Chicken and Dumplings – Best Ever Easy Cozy Chicken and Dumplings for Weeknights

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bowl of chicken and dumplings with fluffy dumplings and vegetables

A bowl of creamy chicken and dumplings with fluffy dumplings, carrots, celery, and herbs.
Chicken and dumplings is the definition of comfort food. It’s creamy, cozy, and filled with tender chicken pieces and fluffy dumplings that soak up all that savory broth. This chicken and dumplings recipe is perfect for cold nights, family dinners, and when you want a one-pot meal that feels like a hug.

Introduction

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The standout trick here is making sure your broth is gently simmering before you add the dumplings. A steady simmer helps dumplings puff up and cook through without falling apart.

Also, keep the lid on while the dumplings cook. Trust me, that trapped steam is what makes them fluffy instead of dense.

This is a fan-favorite dinner because it tastes like it took all day, but it’s totally doable on a weeknight.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Dumplings

  • Ultimate comfort food: Creamy broth and fluffy dumplings.
  • One-pot dinner: Less cleanup, more cozy.
  • Family-friendly: Classic flavors everyone loves.
  • Great leftovers: Even cozier the next day.
  • Meal prep friendly: Makes a big batch.

Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings

ingredients for chicken and dumplings including chicken broth carrots celery flour butter and baking powder
Simple pantry ingredients for a cozy one-pot dinner

Soup

  • Butter (3 tablespoons): Flavor base.
  • Onion, diced (1 medium): Sweet savory flavor.
  • Carrots, sliced (1 1/2 cups): Color and sweetness.
  • Celery, sliced (1 cup): Classic soup base.
  • Garlic, minced (3 cloves): Big flavor.
  • Chicken broth, low-sodium (6 cups): Low-sodium lets you control salt.
  • Chicken pieces (1 1/2 pounds): Use boneless chicken cutlets or tenders; easy to shred.
  • Dried thyme (1/2 teaspoon): Cozy flavor.
  • Salt (1 teaspoon) + black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adjust at the end.
  • Milk (1 cup): Makes it creamy; half-and-half works too.
  • Flour (3 tablespoons): Thickens the broth.

Dumplings

  • All-purpose flour (2 cups): Dumpling base.
  • Baking powder (1 tablespoon): Makes dumplings fluffy.
  • Salt (1 teaspoon): Flavor.
  • Butter, melted (3 tablespoons): Tender texture.
  • Milk (3/4 cup): Moist dumplings.
  • Chopped parsley (2 tablespoons): Fresh finish.

Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Step-by-Step

four panel collage showing steps to make chicken and dumplings
Simmer, shred, drop dumplings, and steam until fluffy
  • 1. Sauté: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion, carrots, and celery 6–8 minutes until softened. Add garlic and thyme for 30 seconds.
  • 2. Simmer: Add broth and chicken pieces. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 12–15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  • 3. Shred: Remove chicken, shred, and return to the pot. Whisk flour with milk until smooth, then stir into the soup. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • 4. Mix dumplings: Stir flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add melted butter and milk and stir just until combined.
  • 5. Drop: Keep soup at a gentle simmer. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough over the surface.
  • 6. Steam: Cover and cook 12–15 minutes without lifting the lid, until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
  • 7. Finish: Stir in parsley. If it’s too thick, add a splash of broth until it’s creamy and spoonable.

Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings

  • Keep a gentle simmer—boiling can break dumplings apart.
  • Don’t peek while dumplings steam.
  • Mix dumpling dough gently so they stay tender.
  • Add broth if it thickens while sitting.
  • Taste and season at the end.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Veggie boost: Add peas in the last 5 minutes.
  • Herbier: Add fresh dill or extra parsley.
  • Lighter: Use milk instead of half-and-half.
  • Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for dumplings (texture will be softer).
  • Leftovers: Serve as a thick stew with extra veggies.

Storing & Reheating

Fridge: Store 3–4 days.
Reheat: Warm gently with broth to loosen.
Freezer: Freeze the soup base up to 2 months (dumplings can get softer after freezing).

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

  • Simple salad
  • Roasted broccoli
  • Crackers or warm rolls

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: —

Reader Review: The dumplings were so fluffy and the broth was super creamy. Total comfort food.

If you make chicken and dumplings, leave a rating and comment. Do you like extra dumplings or extra veggies?

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