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Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings in a pot with fluffy dumplings on top, comforting classic dinner recipe.

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.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
1 hour 40 minutes

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.