Experience the ultimate comfort food with this old-fashioned homemade chicken and dumplings recipe. Tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings come together to create a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for family dinners. This timeless classic is sure to bring warmth and joy to your table. Ready to enjoy a bowl of nostalgia?
Ingredients:
- For the chicken and broth:
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs), cut into pieces
- 8 cups water
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- For the dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup whole milk
Directions:
- Prepare the chicken and broth: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken pieces, water, chopped onion, celery, carrots, minced garlic, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Discard the bay leaves. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding the skin and bones. Set the shredded chicken aside.
- Strain the broth: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, discarding the solids. Return the strained broth to the pot and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
- Make the dumplings: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually stir in the whole milk until a soft dough forms.
- Cook the dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering broth. Cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
- Combine and serve: Add the shredded chicken back to the pot, stirring gently to combine. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through. Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Conclusion and Tips: This old-fashioned homemade chicken and dumplings recipe is the perfect way to enjoy a comforting and hearty meal with your loved ones. For an extra touch of flavor, try adding a splash of heavy cream to the broth. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. We’d love to hear how this recipe becomes a favorite in your home!
Do you have a special twist on this chicken and dumplings recipe? Share your tips and variations in the comments below. Let’s bring comfort and warmth to every bowl together!