Home Style Chicken And Dumplings
Home style chicken and dumplings offer hearty comfort with tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings, perfect for cozy family dinners and comforting gatherings.
Ingredients
- 5 to 6 lb. stewing chicken, cut up ⓘ
- 4 stalks celery, sliced ⓘ
- 2 large carrots, shredded ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried marjoram, crushed ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 1 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 2 tsp. baking powder ⓘ
- 1 beaten egg ⓘ
- 1/4 cup milk ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1/4 cup snipped parsley ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 6-quart Dutch oven, combine the chicken, sliced celery, shredded carrots, chopped onion, dried basil, dried marjoram, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Add 8 cups water to the Dutch oven.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat.
- Cover and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until the chicken is tender.
- Remove from heat and take out the chicken.
- Discard the bay leaves and use a metal spoon to skim off any fat that rises to the surface.
- Reserve half of the chicken and broth for another use.
- Return the remaining chicken and broth to boiling.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine to the broth while simmering. You can substitute the stewing chicken with chicken thighs for a more succulent result. If you're short on time, pre-made dumplings can be used instead of making them from scratch. Adjust spices according to your taste; feel free to add garlic or thyme for extra depth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with snipped parsley for a fresh touch. This dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. For a comforting twist, consider serving alongside a bread roll or cornbread, perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Home Style Chicken And Dumplings contains roughly 622 calories, with 23g protein, 117g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (201% of the Daily Value), calcium (70% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (68% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 563mg per serving (24% 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 frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but ensure it is fully thawed before cooking for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, increase the cooking time slightly to ensure it's thoroughly cooked and tender.
How can I make the dumplings fluffy?
To achieve fluffy dumplings, avoid overmixing the dough. Mix until just combined and let the dumplings rest for a few minutes before adding them to the boiling broth. This allows the baking powder to activate for a lighter texture.
What can I do if my broth is too salty?
If the broth is too salty, you can dilute it by adding more water or low-sodium chicken broth. Additionally, adding a peeled potato to the simmering broth can help absorb some of the excess salt, removing it before serving.
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).