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A rustic ceramic bowl filled with steaming homemade chicken and dumplings, placed on a wooden kitchen table with a folded linen napkin beside it. The thick, creamy broth coats the dumplings and shredded chicken, with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for contrast. A wooden spoon rests in the bowl, ready for the first bite. The background is softly blurred, creating a cozy and inviting feel.

Classic Chicken and Dumplings – A Cozy, Hearty One-Pot Meal

This classic chicken and dumplings recipe features tender shredded chicken, a rich and creamy broth, and light, fluffy dumplings made from scratch. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners, cozy nights, or when you need a warm, satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, southern
Servings 6 people
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken & Broth:

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

For the Dumplings:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cold butter cut into small pieces
  • ¾ cup milk

For Thickening the Broth:

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cold water

Instructions
 

Cook the Chicken & Make the Broth

  • In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened (about 5 minutes). Pour in chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir, then add chicken breasts. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken, shred it, and set aside.

Make the Dumpling Dough

  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk until a dough forms. Do not overmix.

Thicken the Broth

  • In a small bowl, mix flour with cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot.

Drop & Cook the Dumplings

  • Using a spoon, drop small scoops of dumpling dough into the simmering broth. Cover the pot and let cook for 12-15 minutes, until the dumplings are fluffy and fully cooked.

Serve & Enjoy

  • Ladle into bowls and serve warm. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra black pepper if desired.

Notes

  • For extra creamy broth, stir in ½ cup heavy cream before serving.
  • Avoid overmixing the dumpling dough—it should be just combined for the fluffiest texture.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Keyword chicken and dumplings, homemade dumplings, southern confort food