Name: Homemade Chicken & Dumplings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds chicken thighs 1 medium onion, diced 2 carrots, sliced 2 celery stalks, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups chicken broth; 1.5 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 cup milk 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon salt; 0.5 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Few dishes bring comfort quite like a bowl of Homemade Chicken & Dumplings. This Southern classic has a way of making you feel right at home, with tender chicken, pillowy dumplings, and a thick, creamy broth that warms you from the inside out. Whether you’re gathering around the table on a chilly night or cooking up something hearty for the weekend, this dish hits all the cozy notes.

The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With pantry staples and a bit of patience, you can recreate a dish that tastes like it simmered all day long. It’s a family recipe at heart—the kind of meal that’s passed down through generations and made with love. Expect the kind of satisfaction that comes only from slow-simmered comfort food.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

This recipe is everything you want in a comfort meal: rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The dumplings are tender but not mushy, the chicken is juicy and perfectly seasoned, and the broth is thick enough to coat a spoon. It’s the perfect blend of texture and taste.

You can also customize it depending on what you have on hand. Leftover roast chicken or rotisserie works wonderfully. The dish is filling on its own but pairs beautifully with a simple salad or crusty bread.

What Kind of Dumplings Should I Use?

There are different types of dumplings used in chicken & dumplings, and each has its fans. For this recipe, we’re using drop dumplings, which are soft, fluffy spoonfuls of dough that cook right in the broth. They soak up the flavor of the soup while keeping their structure.

Some prefer rolled or biscuit-style dumplings, which are flatter and denser. But the drop-style dumplings really shine here, offering lightness that balances the richness of the dish. You can also add herbs or a touch of cheese to the dough for a little twist.

Ingredients for the Homemade Chicken & Dumplings

This dish starts with humble ingredients but delivers deep, comforting flavor. The star here is the combination of fresh aromatics and slow-cooked chicken, all held together with rich broth and tender dumplings.

Chicken thighs – Juicy and flavorful, these bring richness to the dish and hold up better than breasts during long simmering.
Onion – Adds aromatic sweetness and depth to the broth.
Carrots – Bring a natural sweetness and a touch of color to the dish.
Celery – Provides balance and a classic base flavor to the soup.
Garlic – Just a hint goes a long way in boosting the savory depth.
Chicken broth – Acts as the flavorful base; use a good-quality broth or homemade if you have it.
All-purpose flour – Helps thicken the broth and is the base for the dumplings.
Baking powder – Essential for fluffy dumplings.
Milk – Adds creaminess to the dumplings and soup.
Butter – For richness and depth.
Salt & pepper – Seasoning throughout is key.
Fresh parsley – A bright finish to an otherwise hearty meal.

How To Make the Homemade Chicken & Dumplings

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. In a large pot, melt some butter over medium heat and sear the chicken on both sides until golden. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

Add diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook another minute.

Step 3: Build the Broth

Return the chicken to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

Step 4: Make the Dumpling Dough

While the soup simmers, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and parsley in a bowl. Stir in milk and melted butter until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5: Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks. Return the meat to the broth.

Step 6: Drop the Dumplings

Using a spoon, gently drop heaping spoonfuls of dough into the simmering soup. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Uncover, stir gently, and check that the dumplings are cooked through. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

How to Serve and Store Homemade Chicken & Dumplings

This dish is hearty and satisfying enough to stand alone, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays. It serves about 6 people generously. For serving, ladle into wide bowls and garnish with extra herbs or even a splash of cream if you’re feeling indulgent.

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a bit of broth or water to loosen it if needed. The dumplings may thicken the soup over time, which only adds to its richness.

To freeze, it’s best to separate the dumplings and store them separately from the soup. This keeps them from becoming too soggy when thawed.

What to Serve With Homemade Chicken & Dumplings?

Simple Green Salad

A crisp green salad with a lemony vinaigrette balances the richness of the dish.

Buttermilk Biscuits

Because more carbs is always a good idea when it comes to comfort food.

Roasted Green Beans

Oven-roasted green beans with garlic are a crunchy, savory side that adds freshness.

Southern Cornbread

Slightly sweet, a bit crumbly, and perfect for soaking up the last of that creamy broth.

Pickled Vegetables

Something tangy like pickled onions or cucumbers brings a lovely acidic contrast.

Cranberry Relish

Yes, even outside the holidays! The tartness works wonders alongside the hearty stew.

Sauteed Spinach with Garlic

A warm veggie side that cooks in minutes and adds a touch of green.

Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If you’re into cozy meals like this one, don’t miss out on these weeknight champions:

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest comfort food board so you can come back to it any time.

Let me know how yours turned out! Did you use fresh herbs or go for dried? Did your dumplings puff up perfectly or did you put a twist on the dough?

I love hearing your takes on these classics. And if you have questions, drop them in the comments so we can all cook better together.

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