
- Do not overmix dumpling dough to ensure light, fluffy dumplings.
- Avoid lifting the lid while dumplings cook to maintain necessary steam.
- Leftover chicken broth can be used to enhance flavor; homemade is preferable for richer taste.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds color and a fresh herbal note.
