Homemade Cozy Chicken & Dumplings

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings offer a comforting, rich one-pot meal with minimal cleanup. This recipe features fluffy, made-from-scratch dumplings paired with a creamy, hearty chicken stew. Perfect for cozy dinners that don’t demand hours in the kitchen.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-pot cooking makes cleanup a breeze.
Simple, everyday ingredients create extraordinary flavor.
Customizable dumplings allow creativity with herbs and seasonings.
Utilizes leftovers, making it economical and efficient.

Ingredients

6 tablespoons butter: Used for sautéing vegetables and creating a rich base flavor.
1 cup diced yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth.
1 cup matchstick carrots: Provides natural sweetness and color.
1 cup diced celery: Brings additional flavor and texture.
4 cloves garlic (minced): Enhances the aromatic quality with a punch of flavor.
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Essential for thickening the soup.
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk (or half and half): Adds creaminess; substitute with half and half if preferred.
1 (32 oz) quart chicken stock: Forms the base for a flavorful broth.
4 cups shredded cooked chicken (or see notes below for raw chicken): Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, optional): Offers herbal notes; optional but recommended.
2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste): Adds warmth and depth.
Salt (to taste): Balances flavors. Adjust as needed.
2 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base for the dumplings.
1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon, baking powder: Essential for fluffy dumplings.
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper: For seasoning the dumplings.
1 teaspoon salt: Balances the dumpling mixture.
1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, optional): Infuses dumplings with herbal fragrance.
3/4 cup (6 oz) whole milk: Hydrates the dumplings for a soft texture.
4 tablespoons butter (melted): Offers richness to the dumplings.

How to Make It

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

In a large heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute to infuse the mixture with fragrant aromatics.

Step 2: Create the Roux

Add the flour to the pot, stirring to coat the vegetables. Cook this mixture for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking or burning. Gradually whisk in the evaporated milk followed by the chicken stock, ensuring a smooth, lump-free consistency. This step is crucial to achieve a creamy, thickened base for the stew.

Step 3: Simmer the Soup

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Add the shredded chicken, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Reduce the heat to low, allowing the soup to simmer uncovered while you prepare the dumplings. This gives the flavors ample time to meld together.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?

Yes, if you prefer to use raw chicken, simply add whole raw chicken breasts to the soup at the simmering stage. Cook until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and easily shredded with a fork before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.

How can I avoid tough dumplings?

Tender dumplings come from not overmixing the dough. Combine the ingredients until just incorporated, allowing some lumps; this reduces gluten development, resulting in fluffy dumplings.