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Classic Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Easy Homemade from Scratch

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A comforting Southern classic featuring tender chicken simmered in a creamy broth with fluffy homemade dumplings. Perfect for cozy family dinners and chilly nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk, room temperature (dairy-free milk works too)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Place chicken thighs in a large Dutch oven. Add 6 cups chicken broth, 2 bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Skim any foam that rises. Simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  2. Remove chicken and let cool slightly. Shred meat with two forks, discarding skin and bones. Set aside.
  3. Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the broth. Simmer for 10 minutes until vegetables are tender. Season broth with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir in melted butter and milk. Mix until dough forms a soft but not sticky consistency. Adjust flour or milk as needed.
  5. Stir shredded chicken back into the simmering broth and vegetables. Maintain a gentle simmer.
  6. Drop dumpling dough by spoonfuls onto the simmering broth. Cover pot and cook undisturbed for 15 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid early.
  7. Check dumplings by cutting one in half; it should be cooked through and fluffy. If needed, cook a few minutes longer. Remove bay leaves and stir in chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Keep broth at a gentle simmer to prevent dumplings from breaking apart or becoming tough. Do not overmix dumpling dough to avoid chewy texture. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. Skim foam early for a clear broth. Rest shredded chicken before adding back to broth. Make dumplings uniform in size for even cooking. If broth is too thin, thicken with a slurry of 1 tablespoon flour mixed with cold water before adding dumplings.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken and dumplings, homemade dumplings, comfort food, Southern recipe, easy chicken stew, classic chicken recipe

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/classic-chicken-and-dumplings-recipe-easy-homemade-from-scratch/