Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe for Weeknight Dinners
A hearty, soul-warming chicken and dumplings recipe with tender shredded chicken, fluffy dumplings, and rich, creamy broth. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or lazy Sundays.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-pot, Braising, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 large onion, diced
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken stock or broth
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend, plus 1/2 tsp xanthan gum if GF)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk (or dairy-free alternative)
2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
1 cup frozen peas or corn (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Splash of cream for finishing (optional)
Instructions
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven and brown chicken in batches, 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium, add butter, then stir in flour to form a roux. Cook 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Pour in chicken stock, scraping up browned bits. Return chicken to the pot with thyme, bay leaf, and more salt and pepper. Simmer covered for 20–25 minutes.
While simmering, make dumplings: mix flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix milk and melted butter. Combine until a soft batter forms—do not overmix.
Remove cooked chicken, shred, and discard bones. Return chicken to pot; remove bay leaf.
Drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter into simmering pot. Cover and cook 12–15 minutes until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.
Finish with peas or corn, if using. Add a splash of cream and garnish with parsley if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
Use bone-in thighs for deeper flavor and tender meat.
Dumplings may appear soft at first; give them a few extra minutes covered to finish cooking.
Great for meal prep—flavors deepen overnight.
For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk and olive oil.
