Chicken and Dumplings 🍗🥣
This Chicken and Dumplings recipe is classic comfort food at its best: tender chicken and vegetables simmered in a rich, creamy broth, topped with soft, fluffy homemade dumplings.
It’s warm, hearty, budget-friendly, and perfect for family dinners, chilly evenings, Sunday supper, or anytime you’re craving an old-fashioned homemade meal.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6–8
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic old-fashioned comfort food
- Tender, juicy chicken
- Soft and fluffy homemade dumplings
- Rich and creamy broth
- Made in one pot
- Family-friendly
- Perfect for leftover chicken
- Easy to make ahead
- Simple everyday ingredients
Ingredients
For the Chicken Soup
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For the Homemade Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- ¾ cup whole milk
How to Make Chicken and Dumplings
Step 1: Cook the Vegetables
Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot over medium heat.
Add:
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
Cook for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Base
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables.
Stir continuously for about 1–2 minutes.
This cooks away the raw flour taste and helps thicken the broth.
Step 3: Add the Broth
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring.
Add the milk and heavy cream.
Stir well until smooth.
Step 4: Season the Soup
Add:
- Thyme
- Sage
- Poultry seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The broth should begin to thicken slightly.
Step 5: Add the Chicken
Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and frozen peas.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and keep the soup at a gentle simmer while you prepare the dumplings.
How to Make Fluffy Dumplings
Step 6: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl combine:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Parsley
Whisk together.
Step 7: Add the Butter
Cut the cold butter into small cubes.
Work it into the flour mixture using your fingers, a fork, or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 8: Add the Milk
Pour in the milk.
Gently stir just until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
Don’t overmix.
Overmixing can make the dumplings dense instead of fluffy.
Cooking the Dumplings
Step 9: Drop the Dumplings
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop portions of dough directly onto the gently simmering soup.
Leave a little space between each dumpling because they expand while cooking.
Step 10: Cover and Cook
Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
Reduce the heat to low.
Cook for approximately 15 minutes.
Don’t lift the lid while the dumplings cook.
The trapped steam helps them become light and fluffy.
Step 11: Check for Doneness
Remove the lid and check one of the larger dumplings.
The center should be cooked through rather than wet or doughy.
If necessary, cover and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Step 12: Finish
Stir fresh parsley into the broth around the dumplings.
Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
Serve immediately while warm.
Tips for the Best Chicken and Dumplings
Don’t Boil the Soup Aggressively
Keep the broth at a gentle simmer. Hard boiling can cause the dumplings to break apart.
Use Cold Butter
Cold butter creates lighter, more tender dumplings.
Don’t Overmix
Mix the dumpling dough only until everything comes together.
Keep the Lid Closed
Steam is essential for properly cooking drop dumplings.
Use Cooked Chicken
Rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken makes this recipe especially quick.
What Chicken Works Best?
You can use:
- Rotisserie chicken
- Roasted chicken
- Poached chicken
- Cooked chicken thighs
- Leftover cooked chicken
A combination of light and dark meat provides particularly good flavor.
Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits
Short on time?
Replace the homemade dumplings with refrigerated biscuit dough.
Cut each biscuit into small pieces and place them over the gently simmering chicken mixture.
Cover and cook until the biscuit dough is completely cooked through.
This creates an easy shortcut version for busy weeknights.
Variations
Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings
Use rolled, flat dumplings instead of drop biscuits for a more traditional Southern-style version.
Extra Creamy
Add another ½ cup heavy cream before adding the dumplings.
Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings
Add corn, green beans, mushrooms, or additional carrots.
Herb Dumplings
Add chopped thyme, rosemary, chives, or parsley directly to the dumpling dough.
Slow Cooker Version
Cook the chicken, broth, vegetables, and seasonings on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
Add the dumplings near the end and cook until completely done.
What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings
This is already a filling meal, but you can pair it with:
- Green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Garden salad
- Glazed carrots
- Roasted vegetables
- Corn on the cob
- Fresh fruit
- Cucumber salad
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
The dumplings will continue absorbing some broth during storage, so the dish may become thicker.
Reheating
Stovetop
Reheat gently over medium-low heat.
Add a splash of chicken broth or milk if the sauce has become too thick.
Microwave
Heat individual portions in short intervals until thoroughly heated, stirring the broth gently between intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my dumplings dense?
The dough was probably overmixed, or the baking powder may no longer be fresh.
Why are my dumplings raw inside?
They may need additional steaming time. Keep the pot covered and continue cooking for a few more minutes.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely. It’s one of the easiest ways to make this recipe quickly.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Chicken thighs provide excellent flavor and remain tender.
Can I make Chicken and Dumplings ahead?
You can prepare the chicken soup base ahead of time. For the best texture, prepare and cook the dumplings shortly before serving.
Can I use canned biscuits?
Yes. Refrigerated biscuit dough is an easy shortcut.
Why did my soup become too thick?
The dumplings absorb liquid as they cook. Add additional chicken broth until you reach your preferred consistency.
Why is my broth too thin?
Allow it to simmer for several minutes before adding the dumplings. The flour in the soup base should gradually thicken it.
Can I add potatoes?
Yes. Small diced potatoes can be simmered with the carrots and celery until tender.
Can I freeze Chicken and Dumplings?
The chicken soup base freezes well. Dumplings are best made fresh because freezing can change their texture.
Can I make it without heavy cream?
Yes. Replace the heavy cream with additional whole milk or broth.
How do I know when the dumplings are done?
Cut into one of the larger dumplings. The center should look fluffy and completely cooked, with no wet dough.
Pro Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken to save preparation time.
- Keep the soup at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil.
- Use fresh baking powder for fluffy dumplings.
- Keep the butter cold until you’re ready to make the dough.
- Don’t overwork the dumpling mixture.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized dumplings.
- Keep the lid closed while the dumplings steam.
- Add peas near the end so they retain their color and texture.
- Keep extra chicken broth nearby for thinning leftovers.
- Finish with fresh parsley and black pepper just before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken and Dumplings recipe delivers everything you want from classic comfort food: tender chicken, vegetables, creamy savory broth, and big, fluffy homemade dumplings.
It’s hearty enough to serve as a complete family dinner and easy to adapt using rotisserie chicken or refrigerated biscuits when you’re short on time. Make a big pot for Sunday dinner or a cozy weeknight meal, and serve it piping hot straight from the stove.