This easy homemade Chicken and Dumplings recipe is perfect for busy nights when you crave a comforting and delicious meal. By using rotisserie chicken and store-bought broth, you can make this dish from scratch without spending too much time in the kitchen. The addition of fresh thyme in the dumplings adds a wonderful flavor that takes this classic dish to the next level.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of butter, divided
- 2 small carrots, diced
- 2 stalks of celery (including leaves), diced
- 1 diced onion
- 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, divided
- 4 cups of low-sodium chicken stock/broth
- 1 cup of whole milk, divided
- 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried), plus more for garnish
- 2 cups of cooked diced or shredded chicken
- Extra salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onions. Sauté until they soften slightly and begin to brown, which should take about 3 minutes.
2. Add 1/4 cup of flour to the pot and stir to coat the vegetables.
3. Pour in the chicken broth (4 cups) and bring it to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to simmer and add 1/2 cup of milk and the cooked chicken. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the dumplings by combining the remaining 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves in a separate bowl. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent dense dumplings.
6. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture into the simmering pot. A small cookie scoop or a tablespoon can be used for this step.
7. Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, or until the dumplings become fluffy, fully cooked, and float to the top. Avoid lifting the lid while cooking.
8. Serve the Chicken and Dumplings garnished with additional fresh thyme leaves and freshly ground pepper, if desired.
Notes:
- If you are sensitive to salt, consider reducing the amount of salt in the dumpling mixture by half, as they tend to be on the salty side. Adjust according to your preference.
- Ensure that your baking powder is fresh, as older baking powder may result in dense dumplings. If your dumplings turn out dense, this might be the cause.
- If you find that the recipe doesn't yield enough servings for your family, feel free to double the ingredients.
- Leftovers can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
- For a thicker base, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour to the vegetables before adding the broth and milk.
- If you're not a fan of thyme, you can substitute it with other herbs such as parsley, oregano, or dill, or omit it altogether.
- To add more variety to the dish, consider adding additional vegetables such as frozen peas, corn, or baby spinach towards the end of cooking.
- Cooking this recipe in a Dutch Oven is recommended, as it retains heat well. The Cuisinart 5.5 qt. Oval Dutch Oven or the Lodge Dutch Oven are good options.
- The provided nutrition information does not include added seasoning, optional ingredients, or specific brands. You can calculate the nutritional value using an online calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.
This easy homemade Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a wonderful choice for a quick and satisfying meal. By following these simple steps and using readily available ingredients, you can enjoy a comforting dish that is sure to please your taste buds. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy dumplings makes this recipe a true classic. Try it tonight and savor the deliciousness!