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Best Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe (Fluffy Dumplings Guaranteed)

Close-up of fluffy dumplings served in a creamy broth with carrots and celery, showcasing the best chicken and dumpling recipe.
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Make the ultimate comfort food with this easy, homestyle Chicken and Dumplings recipe. You get tender chicken, a rich, savory broth, and guaranteed fluffy dumplings every time. This is the classic Southern meal your family will request weekly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cold water (for slurry)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for richness)
  • For the Dumplings:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken, broth, 1 cup water, carrot, celery, onion, thyme, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  3. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Keep the broth simmering gently.
  4. Shred the cooked chicken using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the simmering broth to thicken it slightly. Stir in the heavy cream now if you are using it. Taste the broth and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Prepare the dumplings: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
  7. Pour the milk and melted butter into the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. Do not overmix; the dough will be sticky.
  8. Drop the dumpling dough by rounded tablespoons directly onto the surface of the gently simmering broth. Do not crowd the dumplings; leave space between them.
  9. Cover the pot tightly and reduce the heat to low. Let the dumplings steam without lifting the lid for 15 minutes. This step is crucial for fluffy dumplings.
  10. Remove the lid. The dumplings should be puffed and cooked through. Serve immediately in bowls, ensuring everyone gets plenty of chicken and rich gravy soup.

Notes

  • For the fluffiest dumplings, avoid peeking while they steam for the full 15 minutes. Lifting the lid releases the steam needed for them to rise.
  • If you prefer a richer, thicker gravy, you can use 1/4 cup of the hot broth to dissolve 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, then stir this mixture into the pot during step 5.
  • You can cook this as Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings by cooking the chicken and vegetables on low for 6-8 hours, shredding the chicken, then bringing the liquid to a simmer on the stovetop before adding the dumplings.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/best-chicken-and-dumpling-recipe-fluffy/