Ultimate Comfort Food for Winter Evenings
A warm and hearty classic chicken and dumplings recipe that combines tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy homemade dumplings, perfect as a comforting meal on cold winter evenings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Stew:
- 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Stew: In a large pot, combine chicken thighs, chopped onion, carrots, celery, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered until the chicken is tender and fully cooked, about 30-35 minutes.
- 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 and skin. Return the shredded chicken back to the pot.
- Make the Dumpling Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk and melted butter until just combined, forming a soft dough. Be careful not to overmix to keep dumplings light and fluffy.
- Cook the Dumplings: With the stew simmering, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the broth. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and cook for 12-15 minutes without lifting the lid, allowing dumplings to steam and puff up fully.
- Season and Serve: After dumplings are cooked through, season the stew with additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently and serve hot for a cozy winter meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth.
- Ensure the pot is tightly covered when cooking dumplings to trap steam and help them rise properly.
- You can add herbs like thyme or parsley for extra flavor in the stew.
- Use skinless chicken thighs for tender and juicy meat without added fat.