If you have ever craved a dish that wraps you up in warm, cozy comfort and makes you feel instantly at home, this One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s all about tender chicken simmered with fresh vegetables in a rich broth, crowned with pillowy, light dumplings made from scratch right in the pot. Every spoonful delivers a harmony of flavors and textures that feel like a hug for your taste buds. Whether it’s a chilly day or you simply want a hearty meal, this recipe is a true classic that never goes out of style.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make this cozy One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is a breeze, thanks to the straightforward but essential ingredients. Each item plays a key role in building the dish’s flavor, texture, and satisfying color, ensuring your meal is delicious every single time.
- Chicken thighs: These bring tender, juicy meat with fantastic flavor that stands up well in slow cooking.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and a savory base that enriches the broth.
- Carrots: Offer a subtle natural sweetness and a pop of bright orange color.
- Celery: Contributes a fresh, slightly peppery crunch that balances the softness.
- Chicken broth: The backbone of the dish’s comforting and flavorful liquid.
- Flour: Used both in the broth to thicken it slightly and in the dumpling dough.
- Baking powder: Gives the dumplings their light, fluffy texture.
- Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness to the dumpling dough.
- Butter: Brings richness and smoothness, both in the dumplings and the broth’s finish.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors in the dish.
- Pepper: Adds a gentle kick to keep every bite interesting.
How to Make One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables and Cook the Chicken
Start by gently cooking your onions, carrots, and celery in your pot with a bit of butter until they’re soft and fragrant. This step builds a flavorful base. Then, add the chicken thighs and pour in the chicken broth. Bring everything to a simmer and let the ingredients meld together until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are perfectly cooked.
Step 2: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove it from the pot and shred the meat using two forks. This ensures every bite will have that tender, juicy texture that makes the dish so satisfying. Return the shredded chicken back to the simmering broth and vegetables to soak up the flavors.
Step 3: Prepare the Dumpling Dough
While the chicken cooks, mix up a simple dough using flour, baking powder, milk, and butter. This dough is quick to throw together and will transform into light, fluffy dumplings that float atop the stew. The baking powder is key to giving your dumplings that perfect fluffy rise.
Step 4: Add Dumplings and Cook
Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough straight into the simmering chicken and vegetable broth. Cover the pot tightly and let the dumplings steam for about 15 to 20 minutes. Resist the urge to lift the lid too early—this steam cooking is exactly what makes those dumplings soft and tender.
Step 5: Final Seasoning and Serve
After your dumplings have puffed up and are cooked through, give the stew a taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. This final touch will balance all the flavors perfectly. Now your comforting pot of fluffy dumplings and succulent chicken is ready to enjoy!
How to Serve One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Garnishes
To make your One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe shine even brighter, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top just before serving. These fresh herbs add a wonderful burst of color and a subtle brightness that lifts the whole dish.
Side Dishes
This dish is so hearty it can stand alone, but if you want to add a little something on the side, a crisp green salad or lightly steamed green beans provide a refreshing contrast. A warm crusty bread is also perfect for dipping into the luscious broth.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy family dinner, serve the One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe right out of the pot to keep it warm and inviting. Or, dish it into rustic bowls and garnish each with a pat of butter to melt slowly over the steaming dumplings. No matter how you plate it, this dish looks as comforting as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the dish cool to room temperature, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen when rested, making your next meal just as delightful.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but know that dumplings may change texture slightly after thawing. Freeze the soup and shredded chicken separately from the dumplings in airtight containers for best results. When reheating, add fresh dumplings to keep that lovely fluffy texture intact.
Reheating
Reheat gently over low to medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If the broth has thickened too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore the perfect consistency. Avoid microwaving dumplings to maintain their texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but chicken thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful in this recipe. If you use breasts, watch closely to avoid drying them out during cooking.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth and replace the chicken with hearty mushrooms or beans, but the dish will have a different, lighter flavor.
Are there gluten-free alternatives for the dumplings?
Absolutely! You can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of milk slightly based on the blend’s absorption.
How long can I store leftovers?
Stored properly in the fridge, leftovers are best eaten within 3 days to maintain flavor and freshness.
What’s the best pot to use for this recipe?
A heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch oven works wonderfully to evenly distribute heat and prevent burning while simmering the chicken and dumplings.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about a bowl of homemade One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe—it’s comfort food at its finest, with minimal fuss and maximum warmth. I encourage you to try making this dish for your next family dinner or when you want to feel wrapped in a cozy culinary hug. Once you taste those tender chicken pieces paired with fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this classic in your recipe collection.
Print
One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and classic one-pot chicken and dumplings recipe that delivers tender chicken simmered with aromatic vegetables in a savory broth, topped with fluffy, homemade dumplings. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy meal and brings warmth and satisfaction in every bite.
Ingredients
Chicken and Broth
- 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Dumplings
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken and Vegetables: In a large pot, combine chicken thighs, chopped onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 25-30 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from the pot and place on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, discarding bones. Return the shredded chicken to the pot to keep it warm.
- Prepare the Dumpling Dough: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the milk and melted butter, stirring until just combined to form a soft dough. Avoid overmixing to keep the dumplings tender.
- Add Dumplings to the Soup: Drop spoonfuls (about 1-2 tablespoons each) of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the simmering soup, spacing them evenly. Cover the pot tightly with a lid to trap steam.
- Cook the Dumplings: Let the dumplings cook without lifting the lid for 15-18 minutes. The steam will gently cook them, making them fluffy and tender. Avoid peeking during cooking to prevent steam loss.
- Season and Serve: After the dumplings are cooked through, season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in a little butter before adding the broth and chicken.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for more flavor; they also stay moist during cooking.
- If the broth reduces too much during cooking, add a splash of water or additional broth.
- For a lighter dumpling, you can substitute half-and-half or buttermilk for regular milk.
- Make sure to cover the pot tightly while cooking dumplings to ensure even steam cooking.
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