When the weather turns chilly and you yearn for a meal that offers warmth, comfort, and pure satisfaction, look no further than a steaming bowl of Homemade Chicken and Dumplings. This iconic American comfort food is more than just a dish; it’s a hug in a bowl, a taste of home that evokes nostalgia and brings families together. The timeless appeal lies in its simplicity and the heartwarming combination of tender, succulent chicken, a rich, savory broth, and irresistibly fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings. It’s truly a classic chicken dish that satisfies the soul.
For many, the idea of preparing this beloved dish from scratch might seem a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. Perhaps you’ve grown up with it and always wanted to master it, or maybe you’re new to the world of Southern cooking and eager to explore its delights. Whatever your background, rest assured, creating the best homemade chicken and dumplings is an achievable and incredibly rewarding culinary adventure. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll transform simple ingredients into a delicious, soul-satisfying meal that will impress everyone at your table and have them asking for second helpings. Get ready to become a pro at making this ultimate comfort food in no time!
Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that holds a special place in my culinary journey. Believe it or not, I had never made, nor even tasted, traditional Chicken and Dumplings until I discovered this incredible recipe in my blog friend Melissa’s fantastic book, Melissa’s Southern Cookbook – Tried and True Family Recipes. This cookbook quickly became a staple in my kitchen, offering a treasury of authentic Southern dishes that have been passed down through generations. Melissa’s heartfelt stories and beautiful photography truly bring her family’s culinary heritage to life, making it a joy to cook from. If you appreciate cookbooks that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing, this one is an absolute must-have for your collection.
What Makes These Chicken Dumplings Special?
When we talk about “dumplings” in this hearty, one-pot meal, we’re not referring to the kind wrapped around a filling of meat or vegetables, like Asian potstickers. Nor are these the flat, noodle-like dumplings found in some regional variations of the dish. Instead, these are wonderfully soft, biscuit-like dumplings, dropped in spoonfuls directly into the simmering broth, where they puff up into light and airy morsels. This style of fluffy, drop dumpling is characteristic of classic Southern chicken and dumplings, providing a delightful contrast to the rich, creamy chicken soup.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching the buttermilk dough transform as it simmers in the flavorful broth. After about 25 minutes of cooking alongside the tender chicken, aromatic stock, and carefully balanced seasonings, these dumplings emerge perfectly cooked through, plump, and utterly delightful. Each dumpling acts like a sponge, soaking up all the delicious flavors of the chicken soup, ensuring every bite is a burst of comforting goodness. This recipe truly delivers on the promise of a truly authentic and incredibly tasty experience.
Essential Ingredients for Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
Before we embark on the delightful journey of cooking this easy chicken and dumplings recipe, let’s ensure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Using fresh, high-quality components is key to achieving that rich, authentic flavor that makes this comfort food so special. Here’s a detailed list of what you’ll need to create this simple yet spectacular meal:
- Cooked Chicken: 3 cups of roughly chopped cooked chicken pieces. Chicken breasts are a popular choice for their lean meat, but cooked chicken thighs can add even more flavor and moisture. Using leftover rotisserie chicken is also a fantastic shortcut for this easy recipe.
- Chicken Broth or Stock: 3 (14-ounce) cans of low sodium chicken broth or stock. Using low sodium allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. You’ll need about 52 ounces total for a rich, flavorful base.
- Cream of Celery Soup: 1 can of cream of celery soup. This adds a wonderful creaminess and a subtle, savory depth to the broth. It’s a classic ingredient in many Southern comfort dishes.
- Poultry Seasoning: 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning. This blend typically includes sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram, providing that quintessential comforting aroma and taste.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon of salt. Adjust to taste, especially if your chicken broth or seasoning blend is already salty.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Freshly ground pepper offers a more potent and aromatic flavor than pre-ground.
- Dried Tarragon: ½ teaspoon of dried tarragon. Tarragon adds a distinctive, slightly aniselike, herbaceous note that beautifully complements chicken.
- Onion Powder: ½ teaspoon of onion powder. For a concentrated onion flavor without the texture of fresh onion.
- Garlic Powder: ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Adds a mellow, aromatic garlic essence.
- All-Purpose Flour: ¼ cup of all-purpose flour. This will be used to create a paste with butter to thicken the broth, giving it that luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Salted Butter (for broth): 4 tablespoons of salted butter, at room temperature. Essential for creating the flour paste to thicken the broth and adding richness.
For the Fluffy Dumpling Dough:
- Cold Salted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick) cold salted butter, cubed. Keeping the butter cold is crucial for tender, flaky dumplings, similar to making biscuits.
- Self-Rising Flour: 3 cups of self-rising flour. This flour already contains leavening agents and salt, making the dumpling dough preparation incredibly simple and ensuring light, airy results.
- Whole Buttermilk: 1 cup of whole buttermilk. The acidity in buttermilk reacts with the leavening in self-rising flour, creating extra tender and fluffy dumplings. Its rich flavor also contributes to the overall deliciousness.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
Crafting this soulful dish is simpler than you might imagine. Follow these steps to create a comforting and flavorful pot of homemade chicken and dumplings that your family will adore:
- Prepare the Broth Base: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven (I highly recommend this type of pot for even heating), combine the roughly chopped cooked chicken, low sodium chicken stock, cream of celery soup, poultry seasoning, salt, freshly ground black pepper, dried tarragon, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir all ingredients well to combine.
- Bring to a Boil: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. This ensures all the flavors meld together and prepares the broth for thickening and cooking the dumplings.
- Thicken the Broth: While the broth is heating, create a thickening paste. In a small separate bowl, combine the ¼ cup all-purpose flour and 4 tablespoons room-temperature salted butter. Mix them together until a smooth paste forms. Once the broth is boiling, gradually whisk this flour-butter paste into the pot. Continue whisking gently until the broth begins to thicken to your desired consistency. This step is crucial for achieving that rich, creamy texture characteristic of classic chicken and dumplings.
Expert Tip for Seasoning: While the recipe provides a standard seasoning blend, feel free to customize it. For a richer, more complex flavor profile, you can use a homemade poultry seasoning blend or adjust individual spices. For instance, in place of the commercial poultry seasoning, you can use ½ teaspoon each of ground sage, ground marjoram, ground thyme, and ground rosemary. If you’ve pre-seasoned your chicken (e.g., with 1½ teaspoons of Weber’s Kick’N Chicken Seasoning as I sometimes do), remember to reduce the additional salt, pepper, tarragon, onion powder, and garlic powder in the broth to avoid over-seasoning. Always taste and adjust as you go!
Easy Homemade Dumplings: The Heart of the Dish
Now for the star of the show – the fluffy, tender dumplings. Making them from scratch is surprisingly simple and yields far superior results:
- Prepare the Dumpling Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the 3 cups of self-rising flour. Add the ½ cup of cold salted butter, cut into small cubes. Using a pastry blender, two forks, or even a food processor, “cut” the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. The cold butter is essential here as it creates pockets of steam during cooking, resulting in light and tender dumplings.
- Form the Dough: Gradually pour the 1 cup of whole buttermilk into the flour-butter mixture. Use a fork to mix it until it just comes together to form a soft, shaggy biscuit dough. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough dumplings. A few dry streaks are fine.
- Drop the Dumplings: With the broth gently boiling, use a 2-ounce ice cream scoop or a large tablespoon to drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter directly into the hot liquid. Work relatively quickly but carefully, ensuring the dumplings don’t stick together.
- Simmer and Cook: As soon as all the dumpling dough is in the pot, immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and let the entire meal simmer undisturbed for exactly 25 minutes. It’s crucial not to lift the lid during this time, as the steam is essential for cooking the dumplings through and making them light and fluffy.
- Rest and Thicken: After 25 minutes, remove the pot from the heat. Uncover it and gently stir the chicken and dumplings with a wooden spoon. The broth will continue to thicken as it cools slightly. Let the soup rest, uncovered, for at least 5 minutes. This resting period allows the dumplings to set and the broth to achieve its optimal, rich consistency.
Congratulations, your homemade Chicken ‘n’ Dumplins (as Grandma lovingly called them) are ready to be served! Ladle generous portions into warm bowls, making sure each serving gets plenty of tender chicken, rich broth, and those irresistible fluffy dumplings. For a final touch of freshness and color, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions. Serve hot and savor the comforting, soul-satisfying flavors of this timeless classic. I know your family is going to love this easy dinner recipe because mine certainly does!
Delicious Recipe Variations for Your Chicken and Dumplings
While the classic homemade chicken and dumplings recipe is perfect as is, there are always opportunities to add your unique spin or adjust it to your family’s preferences. Here are a few creative variations to inspire your next batch of this beloved comfort food:
- Add More Vegetables: For extra nutrition and texture, feel free to incorporate more vegetables into your stew. Fresh or frozen peas, sliced carrots, corn kernels, or chopped green beans are excellent additions. Simply add them to the pot along with the chicken and broth during the initial boiling step, allowing them to cook until tender. This boosts the fiber content and adds vibrant color.
- Creamier Version: If you’re a fan of a richer, more indulgent broth, a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half added towards the very end of the cooking process can elevate the dish. Stir it in just before the final resting period, allowing it to warm through without boiling. This will create an even more luxurious, velvety texture and a richer flavor profile.
- Spicier Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce can be stirred into the creamy chicken stew. Start with a small amount and taste as you go to achieve your preferred level of spice. This can add an exciting depth to the traditional flavors.
- Herbaceous Enhancements: Experiment with different fresh herbs for garnish or to infuse the broth. Fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage can be added in small amounts to the simmering broth for an intensified aromatic experience. Just remember that dried herbs are more potent than fresh, so adjust quantities accordingly.
- Different Chicken Cuts: While cooked chicken breasts are convenient, consider using a mix of chicken breasts and thighs for a more flavorful and moist result. If cooking raw chicken, you can simmer bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces directly in the broth until fully cooked and tender, then shred the meat and return it to the pot. This also creates a richer homemade stock.
FAQs About Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
Here are answers to some common questions about making and storing this delicious comfort food:
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely, using pre-cooked chicken is not only acceptable but highly recommended for convenience. Whether you have leftover roasted chicken, boiled chicken breasts, or a store-bought rotisserie chicken, simply shred or chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add it to the pot with the broth and seasonings when you begin the cooking process, ensuring it heats through before the dumplings are added. This shortcut significantly reduces prep time, making this a perfect weeknight meal.
Can I freeze homemade chicken and dumplings?
Yes, homemade chicken and dumplings freeze remarkably well, making it an excellent meal prep option. To freeze, allow the stew to cool completely to room temperature first. Then, transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Ensure there’s minimal air in the container to prevent freezer burn. Label and date the container, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the frozen chicken and dumplings in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s warmed through. You may need to add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to thin the consistency slightly if it has thickened too much.
How long will this recipe keep?
Cooked chicken and dumplings can be safely stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Always ensure it’s cooled quickly before refrigerating. For longer storage, as mentioned above, it will keep well in the freezer for up to three months.
Can I substitute cream of chicken soup in this recipe?
Yes, you certainly can! While the recipe calls for cream of celery soup, many “cream of” soups are interchangeable in comfort food recipes like this. Cream of chicken soup is a very popular substitute and will still yield a wonderfully creamy and savory broth. You could also try cream of mushroom or even cream of potato for a slightly different flavor profile. The taste will be slightly altered depending on your choice, but the overall creamy texture and comforting essence will remain.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of comforting chicken meals, here are some other fantastic recipes that I’m sure you’ll enjoy adding to your rotation:
- Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole
- Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Chicken Divan
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
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Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Broth:
- 3 cups roughly chopped cooked chicken (chicken breasts or thighs)
- 52 ounces low sodium chicken broth or stock (equivalent to 3 standard 14-ounce cans)
- 10.75 ounces cream of celery soup (1 standard can)
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried tarragon
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
For the Fluffy Dumplings:
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold salted butter, cubed
- 3 cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup whole buttermilk
Instructions
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In a large pot, combine the cooked, shredded chicken, chicken stock, cream of celery soup, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, tarragon, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well to mix all ingredients. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
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In a small bowl, combine the ¼ cup all-purpose flour and 4 tablespoons room-temperature butter to form a smooth paste. Whisk this paste into the boiling broth in the pot. Continue whisking until the broth visibly thickens to a creamy consistency.
To Make the Dumplings:
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In a medium bowl, cut the ½ cup cold, cubed butter into the 3 cups of self-rising flour. Use a pastry blender, two knives, or a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. This step is crucial for tender, flaky dumplings.
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Gradually add the 1 cup of whole buttermilk to the flour mixture. Mix with a fork until a soft, shaggy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until barely moistened.
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Using a 2-ounce ice cream scoop or a large tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough directly into the boiling broth. Once all the dough is added, immediately lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the pot tightly. Allow the meal to simmer for 25 minutes without lifting the lid. This allows the dumplings to steam and cook perfectly.
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After 25 minutes, uncover the pot and gently stir the chicken and dumplings with a wooden spoon. Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, uncovered, for at least 5 minutes. This resting period allows the broth to thicken further and the flavors to fully meld.
Cook’s Note:
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For an alternative to store-bought poultry seasoning, you can create your own blend by using ½ teaspoon each of ground sage, ground marjoram, ground thyme, and ground rosemary. This allows for customization of flavor.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Per serving (1 serving):
- Calories: 401kcal
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 78mg
- Sodium: 1694mg
- Potassium: 684mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 340IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 63mg
- Iron: 2mg
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And if you’re curious about other delicious recipes from Melissa’s cookbook, here are some delightful creations my friends have also made:
- Southern Green Beans with Potatoes and Bacon
- Classic Hushpuppies
- Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake
- Chocolate Honey Butter and the Best Buttermilk Biscuits
- Garlic Herb Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread
The Final Verdict: A Comfort Food Masterpiece
Melissa’s Chicken N’ Dumplins recipe is truly comfort food at its absolute finest. This dish is a keeper, and I will be enthusiastically saving it to make again and again whenever that craving for down-home, soul-warming comfort food strikes!
When the cold weather sets in, and I find myself weary of my usual rotation of soups and stews, I know that a hearty bowl of Chicken N’ Dumplins will be exactly what’s needed to warm us up on a chilly night. Melissa has truly hit it out of the ballpark with this recipe; it’s a testament to the power of simple, authentic ingredients coming together to create something truly magical. The tender chicken, the creamy, seasoned broth, and those irresistible fluffy dumplings combine to create a meal that is both deeply satisfying and incredibly easy to love. It’s a dish that embodies the very essence of Southern hospitality and flavor.
As always, all opinions expressed here are my own. I sincerely appreciate your continued support of 365 Days of Baking and More, and I encourage you to also show your support for Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen and her wonderful cookbook.
This recipe is reprinted with express permission from Melissa Sperka, author of Melissa’s Southern Cookbook – Tried and True Family Recipes, published by The Countryman Press, a division of W. W. Norton & Company, New York, NY 2016. ISBN 978-1-58157-383-1.
This post was originally published on August 27, 2016. It has since been updated in format and with fresh pictures on October 11, 2023, to enhance your cooking experience.
