Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
Old-fashioned chicken and dumplings is pure comfort food — tender chicken simmered in a rich, savory broth with soft, fluffy dumplings that soak up every bit of flavor. This classic recipe is simple, hearty, and made the way generations have loved it.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
1 whole chicken (about 3 to 4 pounds), cut into pieces
8 cups water or chicken broth
1 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons butter
For the Dumplings:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions:
Place the chicken, water or broth, onion, carrots, celery, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning into a large pot or Dutch oven.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 45 to 60 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and very tender.
Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Discard the skin and bones, then shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the pot.
Stir in the butter and bring the broth back to a gentle simmer.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk and melted butter just until combined. Do not overmix.
Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough gently into the simmering broth. The dumplings will expand as they cook.
Cover the pot tightly and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. This step is important for light, fluffy dumplings.
After 15 minutes, gently stir once and check that the dumplings are cooked through.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
Helpful Tips:
Keep the broth at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, to prevent dumplings from falling apart.
Do not peek while the dumplings are cooking — steam is what makes them fluffy.
For a thicker broth, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir it in before adding dumplings.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve hot with a side of green beans or buttered peas.
Perfect with a slice of cornbread or biscuits.
Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day.
Old-fashioned chicken and dumplings is warm, filling, and deeply comforting — the kind of meal that feels like home in every bite.