Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings – Comfort in Every Spoonful

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings – Comfort in Every Spoonful

There’s something timeless about Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings that brings warmth and comfort to the dinner table. This hearty, rich, and soul-satisfying meal combines tender shredded chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings that soak up every bit of the savory goodness.

If you love comforting classics, you might also enjoy this Homemade Chicken Broth guide that ensures you’re using the best base for your soups and stews.

Why This Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Works

This recipe uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients you likely have on hand while delivering deep flavor through a slow simmer and fresh aromatics. Using a whole chicken not only provides juicy meat but also enhances the broth naturally, creating a rich base for the dumplings.

For readers looking for more hearty comfort meals, check out our Homemade Fruit Cake , which pair beautifully with this dish, bringing a touch of Southern tradition to your table.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Stew:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs), cut into pieces

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 2 cups water

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley or thyme

• ¾ cup milk

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

 Prepare the Chicken Stew

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, and celery, sautéing until softened (about 5–7 minutes). Add the chicken pieces, browning them lightly to deepen the flavor.

Pour in the chicken broth and water, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged. Add the bay leaves, thyme, and season generously with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Tip: Simmering the chicken slowly extracts collagen and flavor, enriching the broth naturally without additives.

 Shred the Chicken

Carefully remove the chicken pieces from the pot, allowing them to cool slightly. Discard the bones and skin, shredding the meat into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the simmering broth.

For readers who want to learn more about safely handling chicken, the FDA guide on handling poultry is an excellent resource.

 Make the Dumpling Dough

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and herbs (parsley or thyme). Stir in the milk and melted butter until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can toughen the dumplings.

 Add Dumplings

Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the simmering stew. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to low. Do not lift the lid for 15–20 minutes to allow the dumplings to steam and cook through without releasing steam.

 Serve Warm

Remove the bay leaves, taste, and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the hearty chicken stew into bowls, ensuring each serving has tender dumplings on top. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and freshness.

If you love traditional comfort food, you will also enjoy our Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake as a perfect side for this dish.

Tips & Variations

Add vegetables: For extra nutrients, add peas, corn, or green beans to the stew before adding dumplings.

Herb swaps: Try rosemary or dill in the dumplings for a unique flavor twist.

Richness: Add a splash of cream to the broth before serving for a creamy chicken and dumplings variation.

Rotisserie chicken: In a hurry? Use shredded rotisserie chicken and pre-made broth to save time while maintaining flavor.

For more comforting dishes to add to your collection, check out Sticky Honey Garlic Ribs Recipe for another cozy dinner idea.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Freezing: Freeze the stew without dumplings for up to 3 months. Add fresh dumplings when reheating for best texture.

Time & Yield

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 60 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

• Yield: Serves 6–8

Tools Needed

 Large pot or Dutch oven

 Mixing bowls

 Whisk and spatula

 Sharp knife and cutting board

 Ladle for serving

Nutrition (per serving, approximate)

• Calories: 420

• Protein: 28g

• Carbohydrates: 36g

• Fat: 18g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 4g

FAQs About Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour for the dumplings and ensure your broth is gluten-free.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken?
Absolutely, using bone-in, skinless thighs will give you rich flavor with less prep.

Why are my dumplings dense?
Overmixing the dough can cause dense dumplings. Mix just until combined and avoid lifting the lid while cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings recipe brings the nostalgia of home-cooked meals straight to your kitchen. It’s perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a comforting dish that nourishes the soul and satisfies the appetite.

For more comforting recipes and Southern classics, explore our collection on Brandirecipes.com.

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Summary: This Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings recipe brings you fluffy, tender dumplings simmered in a rich, savory chicken broth with shredded chicken and vegetables. A comforting, homestyle dish perfect for cozy dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients:
• For the Chicken Stew:
• 1 whole chicken about 3–4 lbs, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 3 carrots sliced
• 2 celery stalks sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Dumplings:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley or thyme
• ¾ cup milk
• 3 tablespoons butter melted

Equipment

• Equipment:
• Large pot with lid
• Mixing bowls
• - Wooden spoon
• Ladle

Method

 

1. Instructions:
2. 1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken Stew
3. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté until softened. Add chicken pieces and brown lightly. Pour in chicken broth and water. Add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
4. 2️⃣ Shred the Chicken
5. Remove chicken, discard bones and skin, and shred the meat. Return shredded chicken to the pot and bring to a gentle boil.
6. 3️⃣ Make the Dumpling Dough
7. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and herbs. Stir in milk and melted butter until just combined.
8. 4️⃣ Add Dumplings
9. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the simmering stew. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook without lifting the lid for 15–20 minutes until dumplings are cooked through.
10. 5️⃣ Serve
11. Remove bay leaves. Ladle the chicken stew and dumplings into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Notes:
For extra richness, add ½ cup heavy cream to the broth before adding the dumplings.

You can add frozen peas during the last 10 minutes for extra vegetables.

To prevent soggy dumplings, ensure the broth is simmering before adding them and do not lift the lid during cooking.