Hearty Chicken and Light Dumplings Stew
This scrumptious chicken and dumplings stew is a family favorite that I often turn to for a comforting meal that won't derail my healthy eating goals. Originating from a classic Richard Simmons cookbook, this dish is not only simple to prepare but also bursting with flavor. Tender pieces of skinless chicken mingle with a medley of fresh vegetables, while light, fluffy dumplings cook to perfection in a rich, savory broth. Whether you're cooking for yourself or sharing with loved ones, this hearty stew is sure to satisfy cravings without the excess calories.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Skinless chicken breast halves (or thighs)
4 (boneless and skinless)
All-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups (divided)
Low sodium chicken stock
3 cups (or homemade chicken broth)
Coarsely chopped onion
1/2 cup (freshly chopped)
Sliced carrot
1 cup (peeled and sliced)
Sliced leek
1 cup (cleaned and sliced (or substitute with white onion))
Quartered mushrooms
1 1/2 cups (fresh or canned)
Baking powder
2 teaspoons (for the dumplings)
Fresh parsley
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
Poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon (for flavoring)
Nonfat milk
1/2 cup (to moisten the dumplings)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, bring 3 cups of water to a gentle simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs. Add the skinless chicken to poach for about 15 minutes, or until just cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool while you prepare the vegetables.
2
Meanwhile, coarsely chop the onion, slice the carrots, leeks, and quarter the mushrooms. Set aside.
3
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour with 1/2 cup of chicken stock. Whisk until smooth to avoid lumps.
4
In a large pot, heat 2 1/2 cups of chicken stock over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped vegetables and cover, letting them cook for a few minutes until slightly tender.
5
Shred the cooled chicken into chunky pieces, discarding any bones, and then add to the pot with the vegetables.
6
Stir in the flour and stock mixture to thicken the broth, continuing to cook on medium heat.
7
In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup of all-purpose flour, baking powder, parsley, poultry seasoning, and milk. Mix gently until just moistened; do not overmix.
8
Using a wet teaspoon, scoop small dollops of the dumpling mixture and gently drop them into the simmering stew. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and let simmer for an additional 15 minutes. The dumplings will puff up as they cook.
9
Right before serving, feel free to add a generous sprinkle of black pepper for an extra kick, though this is optional.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Chicken and Light Dumplings Stew?
It is a healthy, family-favorite comfort meal originally from a Richard Simmons cookbook featuring tender chicken and fluffy dumplings.
Is Hearty Chicken and Light Dumplings Stew healthy?
Yes, it is designed to be a healthy meal that won't derail weight loss goals while remaining satisfying.
Who created the original version of this stew recipe?
The recipe originates from a classic Richard Simmons cookbook.
What type of chicken is recommended?
You can use four skinless chicken breast halves or thighs, preferably boneless.
Can I use chicken thighs for this recipe?
Yes, skinless chicken thighs can be used as an alternative to breast halves.
What vegetables are included in this stew?
The stew contains chopped onions, sliced carrots, sliced leeks, and quartered mushrooms.
Can I substitute leeks in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the sliced leeks with white onion if needed.
How should the chicken be poached?
The chicken is poached in 3 cups of simmering water seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs for about 15 minutes.
How long do I poach the chicken?
The chicken should be poached for about 15 minutes or until just cooked through.
How much water is used for poaching?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of water for the poaching step.
What kind of chicken stock should I use?
Low sodium chicken stock or homemade chicken broth is recommended for this recipe.
How do I thicken the stew broth?
Whisk 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour with 1/2 cup of chicken stock until smooth, then stir it into the simmering stew.
What are the ingredients for the dumplings?
The dumplings consist of all-purpose flour, baking powder, parsley, poultry seasoning, and nonfat milk.
How do I make the dumplings light and fluffy?
Using baking powder and ensuring you do not overmix the dough helps keep the dumplings light and fluffy.
Why is it important not to overmix the dumpling dough?
Overmixing can lead to tough dumplings; you should mix only until the ingredients are just moistened.
How do I shape and add the dumplings to the pot?
Use a wet teaspoon to scoop small dollops of the mixture and gently drop them into the simmering stew.
How long do the dumplings need to cook?
The dumplings need to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes while the pot is tightly covered.
Should I cover the pot while the dumplings simmer?
Yes, the pot must be covered tightly for 15 minutes to allow the dumplings to puff up correctly.
Can I use canned mushrooms instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use either fresh or canned quartered mushrooms for this recipe.
What type of milk is used for the dumpling mixture?
Nonfat milk is used to moisten the dumpling dough.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Is this a low sodium recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as low sodium and recommends using low sodium chicken stock.
What seasoning is added to the dumplings?
Poultry seasoning and finely chopped fresh parsley are used to flavor the dumplings.
Can I add extra spice to the stew?
Yes, you can add a generous sprinkle of black pepper right before serving for an extra kick.
Is this recipe easy to prepare?
Yes, the recipe is described as simple to prepare and is tagged as an easy recipe.
What happens to the dumplings as they simmer?
The dumplings will puff up significantly as they cook in the savory broth.
Should I remove the chicken skin?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for skinless chicken to keep the fat content low.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be peeled and then sliced before being added to the stew.
How much total flour is needed?
A total of 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour is used, divided between the thickening mixture and the dumplings.
Is this a good comfort food option?
Yes, it is described as a hearty stew that serves as healthy comfort food.