Chicken and dumplings is comfort food dinner at its best. It’s really hard to beat a quick and easy dinner recipe like classic chicken and dumplings!
Classic Chicken and dumplings.
My mom used to make Chicken and Dumplings when I was a kid. Not very often though, which led me to believe that it was more of a special occasion meal, that required a little extra time to prepare. Not so, especially if you use your leftover roasted chicken or turkey.
I made it mid-week, a few days nights ago after work, and it took under an hour. While the chicken and veggies are simmering, you can mix together the ingredients for the dumplings. Forget the Bisquick! Flour, butter, baking soda, a pinch of sugar, salt and milk, and a 1 minute mix by hand, are all you need for the dumplings.
Mix the dumpling dough just until it comes together. It will be sticky and wet.
If you want to cut corners and use frozen mixed veggies in place of fresh, the cooking time for the chicken and dumplings will be shortened.
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chopped onion about 1 medium
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/3 cup plus 2 Tablespoons flour (or heaping 1/3 cup)
- 5 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Handful of fresh chopped parsley
- 4 cups cooked chicken or turkey shredded or diced
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat butter over medium heat
- Add onions, celery, mushrooms and carrots and sauté 3-5 minutes.
- Add flour, and cook an additional 2 or 3 minutes.
- Slowly add chicken stock, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper, stirring to incorporate flour. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and continue cooking for about 15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, make dumpling dough.
- Add Chicken and peas, bring to a gentle boil. Drop dumpling dough by spoonfuls onto gently simmering stew. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, without lifting lid.
To make chicken and dumplings:
Saute the onions, carrots, celery and mushrooms. Then add the garlic and cook for a few more minutes.
Saute vegetables over a medium heat.
Add flour and cook 3 or 4 minutes.
Add flour and continue cooking.
Drop the dough into the gently simmering stew. Cover the pot and cook for 15 minutes, don’t lift the lid!
Drop the dough on gently simmering stew.
Cover and cook without lifting the lid, for 15 minutes. This step is important. It’s the difference between light and airy dumplings and door stops. Don’t be tempted to peek.
Here’s the recipe for homemade dumplings for your chicken and dumplings.
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Cut in butter, or mix with hands until incorporated and crumbly.
- Mix in milk just until blended.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto simmering stew or soup.
Garnish with fresh parsley.
Looking for more hearty stews?
Guinness beef stew
Boeuf Bourguignon
Nancy Pavlik says
This sounds simple and yummy. BUT – there are no mushrooms listed in the chicken stew ingredients. You might want to add them since you picture them later.
Cynthia says
Thanks so much! Recipe amended!
Candace says
I’ve been looking for a recipe like the one my mom made over 50 years ago and this seems to be it! Making it tonight. Thanks so much!
Cheers!
Cynthia says
So happy Candace! My mom used to make chicken and dumplings in the 60s. I hadn’t had it for years, but just had a craving. It’s about as close to mom’s as i remember!
Maria says
This looks so wonderful, pure comfort food deliciousness! When I was sick a couple of months ago, my husband made me chicken and dumplings (I think it was a Pioneer Woman recipe) and I’ve been craving it ever since! And with the cold, snowy weather outside, it sounds pretty good to me right now!!!! Maybe I’ll have to plan to make some over the weekend!!! 🙂
Cynthia says
Maria, Chicken and dumplings is definitely comfort food alright! Perfect on snowy or rainy days too!
Catherine says
Dear Cynthia, this soup looks wonderful. When the weather cools down, there is nothing better in the morning than soup. xo, Catherine
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
I haven’t had dumplings in YEARS. And now that has to change.
Lauren @ Hall Nesting says
Chicken and Dumplings is my husband’s favorite. I need to put this on our dinner menu soon!
Ramona W says
What a hearty and comforting meal on a cold winter day… I would be rubbing my belly with happiness. 🙂
Catherine says
Dear Cynthia, there is nothing more comforting than a chicken and dumplings when the weather gets cold. This is comfort food for the soul….it sounds splendid! xoxo, Catherine