Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

This Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in. Tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy dumplings simmer in a rich and creamy gravy, creating a meal that’s both satisfying and delicious. It’s a classic comfort food that’s easy to make and sure to please the whole family.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Comforting and flavorful: The combination of tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a creamy gravy is a classic comfort food combination that’s hard to resist.
• Easy to make: This recipe is simple to follow and requires minimal prep work.
• One-pot meal: Everything cooks together in one skillet or Dutch oven, making cleanup a breeze.
• Versatile: You can easily customize the vegetables or herbs to your liking.

this Recipe

Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings

This recipe uses fresh, wholesome ingredients to create a comforting and flavorful dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Chicken and Gravy:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Provide a flavorful and juicy base for the dish.
• Olive Oil: For browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables.
• Yellow Onion, Garlic, Celery, Carrots: Aromatic vegetables that add depth and flavor to the gravy.
• All-Purpose Flour and Butter: Used to make a roux, which thickens the gravy.
• Dried Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage: A blend of herbs that add a fragrant and earthy note to the gravy.
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a touch of spice.
• Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the flavorful gravy.
• Whole Milk: Adds creaminess to the gravy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste.

For the Dumplings:

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dumpling dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become fluffy.
• Dried Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
• Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps with browning.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the dumplings.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor.
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a touch of spice.
• Milk: Adds moisture to the dumpling dough.
• Butter: Melted butter adds richness and flavor.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings

Step 1: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables

Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and brown on each side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened. Add the diced carrots and celery and continue to sauté for about five minutes more.

Step 2: Make the Gravy

Add the butter and flour to the skillet and stir until the butter has melted and a paste forms. Cook for about two minutes. Add the parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and milk to the skillet. Increase the heat to medium-high and continue to stir until the mixture simmers and thickens into a gravy.

Step 3: Simmer the Chicken

Dice the browned chicken and return it to the skillet with the vegetables and gravy. Cover with a lid and let the chicken simmer in the gravy over medium heat while you prepare the dumplings.

Step 4: Make the Dumplings

In a bowl, combine the flour, parsley, sugar, salt, baking powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Pour in the milk and melted butter and stir until a soft, scoopable batter is formed. Do not over-stir.

Step 5: Cook the Dumplings

Remove the lid from the skillet and drop the dumpling batter onto the surface of the gravy in 2-tablespoon dollops. Make sure the gravy is still simmering, then replace the lid and allow the dumplings to simmer for 15 minutes. The dumplings should double in size and be fluffy and cooked through.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve the Chicken and Dumplings hot.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs.
• Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables, such as peas, corn, or green beans.
• Herbs: You can use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs. If using fresh herbs, use about three times the amount.

How to Serve Chicken and Dumplings

• Cozy meal: Enjoy this dish as a warm and comforting meal on a cold day.
• Family dinner: It’s also a great option for a hearty and satisfying family dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Chicken and Dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can! Simply brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables on the stovetop, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the dumplings) and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through. Make the dumplings and add them to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

My dumplings are soggy, what did I do wrong?
If your dumplings are soggy, it could be that you didn’t let the gravy simmer long enough before adding the dumplings or that you didn’t cook them long enough. Make sure the gravy is at a simmer before adding the dumplings, and cook them for the full 15 minutes with the lid on.

Can I freeze this recipe?
It’s best to enjoy this dish fresh, as freezing and thawing can affect the texture of the dumplings.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can! Simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add more vegetables, such as mushrooms or lentils, for extra heartiness.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Chicken and Dumplings. I hope you enjoy it!

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