Hearty Southern Chicken & Dumplings
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this homemade Southern Chicken & Dumplings, a dish that is rich in tradition and taste. While the preparation may take some time, the reward is a hearty and savory meal that feels like a warm hug. Tender pieces of chicken simmered in a flavorful broth, combined with fluffy dumplings that dissolve slightly to create a creamy gravy, makes this dish perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner. If you choose to use canned broth, be sure to reduce the salt in the dumplings to ensure a balanced flavor. Serve over a bed of mashed potatoes for an extra touch of comfort that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
4
Servings
300
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
3 quarts (Boiled)
Cut-up chicken
3-4 lbs (Ready to use)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (Divided)
Onion
1 small (Sliced)
Celery
2 stalks (Chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (Peeled and quartered)
Bay leaf
1 (Whole)
Fresh parsley leaves
4-6 (Whole)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (Ground)
Lemon juice
1 tablespoon (Freshly squeezed)
Flour
2 cups (All-purpose, for dumplings)
Baking powder
1 tablespoon (For dumplings)
Salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (For dumplings)
Milk
1 1/8 cups (Whole or preferred type)
Instructions
1
Begin by bringing 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
2
Once the water is boiling, add the cut-up chicken along with 1 teaspoon of salt, sliced onion, chopped celery, quartered garlic, bay leaf, and fresh parsley.
3
Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow the mixture to cook for about 2 hours. During this time, the liquid will reduce by approximately a third, intensifying the flavors.
4
After 2 hours, carefully remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool.
5
Strain the stock through a fine sieve or cheesecloth, discarding the solids while retaining the liquid.
6
Return 6 cups of the strained stock back into the pot, saving any leftover stock for future use (it can be frozen for later).
7
Add ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and lemon juice to the stock, and reheat over medium heat.
8
In a medium bowl, prepare the dumpling batter by combining flour, baking powder, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and milk. Stir until the mixture is smooth, then let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
9
On a floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness, minimizing handling to ensure light, fluffy dumplings.
10
Cut the dough into 1/2-inch squares using a pizza cutter for efficiency. Carefully drop each square into the simmering stock, ensuring all the dough is used.
11
As the dumplings cook, they will swell before shrinking slightly, contributing to the thickening of the stock into a rich gravy. Allow them to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
12
While the dumplings cook, shred or cut the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding the skin and bones.
13
Once the gravy has thickened to your liking, gently fold the chicken back into the pot and allow it to heat for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Stir carefully to avoid breaking apart the chicken.
14
When ready, ladle generous portions of the hearty meal onto plates and serve hot. For an extra treat, serve with a side of creamy mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
30g
Carbs
20g
Protein
1.25g
Fiber
1.25g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Southern Chicken & Dumplings?
It is a traditional, comforting dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a flavorful broth with fluffy dumplings that create a rich, creamy gravy.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
How long does the chicken need to cook in the initial broth?
The chicken should simmer in the water with aromatics for about 2 hours until the liquid reduces by a third.
What aromatics are used to flavor the chicken stock?
The stock is flavored with sliced onion, chopped celery, quartered garlic, a bay leaf, and fresh parsley.
How do I prepare the chicken for the broth?
You should use 3-4 lbs of cut-up chicken and add it to 3 quarts of boiling water with salt and aromatics.
What ingredients are needed for the dumplings?
The dumplings require all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and milk.
How thick should I roll the dumpling dough?
Roll the dough out to approximately 1/2-inch thickness on a floured surface.
How long should the dumpling batter rest before rolling?
The batter should rest for 5 to 10 minutes to help achieve a smooth consistency.
Can I use canned chicken broth instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, you can use canned broth, but you should reduce the amount of salt in the dumplings to maintain a balanced flavor.
What is the most efficient way to cut the dumpling dough?
Using a pizza cutter is recommended to quickly and efficiently cut the dough into 1/2-inch squares.
How long do the dumplings need to simmer in the stock?
The dumplings should simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking.
How does the stock turn into gravy?
As the dumplings cook, they dissolve slightly and release starch, which thickens the stock into a rich gravy.
What do I do with the chicken once it has cooled?
Shred or cut the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces and discard the skin and bones.
When should I add the chicken back into the pot?
Gently fold the shredded chicken back into the pot once the gravy has thickened to your liking.
What is the recommended side dish for Southern Chicken & Dumplings?
For extra comfort, it is traditionally served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 12.5g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in this dish?
This recipe provides 20g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber and sugar does it contain?
Each serving contains 1.25g of fiber and 1.25g of sugar.
What should I do with excess chicken stock?
Any leftover strained stock can be saved and frozen for future use.
Why is lemon juice added to the recipe?
One tablespoon of lemon juice is added to the strained stock to brighten and enhance the overall flavor.
How much water is needed at the start?
You begin by bringing 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil.
What type of milk should be used for the dumplings?
The recipe calls for 1 1/8 cups of whole milk or your preferred type of milk.
How much flour is required for the dumplings?
You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
Is there a secret to making light and fluffy dumplings?
Minimize handling of the dough and ensure it is rolled to the correct thickness to keep them light.
How much garlic is used in the broth?
One clove of garlic, peeled and quartered, is used to season the broth.
What should I do after simmering the chicken for 2 hours?
Remove the chicken to cool and strain the stock through a fine sieve, discarding the solids.
How much stock is reused for the final cooking phase?
Return 6 cups of the strained stock back into the pot for cooking the dumplings.
Should I stir the pot frequently while the dumplings cook?
You should stir occasionally to prevent sticking, but be gentle once the chicken is added to avoid breaking the pieces.