Homemade Chicken and Dumplings – Comfort Made Easy!
This chicken and dumplings recipe is the definition of comfort food without the fuss.
With just a handful of pantry staples, you can create a dish that’s warm, hearty, and deliciously satisfying.
The dumplings are soft and pillowy, soaking up the rich, flavorful broth, while the chicken adds that perfect touch of savory goodness.
Whether you’re feeding the family or enjoying a cozy night in, this easy recipe will be your new go-to for a quick and comforting meal!
For Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
- Chicken – I recommend using about 3 cups of cooked chicken. You can use any leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Flour – This is for the dumplings. It helps create that soft, fluffy texture.
- Baking Powder – A little bit to help the dumplings rise and stay light.
- Butter – Adds richness to the dough for the dumplings.
- Salt – Just a pinch or two, to season the dough.
- Milk – Needed to bring the dough together. You can use regular milk, or a dairy-free version if you prefer.
- Chicken Broth – The base for the soup, making it flavorful and comforting.
Optional Ingredients for Customization
- Vegetables – You can add veggies like carrots, celery, or peas to the broth for extra flavor and texture.
- Herbs – Fresh parsley or thyme can be added to elevate the flavor of the broth.
Homemade Chicken and Dumplings – So Easy, You'll Love It!
Ingredients
- About 3 cups cooked chicken
- 6-8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Salt, to taste (just a few shakes!)
- About 1 cup milk (a little less is fine)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a fork or pastry cutter to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the milk gradually, using a fork to mix until a dough forms. The dough should come together into a ball.
- Lightly flour a clean surface to roll out the dough. Grab a rolling pin and something to cut the dumplings (a pizza cutter works great here!). A small spatula will be handy for lifting them.
- Roll out the dough to a thin layer, ensuring it stays well-floured as you roll. Flour your cutter and cut the dough into 2" x 2" squares. They don’t have to be perfect; some might be a little bigger or smaller, and that’s just fine!
- Place the dumplings on a floured plate, separating the layers with more flour to keep them from sticking. If you’re making them ahead, stack them on a cookie sheet with wax paper in between, or freeze them like this before transferring to a ziplock bag.
- To cook, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Gently drop the dumplings in, one at a time, stirring to prevent sticking. The flour on the dumplings will help thicken the broth.
- Let the dumplings cook for about 15-20 minutes or until they’re no longer doughy in the center.
- Add the cooked chicken into the pot, stir, and your hearty, comforting chicken and dumplings are ready to serve! Enjoy!
- Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver. Just shred the chicken and add it to the broth—no need to cook it from scratch!
- How can I make my dumplings even fluffier?
Fresh baking powder is key! If it’s expired, your dumplings might not rise properly. Fresh baking powder will give your dumplings that light, fluffy texture we all crave.
- Do I really need to roll out the dumpling dough?
Nope! You can just drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering broth instead of rolling them out. It’s quicker and still gives you the same fluffy dumplings.
- Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Definitely! Adding vegetables like carrots, peas, or celery can give the dish a boost of flavor and nutrition. Toss them in the broth and cook until tender before adding the dumplings.
- How do I prevent the dumplings from sticking together?
Simmer gently, not boil! Make sure the broth is just simmering when you add the dumplings and don’t stir them once they’re in. This way, they won’t stick together.
