Description
This classic Chicken and Dumplings recipe features tender shredded chicken simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables and fluffy homemade dumplings. It’s a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners and chilly days.
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
Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, matchstick carrots, and diced celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Create Roux and Add Liquids: Sprinkle the 3 tablespoons of flour into the pot, stirring constantly for one minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the evaporated milk and chicken stock while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming and to create a smooth broth.
- Add Chicken and Simmer: If using raw chicken, add the raw meat along with an extra cup of chicken stock and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the chicken, shred it with forks, and return it to the pot. If using pre-cooked chicken, add the shredded chicken directly along with thyme, black pepper, and salt. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: While the broth simmers, mix together the 2 cups flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, melted butter, and milk in a bowl. Stir just until combined without overmixing to keep the dumplings light and fluffy.
- Cook Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter carefully into the simmering broth. Allow the dumplings to cook uncovered for approximately 15 minutes until they puff up and become fluffy. Avoid stirring to keep dumplings intact.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken leftover or rotisserie chicken for faster preparation.
- Do not overmix dumpling batter to avoid dense dumplings.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to enhance flavor.
- If desired, vegetables can be varied or omitted according to preference.
- For thicker broth, simmer longer before adding dumplings.
