Description
Southern Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food. Soft, fluffy dumplings swim in a savory, aromatic chicken broth packed with tender chicken pieces and fresh vegetables. It’s a dish that warms the soul and brings the family together around the table. Perfect for a chilly evening or a weekend treat, it’s a recipe that’s both simple to make and endlessly satisfying. Whether served with cornbread, collard greens, or roasted vegetables, this classic Southern dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (or a mix of thighs and breasts)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown in a large pot with a little oil over medium heat. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in the same pot for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Return chicken to the pot. Add broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer 40–45 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Shred chicken, remove bay leaf, and return chicken to the pot.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk to make a soft dough. Drop spoonfuls into simmering broth. Cover and cook 15–20 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Simmer gently to prevent breaking dumplings.
- Dumplings are best fresh—avoid making them too far in advance.
- Optional: add a splash of cream for a richer broth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg