Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Hearty & Filling: This dish is packed with tender chicken, veggies, and soft, fluffy dumplings. It’s a complete meal in one pot.
• Creamy Comfort: The rich, velvety broth is comforting and indulgent, perfect for cozy evenings.
• Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
• Customizable: Add your favorite herbs, spices, or veggies to make it your own. You can even adjust the consistency or creaminess based on preference.
• Crowd-Pleasing: This dish is perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or meal prep. It’s sure to please everyone at the table!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Stew:

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
• 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or whole milk for a lighter version)
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken is ideal)
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme)
• 1 tsp dried parsley (or 2 tbsp fresh parsley)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Dumplings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prep the Stew Base

1. Melt Butter: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. The butter should melt and bubble, but not brown.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
3. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, allowing it to become fragrant.

Step 2: Thicken the Broth

1. Add Flour: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to coat the veggies in the flour. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw taste of the flour.
2. Gradually Add Broth: Slowly whisk in 4 cups of chicken broth, making sure to break up any lumps. Continue whisking until smooth.
3. Simmer: Bring the broth to a simmer over medium heat. Allow it to simmer for about 5-7 minutes until the broth begins to thicken slightly.

Step 3: Add the Cream and Chicken

1. Stir in Cream and Chicken: Add 1 cup of heavy cream (or whole milk for a lighter option) to the pot and stir well. Then, add the 2 cups of shredded chicken, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
2. Simmer: Let the stew simmer gently for 5–10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 4: Prepare the Dumplings

1. Make Dumpling Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until just combined. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.

Step 5: Drop the Dumplings

1. Drop Dumplings into Stew: Once the stew is simmering and the broth has thickened, use a spoon to drop the dumpling batter in large spoonfuls over the surface of the stew. The dumplings should sit on top of the broth.
2. Cover the Pot: Do not stir the stew after adding the dumplings. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 6: Cook the Dumplings

1. Steam the Dumplings: Let the dumplings steam in the simmering broth for 15–20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time to keep the steam trapped, which helps the dumplings cook through.
2. Check for Doneness: After 15 minutes, check the dumplings by inserting a toothpick into the center of one. If it comes out clean, the dumplings are done.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve Hot: Once the dumplings are cooked, ladle the stew and dumplings into bowls. You can garnish with fresh parsley for added color and flavor.
2. Enjoy: Serve with a side of crusty bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.

Additional Tips & Customizations:

• Make it Lighter: For a lighter option, you can substitute whole milk instead of heavy cream and use less butter in the dumplings.
• Herbs and Spices: If you love fresh herbs, consider adding fresh thyme and parsley at the end, right before serving. For a little kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika.
• Vegetable Variations: Feel free to swap out some of the veggies. Peas, parsnips, or potatoes would be great additions or substitutions.
• Chicken Options: If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, cooked chicken breast or thighs work perfectly. Just shred the chicken after it’s cooked.

This Chicken and Dumplings recipe is all about comfort and flavor. The creamy stew with soft dumplings is a perfect dish for any time you need something hearty, filling, and satisfying. Whether it’s a cozy dinner or a meal for a crowd, this recipe will not disappoint! Enjoy!