Description
This classic Chicken and Dumplings recipe features tender shredded chicken simmered in a buttery vegetable broth with fluffy homemade dumplings. It’s a comforting, hearty dish perfect for cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1 (32 oz) quart chicken stock
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
- Salt, pepper, and thyme, to taste
Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, matchstick carrots, and diced celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the Roux and Add Liquids: Sprinkle the 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour into the pot and stir constantly for one minute to create a roux that will thicken the broth. Gradually pour in the evaporated milk and chicken stock while continuously stirring to prevent any lumps from forming.
- Add Chicken and Season: If using raw chicken, add it now along with an extra cup of broth and simmer for about 20 minutes until cooked through; then shred the chicken and return it to the pot. If using pre-cooked chicken, simply add the shredded chicken along with thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer.
- Prepare Dumpling Batter: While the soup simmers, in a separate bowl, combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, melted butter, and milk. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix or the dumplings will become tough.
- Cook Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter by the tablespoon into the simmering broth. Do not cover the pot to allow the dumplings to cook through slowly and become fluffy, cooking for about 15 minutes or until dumplings are cooked in the center.
Notes
- Ensure dumplings are dropped gently to maintain their shape.
- Use cooked rotisserie chicken as a shortcut to save time.
- For richer flavor, use homemade chicken stock if available.
- Do not stir dumplings once they start cooking to avoid breaking them apart.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end to taste.
