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Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

Classic Southern comfort food featuring tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and rich creamy gravy in one hearty pot.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken Base
  • 3 pounds bone-in chicken pieces thighs and breasts
  • 8 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 medium onions diced
  • 3 large carrots sliced
  • 4 stalks celery chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour for thickening
Dumplings
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp cold butter cubed
  • 1 cup whole milk

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or large pot
  • Mixing bowls
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Place chicken in pot with broth and bring to gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add bay leaves, half the onions, salt and pepper, simmer 45 minutes until tender.
  3. Remove chicken to cool, keep broth simmering gently.
  4. Sauté remaining vegetables in butter until softened, about 8 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle flour over vegetables, cook 2 minutes stirring constantly.
  6. Gradually add hot broth to vegetables while whisking, return to pot.
  7. Mix dumpling dry ingredients, cut in cold butter until crumbly.
  8. Add milk to form shaggy dough, don't overmix.
  9. Shred chicken and return to pot.
  10. Drop dumplings by spoonfuls onto simmering surface.
  11. Cover tightly and simmer 15 minutes without lifting lid.
  12. Season to taste and serve immediately.

Notes

Keep lid on while cooking dumplings for proper steaming. Leftovers thicken upon storage, add broth when reheating.