Aunt Estelle'S Chicken Dumplings
A hearty Southern classic featuring tender chicken and fluffy homemade dumplings, perfect for comforting family dinners and showcasing simple, flavorful ingredients.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil the chicken in 3 quarts of water with salt and pepper until well done.
- Cool the chicken and remove the skin.
- Remove meat from the bones and return it to the broth.
- Prepare a dough using 2 cups of self-rising flour and enough cooled chicken broth to form a soft batter.
- Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the simmering broth and cook until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to the broth while boiling the chicken. If you don't have self-rising flour, you can make your own by combining all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt. To ensure fluffy dumplings, avoid overmixing the batter; just combine until moistened. For a twist, try incorporating finely chopped vegetables into the dumpling batter.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Aunt Estelle's Chicken Dumplings with a side of steamed vegetables for a wholesome meal. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can also complement the dish nicely. For an extra touch, consider pairing it with a warm biscuit or cornbread. This dish pairs beautifully with Chicken And Green Bean Dinner In The Bag for a comforting family meal.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, let the chicken and dumplings cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent the dumplings from drying out, and warm gently on the stovetop until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Aunt Estelle'S Chicken Dumplings contains roughly 109 calories, with 6g protein, 20g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is a good source of protein (11% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 862mg per serving (37% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover cooked chicken for this recipe?
Yes, using leftover cooked chicken is a great time-saver. Just ensure to add enough broth to keep the dumplings moist while cooking. If using rotisserie chicken, you can skip the boiling step altogether and directly incorporate the meat into the broth.
What can I do if my dumplings are too dense?
If your dumplings turn out dense, it may be due to overmixing the batter or using too much flour. To fix this, ensure you mix just until the ingredients are combined. You can also try adding a little more broth to loosen the batter before dropping it into the simmering broth.
Can I freeze the chicken and dumplings?
While it's possible to freeze chicken and dumplings, the texture of the dumplings may change upon thawing. If you're planning to freeze, consider freezing the chicken and broth separately from the dumplings. Reheat the broth and then add fresh dumplings when you're ready to eat.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).