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
Scale
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.