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Fluffy Classic Chicken and Dumplings from Scratch Easy Homemade Recipe

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A comforting and homemade chicken and dumplings recipe featuring fluffy dumplings and a creamy chicken broth, perfect for cozy dinners and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works well)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup whole milk (or unsweetened almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

Instructions

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Pour in chicken broth, then add sliced carrots, celery, and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, around 10 minutes. Stir in shredded chicken, then season with salt and pepper. Keep simmering gently while you prepare the dumplings.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate small bowl, combine milk and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined — do not overmix. The batter should be thick but spoonable.
  4. Using a spoon or small ice cream scoop, drop dumpling batter by spoonfuls onto the simmering broth. Do not stir after adding. Cover the pot tightly and let the dumplings steam for 12-15 minutes until puffed up and firm to the touch. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
  5. After dumplings are cooked, gently stir the stew to distribute flavors. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. If the broth is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken slightly.
  6. Ladle the chicken and dumplings into warm bowls and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh baking powder for fluffy dumplings. Do not overmix dumpling batter to avoid toughness. Keep the pot covered while dumplings cook to trap steam and ensure they puff up properly. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. For gluten-free, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine and use almond or coconut milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken and dumplings, homemade chicken and dumplings, classic chicken and dumplings, fluffy dumplings, comfort food, easy chicken recipe, from scratch chicken and dumplings

Find it online: https://evabake.com/fluffy-classic-chicken-and-dumplings-from-scratch-easy-homemade-recipe/