Chicken and Dumplings

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🍗 Chicken and Dumplings (Classic Homemade Recipe)

This recipe makes a thick, hearty stew with tender chicken and soft, pillowy dumplings.

✅ Ingredients

For the Chicken Stew

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2–3 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (or 2–3 raw chicken breasts/thighs)
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • ½ cup heavy cream or ½ cup milk (optional for creamier broth)
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken)

For the Dumplings

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ¾ cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • Optional: 1 tbsp chopped parsley

🔥 Instructions

⭐ 1. Make the Chicken Base

  1. Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
  4. Add chicken broth, seasonings (salt, pepper, thyme, parsley), and bay leaf.
  5. If using raw chicken, add it now.
  6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked (20 minutes).
  7. Remove chicken, shred, and return to pot.
  8. To thicken:
    • Mix 2 tbsp flour with a little broth, then stir into pot.
  9. Add the cream or milk (optional).

Simmer while you make dumplings.

⭐ 2. Prepare the Dumplings

  1. In a bowl, mix:
    • Flour
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
    • Sugar
  2. Pour in melted butter and milk.
  3. Stir gently until a soft dough forms — do not overmix.

⭐ 3. Cook the Dumplings

  1. Drop spoonfuls of dough (tablespoon-size) onto the simmering stew.
  2. Cover pot with a tight lid.
  3. Do not open the lid for 12–15 minutes.
    This lets the dumplings steam and get fluffy.
  4. After 15 minutes, check one dumpling—should be cooked through and light.

⭐ 4. Finish

  • Gently stir to mix dumplings with the stew.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning (salt & pepper).
  • Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

🍽️ Serve With

  • Fresh bread
  • A green salad
  • Steamed vegetables

❤️ Tips for Perfect Dumplings

  • Don’t overwork the dough — it makes them tough
  • Keep the lid closed while cooking
  • Use buttermilk for extra fluffy dumplings
  • Add peas or corn for extra color

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