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🍗 Homestyle Chicken & Dumplings
A Comfort Food Classic That Warms Hearts and Fills Bellies
📜 Introduction
There’s nothing quite like walking into a kitchen filled with the warm, savory aroma of chicken and dumplings simmering on the stove. This dish is pure comfort — soft, fluffy dumplings swimming in a rich, creamy chicken stew loaded with vegetables and love. A favorite across generations, it’s a recipe that says “home” in every bite.
Whether it’s a chilly night or a family gathering, chicken and dumplings have a way of bringing people to the table — and keeping them there for seconds (or thirds). It’s hearty, satisfying, and soul-nourishing.
🕰️ A Brief History
Chicken and dumplings trace their roots back to European peasant dishes, particularly in France and Germany. Immigrants brought the idea to the American South, where the dish evolved into the creamy, thick stew we know today. Originally made as a way to stretch leftover chicken and use up simple pantry staples like flour and broth, it became a staple of Southern cuisine and Depression-era kitchens.
Over time, variations have emerged — some regions use drop dumplings, while others roll them flat like noodles. What remains constant is the dish’s ability to unite a table of hungry loved ones.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken Stew:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley or chives
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
🧑🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Make the Chicken Base
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until tender (about 5–7 minutes).
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux.
- Slowly add chicken broth, stirring to prevent lumps.
- Add shredded chicken, salt, pepper, thyme, and poultry seasoning. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the broth to thicken.
- Stir in the cream or milk and reduce heat to low while you make dumplings.
Step 2: Make the Dumplings
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Stir in milk and melted butter until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Drop spoonfuls (about 1 tbsp each) of dough onto the simmering stew.
- Cover the pot and do not lift the lid for 15 minutes. This steams the dumplings perfectly.
- After 15 minutes, check if dumplings are cooked through (they should be fluffy and no longer doughy inside).
❤️ Who Loves This Dish? (Lovers of the Dish)
- 👵 Grandmothers – for its nostalgic ties to “the old days”
- 👨👩👧👦 Busy parents – for its simplicity and family-friendliness
- 🧑🍳 Home cooks – for its flexibility and one-pot ease
- 🧡 Picky eaters – even those who “hardly eat anything” usually ask for seconds
- 🥶 Cold-weather folks – it’s the ultimate cozy-up meal
- 🥳 Potluck hosts – always a hit on the buffet table
🧪 Formation (Tips & Tricks)
- Richer Flavor? Use bone-in chicken for the broth, then shred the meat.
- No Cream? Use evaporated milk or half-and-half for similar richness.
- Make Ahead? Yes! The stew can be made ahead. Just make dumplings fresh before serving.
- Freezer Friendly? Freeze the stew without dumplings; make them fresh when reheating.
✅ Conclusion
This chicken and dumplings recipe isn’t just about feeding people — it’s about creating memories, warming hearts, and nourishing both body and soul. Whether you’re cooking for one or a whole crowd, this dish brings people together with every spoonful.
And as one happy cook once said:
“My mother-in-law hardly eats anything these days, but she tore this up! The rest of the family loved it just as much. Made as directed. Going into my recipe box and will be used over and over!”
Now it’s your turn to try it. You’ll be amazed at the smiles it brings to the table.
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