Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings is a hearty, comforting homemade meal.Tender chicken provides savory flavor and satisfying protein.Fluffy dumplings cook directly in a delicious chicken broth.Carrots, celery, and onions add flavor, color, and texture.Simple pantry ingredients make this recipe convenient and budget-friendly.Serve it hot for a cozy family lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Broth
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup milk or heavy cream, optional
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
For the Easy Dumplings
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
Prepare the Vegetables
- Wash and prepare the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Chop the onion and celery into small pieces and slice the carrots evenly so they cook at approximately the same rate.If your chicken is not already cooked, cook it thoroughly before shredding it. Leftover cooked chicken is an excellent time-saving option.
Sauté the Vegetables
- Place a large soup pot over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery.Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add the Chicken Broth
- Pour the chicken broth into the pot. Add the dried thyme, parsley, black pepper, and a small amount of salt.Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until the carrots are nearly tender.
Add the Cooked Chicken
- Stir the shredded chicken into the simmering broth. Allow it to heat through for about 3–5 minutes.If you prefer a creamy consistency, add the milk or cream at this stage and stir gently. For a thicker broth, mix the optional flour with cold water until smooth, then gradually stir it into the pot and simmer briefly.
Prepare the Dumpling Dough
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.Add the milk and melted butter. Stir until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as excessive mixing can make the dumplings dense rather than fluffy.The dough should be moist enough to scoop but firm enough to hold its shape.
Add the Dumplings
- Keep the chicken broth at a gentle simmer. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the broth, leaving a little space between each piece because they will expand as they cook.Do not stir vigorously after adding the dumplings, as this can break them apart.
Cook Until Fluffy
- Cover the pot with a lid and cook the dumplings for approximately 12–15 minutes, depending on their size.Keep the broth at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, because trapped steam helps the dumplings cook evenly.Check a dumpling from the center of the pot to ensure it is cooked through. It should be fluffy inside without a raw, doughy center.
Finish and Serve
- Taste the broth and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Stir in fresh parsley for a bright, fresh flavor.Allow the dish to rest for 2 minutes before serving. Ladle the chicken, vegetables, dumplings, and broth into warm bowls.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover roast chicken makes this recipe especially quick.
- Cut vegetables evenly: Uniform pieces help the vegetables cook at the same rate.
- Use low-sodium broth: This gives you better control over the final salt level.
- Avoid overmixing: Mix the dumpling dough only until the ingredients come together.
- Maintain a gentle simmer: Excessive boiling may break up the dumplings.
- Keep the lid closed: Steam is important for cooking the dumplings properly.
- Adjust the thickness: Add a little broth if the soup becomes too thick, or use the optional flour slurry if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- Serve fresh: Dumplings are at their best when freshly cooked, soft, and fluffy.