On a chilly evening, nothing can be better than a bowl of dumplings and chicken. I had a long history with that dish from my childhood, when my grandma used to prepare it in her kitchen. I still can smell the aroma of simmering broth and fluffy dumplings. Today, I am sharing the entire chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch. And it’s possible to prepare this mouthwatering dish within 60 minutes.
I am sure this recipe will give you the same warmth and comfort that I used to have in my grandma’s kitchen. Even when you are using simple ingredients and giving minimal effort, I can ensure you are going to have a restaurant-quality result every time. If you are craving a comfortable, classic homemade chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch, you’ve just discovered it.
Why This Is the Best Chicken and Dumplings Recipe from Scratch
This is the best chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch, which you can prepare in under one hour. After testing more than five variations, I have found this recipe stands out for its incredible warmth and simplicity. It comes with soft dumplings, tender chicken, and velvety broth – perfect for a busy weeknight. You can still modify the recipe for low-carb chicken so that everyone can enjoy it regardless of dietary preferences.
Chicken and Dumplings Recipe From Scratch
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot (4-5 quart capacity)
- Medium mixing bowl
- Sharp chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups (dry and liquid)
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Ladle
- Small bowl for egg mixture
- Kitchen towel
- Vegetable peeler
Ingredients
For the Chicken Base:
- 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts for low carb option)
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or almond flour for low carb chicken and dumplings from scratch)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
For the Dumplings:
- ¾ cup cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for low carb variation)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 6 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Prepare Your Ingredients
Gather all the ingredients and prepare to begin with this easy chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch. If you keep everything ready, the whole process will flow smoothly. To cook your carrot and celery evenly, dice them into ½-inch pieces. Mince the garlic and chop the onion finely. To ensure a consistent cooking experience, you need to cut chicken thighs into 1-inch chunks and ensure they are of similar sizes. If you keep everything prepped, it will make your cooking seamless and enjoyable.Sauté the Aromatics
Heat your Dutch oven over medium heat. Now, add the butter and wait until it melts and begins to foam. Then add carrot, celery, and chopped onion. Sauté them for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes grayish, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it is fragrant. This step plays a vital role in building depth of flavor in this simple chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch.Cook the Chicken
Keep the chicken in the center of the pot and keep the vegetables to the sides. Season it generously with pepper and salt and cook for 4-5 minutes. Wait until the chicken is mostly cooked and a little bit brown on the edge, and don’t forget to stir occasionally. No need to cook the chicken completely in this stage because it will be cooking in the broth too.Create the Roux and Build the Broth
You need to create a roux that will thicken your broth naturally. To do that, sprinkle the flour over the chicken and vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes until the raw flour taste gets cooked out. Now, gradually pour in the water and chicken broth. Keep whisking constantly if you want to get rid of lumps. It’s time to add the dried thyme and bay leaf. Do a gentle boil first and then reduce the heat to a 15-minute steady simmer. It will allow the flavor to meld, and the broth will be slightly thicker.Make the Dumpling Dough
When your chicken mixture is simmering, prepare your dumplings. Take the flour, salt, baking powder, and garlic powder in a medium bowl and whisk them. Put the cubed butter into the flour and use your fork or fingertip until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the chopped parsley, pour milk, and stir them gently until you have a shaggy dough.Drop the Dumplings
Take the bay leaf out of your simmering chicken mixture. Stir in the heavy cream and make sure the seasoning is alright with salt and pepper. Now drop two heaping tablespoon-sized portions of dumpling dough onto the surface of the simmering liquid with a spoon. In this stage, you should have 6-7 dumplings. Don’t stir after adding the dumpling.Steam the Dumplings
Take a tight-fitting lid and cover the pot. Reduce the heat to low and let the dumplings steam for 12-15 minutes without any break. When the temptation is at its peak, lift the lid and release steam, and prevent the dumplings from getting cooked properly. The dumplings are done when they appear dry on top, and they’ve puffed up. You can insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, then it’s done.Finish and Serve
Once the dumplings are done, you should take the pot out of the heat and rest it for 2-3 minutes. This step is very important, and it allows the sauce to thicken slightly. Now, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, ladle the vegetable, chicken, creamy broth, and dumplings into shallow bowls. Make sure each serving gets 3-4 dumplings. To enjoy the best experience, serve immediately.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Total Calories per Serving: Approximately 580-620 calories
Per Serving Breakdown:
- Protein: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fat: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
More Chicken-Based Recipes
Ingredient Breakdown: Health Benefits and Roles
For the Chicken Base:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – Its higher fat makes the meat tender and moist during cooking. It provides iron, zinc, protein, and other essentials for muscle growth and the immune system.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth – It forms a flavourful base of the entire recipe and provie mineral and collagen. This version of low-sodium helps control your blood pressure, and it’s great for hydration.
Carrots – Full of vitamin A, fiber, and beta-carotene that support eye health and are great for digestion. It also adds natural sweetness and color while adding antioxidants. It’s extremely healthy and has no downsides, which makes it a powerhouse of nutrition.
Celery – It has low calories but high vitamin K, potassium, and antioxidants. Celery adds aromatic flavor and depth to the recipe while reducing inflammation and supporting heart health.
Yellow Onion – It boosts immunity and reduces inflammation. It helps with the chicken and dumpling recipe from scratch to get a savory depth and natural sweetness.
Garlic – It works great for the immune system and is extremely healthy for the stomach. And it has a great contribution to enhancing the flavor dramatically.
Unsalted Butter – Adds creamy, rich flavor and helps sauté vegetables. It provides fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K. Suggested to not use excess amount, otherwise it can saturate fat intake.
All-Purpose Flour – It creates the roux that thickens the broth and gives a silky texture. It provides carbohydrates but lacks nutrients. If you have gluten sensitivity should use alternatives.
Heavy Cream – It adds a velvety mouthfeel and richness while adding vitamin D and calcium. It makes the sauce creamy, tasty, and comforting. But it has saturated fat and calories.
Bay Leaf – To add a subtle, earthy floral note, you should put bay leaf in the recipe. It comes with antioxidants and aids digestion.
Dried Thyme – It is a highly beneficial herb with vitamin C, antibacterial properties, and antioxidants. It has no significant health concerns.
Black Pepper – It is very healthy, with anti-inflammatory benefits, and contains antioxidants. It adds a subtle heat and enhances nutrient absorption.
Fresh Parsley – Parsley supports immunity and bone health, and it acts as a natural breath freshener. It literally has no health downsides.
For the Dumplings:
All-Purpose Flour (Dumplings) – This is very important to create and structure fluffy, tender dumplings. It is acceptable in a balanced diet, but has minimal nutritional value.
Baking Powder – It has no such health value, but generally safe for cooking. But you need to check the sodium intake. It create airy and light texture in the dumplings.
Garlic Powder – Fresh garlic helps improve immunity, and it’s highly important in this recipe to improve the dumpling texture. It is a healthy seasoning option.
Cold Unsalted Butter (Dumplings) – Try to use quality butter for a better flavor. It adds richness and prevents dumplings from becoming gummy. It also plays a role in tender texture by forming steam during cooking.
Whole Milk – Full of calcium, vitamin D, and protein. It is a healthy dairy option; those with lactose intolerance need to find alternatives.
Fresh Parsley (Dumplings) – It provides vitamins and herbal notes directly into dumplings while contributing to color and flavor. It enhances visual appeal with zero health concerns.
Protein-Rich Comfort Food for Muscle Health
This homemade, easy chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch provides around 38 grams of protein per serving. They are essential for immune function and muscle repair. It also has complete amino acids while supporting metabolism. This recipe is combined with nutrient-dense vegetables like celery and carrots. They are providing vitamin A, K, and antioxidants that are highly beneficial for eye health and bone strength. The warm broth helps to reduce inflammation and aid digestion. Overall, it’s a great recipe to aid hydration. It’s a great dish during cold weather or when you are having a little sick day.
Best Chicken and Dumplings Recipe from Scratch for Balanced Nutrition
You have complete control over fat, sodium, and ingredient quality that you can’t get in a heavy restaurant version. This low-carb recipe uses almond flour that reduces refined carbohydrates while maintaining healthy fats and fiber. It has fresh herbs such as parsley and thyme, which are great for digestive comfort. This is a wholesome, comforting bowl of dumplings with balanced nutrients – protein, healthy fats give you a genuine comfort dish. I am sure your partner or your family will love this quick meal.
FAQ
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Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for this homemade chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch?
Yes, of course. Chicken breasts work nicely and create a leaner dish. Just make sure to cut them into 1-inch chunks and reduce the cooking time a little bit, because breasts cook faster than thighs.
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How do I store leftover chicken and dumplings?
You can store it for up to 3 days; you need to use an airtight container in the refrigerator for that. As you know, dumplings absorb liquid, so when you reheat them, add a splash of chicken broth and warm gently.
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Can I make this easy chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the broth base and chicken ahead, but you need to cook dumpling fresh. You can refrigerate the base, then reheat and add fresh dumplings for a fluffy result.
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What’s the best way to make low-carb chicken and dumplings from scratch?
For a low-carb experience, you need to substitute almond flour in both the dumplings and roux. Follow the rest according to the similar measurements and identical cooking instructions. It will reduce the carbs to approximately 15-18 grams per serving.
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Can I freeze this chicken and dumplings?
You can free the chicken and broth base. It’s not a good idea to freeze dumplings, because they become mushy. Freeze the base only when you are reheating; prepare fresh dumplings.
Grab your ingredients and try this chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch. Don’t forget to share your result with us.
About the photos: The images in this post are AI-generated illustrations created to help visualize the recipe.