Chicken and dumplings is one of those quintessential comfort food dishes that has reigned supreme for decades because it’s simple, inexpensive, nutritious, and just plain good. Chicken was on sale last week at the grocery store, so this was actually what I made for my holiday main course this weekend–because it’s not only inexpensive, it’s good enough for a holiday table. (Don’t tell anybody it’s cheap, they don’t need to know.) You can use any chicken pieces you want. It was chicken thighs that were on sale, I used thighs.
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Chicken and Dumplings
2-3 pounds chicken, cut up
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cups water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
4 carrots, sliced
4 stalks celery, sliced
dumplings (see below)
1/4 cup flour
In a large Dutch oven, combine chicken, onion, water, and bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Add carrots and celery. Cover and simmer another 10 minutes.
Time for dumplings! Dumplings of the savory kind are little balls of dough that are most commonly made of flour and boiled in broth. There are other types of dumplings, such as the sweet kind that are fried (see Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings) or other savory dumplings made with a combination of flour, potatoes, and other ingredients, filled or not filled, baked, fried, or boiled, and rolled or dropped. We’re talking dropped dumplings today, and the most common type of dumpling seen in chicken and dumplings.
2/3 cup flour
1 1/2 tablespoons seasonings and herbs of choice
2 tablespoons cooking oil
milk
Combine the flour, seasonings/herbs, and oil in a bowl. Start adding milk gradually. Stir in enough milk to bring the mixture to the consistency of dropped biscuit dough. The dough mixture should be moist, but hold together.
Drop the dumplings by heaping tablespoonfuls on top of the chicken and vegetables in the pot. Cover and simmer 12-15 minutes until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through. Remove the chickens, dumplings, and vegetables from the pot with a slotted spoon, transferring to a baking dish.
Skim fat from the broth. Place about 1/2 cup of the broth in a cup, adding 1/4 cup of flour. Whisk together then add back into the broth in the pot, whisking and simmering to a smooth gravy. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Pour gravy over the chicken and vegetables. At this point, you can keep the dish warm in the oven or serve immediately!
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Joell says:
:happyflower:
This is such a beautiful post, my Mom made chicken and dumplings quite often when we were growing up, and they were delicious (every thing Mom maked was the best) I make them once in a while and they are some of the best comfort food ever. Personally, I think they are an excellent holiday meal. Thank you for posting your recipe.
On April 7, 2015 at 12:36 pm
LynneW says:
Hi Suzanne,
I have wanted a Dutch oven for some time, but the cast-iron ones are too heavy for me, especially when full.
What type are you using there, please? I’d like to know the brand, material (steel?) and size, if it’s something you’ve bought recently enough for me to purchase also.
And if not, could someone recommend a relatively light one?
Thank you!
On April 7, 2015 at 5:36 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
That’s a Calphalon stainless steel Dutch oven.
On April 8, 2015 at 12:34 pm
joeyfulnoise says:
Made this for dinner last night – hubbie loved it. Thanks for posting!
On April 8, 2015 at 9:42 am
Carmi says:
This is how I make my dumplings but I’d had requests to make them differently. I think it’s German but the dumplings are more bread dough-like. Does anyone know of these or was it just a family recipe.
On April 8, 2015 at 11:18 am
LynneW says:
Thank you, Suzanne!
Now to print the recipe (mmmmm, dumplings!) and go to the store for the pan! I can see yummy dinners in my near future.
And I wanted to say, I really appreciate how you de-mystify so many aspects of cooking. Through your website, I’m slowly venturing into many areas of cooking that I never dared attempt before, because you explain the individual steps, and the reasons behind them, so clearly. I am grateful, as is my family!
On April 8, 2015 at 1:37 pm
yvonnem says:
I’ve never owned or used a dutch oven and am wondering about the size. How big is the one you used?
On April 8, 2015 at 7:35 pm