Description
This classic Chicken and Dumplings recipe delivers a comforting and hearty meal perfect for family dinners. Tender shredded chicken simmers in a creamy, seasoned broth with fresh vegetables and fluffy homemade dumplings, creating a warm and satisfying dish with rich American flavors.
Ingredients
Main Stew Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
Dumplings
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add Seasonings and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Cook for an additional minute to release the flavors.
- Incorporate Flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly, which will help thicken the stew.
- Add Chicken Broth: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Add Chicken, Peas, and Cream: Stir in the shredded chicken, frozen peas, and heavy cream, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the whole milk and melted butter gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Dumplings to Stew: Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough over the surface of the simmering stew, spacing them slightly apart to avoid sticking together.
- Simmer Dumplings: Cover the pot with a lid and let the dumplings cook over low simmer without lifting the lid for 15–18 minutes until they are cooked through and fluffy.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat and serve the chicken and dumplings hot, enjoying the comforting flavors and tender textures.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a convenient shortcut that adds great flavor.
- For enhanced broth flavor, add a bay leaf while simmering and remove it before adding the dumplings.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to create a lighter version of the stew.
- Do not lift the lid while the dumplings cook to ensure they steam properly and become fluffy.
