Get ready to wrap yourself in a blanket of comfort with this Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings. This soul-soothing dish is everything you crave on a chilly night: tender bites of chicken, colorful sweet veggies, and cloud-like dumplings all nestled in a silky, savory sauce. Imagine the aroma wafting from your kitchen as the stew gently simmers and the dumplings puff up perfectly. A bowlful feels like a warm hug from the inside out, and I promise you’ll find yourself going back for seconds every single time. If you’ve never made homemade dumplings before, you’re in for the most delicious, rewarding treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings lies in its humble yet all-star ingredients. Each element plays a special role, creating layers of texture and softness while giving the finished dish its signature creamy warmth.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps the vegetables sauté to sweet perfection for depth in the base.
- Unsalted Butter: Blends with the oil for buttery flavor and works with flour to create the savory roux.
- Onion: Provides subtle sweetness and aromatic foundation for the stew.
- Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and vibrant color to every spoonful.
- Celery: Adds savory crunch and classic familiarity to the vegetable medley.
- Garlic: Punches up flavor with just the right amount of fragrant zing.
- All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the stew, transforming it into luscious creaminess.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the flavorful backbone of the stew; homemade or store-bought both work well.
- Heavy Cream: This is the magic for the stew’s dreamy, creamy texture—don’t skip it!
- Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie, leftover roast, or poached chicken shredded into tender bites.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting every ingredient’s flavor.
- Dried Thyme: Adds earthy, herbal notes that make the stew feel rustic and homey.
- Bay Leaf: Perfumes the pot as it simmers, subtly deepening every spoonful.
- Frozen Peas: Toss in at the end for pops of sweetness and a burst of fresh green color.
- All-Purpose Flour (Dumplings): The base of your fluffy dumplings—tried, true, and always tender.
- Baking Powder: The secret agent that makes those dumplings rise and puff right on cue.
- Salt & Black Pepper (Dumplings): Adds flavor right into the dough for savory goodness.
- Fresh Parsley: Brings an herby, bright flavor that really lifts the dumplings.
- Whole Milk: Keeps the dumplings moist, soft, and comforting.
- Unsalted Butter (Dumplings): Melted right into the dough for richness and irresistible flavor.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings
Step 1: Build the Flavor Base
Start by grabbing your favorite Dutch oven or a big, heavy pot. Heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted and frothy. Add in the onion, carrots, and celery—these are the holy trinity for much of comfort cooking! Let them sizzle and soften for about five to six minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re tender and aromatic. This step unlocks loads of flavor in your Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Make a Roux
Once your veggies have softened, toss in the garlic and let it cook just until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Now, sprinkle the flour all over and stir constantly for a minute or two. The flour will soak into the butter and coat everything, turning slightly golden and nutty. This is your roux; it’s going to make your stew luxuriously thick and creamy!
Step 3: Add Liquids & Simmer
Time to whisk in the chicken broth slowly, making sure to scrape up any flavorful bits from the bottom. Pour in the heavy cream (this is where the creamy magic happens!), add the shredded chicken, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and that one gorgeous bay leaf. Give everything a good stir, bring it to a gentle boil, then immediately lower the heat to a simmer. Let the stew bubble away, uncovered, for about 15 minutes. It’ll thicken slightly, and all those flavors will marry together beautifully.
Step 4: Make the Dumpling Dough
While the stew is simmering, whip up your dumplings. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Pour in the milk and melted butter and mix just until combined. The dough should be soft and sticky—overmixing makes dumplings dense, so just bring it together gently.
Step 5: Drop Dumplings & Steam
Remove the bay leaf from your stew and get ready for dumpling magic! Use a spoon to drop generous spoonfuls of dough across the surface of the simmering stew. Cover the pot tightly with a lid—don’t peek!—and let the dumplings steam quietly for about 15 minutes. They’ll puff up into pillowy clouds, absorbing just enough flavor from the bubbling stew below.
Step 6: Finish with Peas & Serve
Once the dumplings are set and cooked through, gently stir in the frozen peas. Let everything sit off the heat for a couple of minutes so the peas stay pop-fresh and vibrant green. Ladle your Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings into bowls and prepare yourself for pure comfort.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings
Garnishes
A pretty sprinkle of fresh parsley across each bowl adds a pop of color and a burst of freshness to your Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings. For a touch of indulgence, try an extra twist of black pepper or even a dusting of grated Parmesan. If you love a bit of zing, a splash of hot sauce is heavenly.
Side Dishes
Honestly, this stew is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to round things out, serve it with a simple green salad or some crisp steamed green beans. Warm crusty bread is perfect for sopping up every last bit of that creamy broth.
Creative Ways to Present
Ladle the Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings into individual ramekins or mini Dutch ovens for a restaurant-worthy feel. Or, make it family-style in a big, beautiful pot at the center of the table—everyone can dig in together. For a special touch, serve in bread bowls (trust me, it’s unforgettable!).
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, cool your Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings first. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The stew actually gets even richer as the flavors mingle overnight!
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead, you can freeze the stew itself (before adding dumplings) for up to two months. Dumplings tend to lose their fluffiness after freezing, so for best results, add fresh dumplings when reheating.
Reheating
Gently reheat the stew in a pot over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. If you’re making fresh dumplings, drop them in as the stew comes to a simmer and cook as directed in the recipe.
FAQs
Can I use leftover roast chicken or turkey?
Absolutely! Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings is a fantastic way to use up any cooked chicken or even turkey. Just shred or chop it, and stir it in at the stage where the cooked chicken is called for in the recipe.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Definitely—swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend for both the stew and dumplings, and make sure your baking powder is gluten-free. The texture is just as comforting and delicious.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
You can use half-and-half or even whole milk for a lighter version. The result is still creamy and cozy, but with a slightly less rich finish.
How do I keep dumplings from being dense?
Be careful not to overmix the dumpling dough and never lift the lid while they steam! The key is a light hand and a good 15 minutes of uninterrupted cooking so they puff up just right.
Can I add extra veggies?
Absolutely—mushrooms, corn, or even diced potatoes can join the party. Add them with the carrots and celery so they soften with the rest of the vegetables in your Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings.
Final Thoughts
No matter the weather or your mood, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings. Once you make it from scratch and taste those homemade dumplings floating in a rich, creamy stew, you’ll want to make it again and again. Trust me: you’ll be looking for excuses to share this recipe with everyone you know!
Print
Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings recipe. A rich and hearty stew loaded with tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, this dish is a satisfying meal that will warm you up from the inside out.
Ingredients
For the stew:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen peas
For the dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the stew: In a large Dutch oven, sauté onion, carrots, and celery. Stir in garlic, flour, chicken broth, cream, chicken, seasonings, and peas. Simmer until thickened.
- Make the dumplings: Combine dry ingredients, then add milk and butter. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the stew. Cover and cook until dumplings are fluffy.
- Stir in peas and let sit before serving.
Notes
- For extra richness, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Enhance with mushrooms or corn for added flavor.
- Leftovers reheat well, becoming even creamier the next day.
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