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Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings is more than just a dish; it’s a warm hug in a bowl, a nostalgic reminder of cozy family dinners and the simple joys of home-cooked comfort food. This classic Southern recipe is cherished for its wholesome ingredients and rich flavors that meld together to create a hearty, satisfying meal. With tender, shredded chicken, a medley of seasoned vegetables, a creamy, flavorful broth, and soft, fluffy biscuit-style dumplings, it’s a dish that offers a little bit of everything—texture, taste, and heartwarming goodness. Whether served as a Sunday supper or a weeknight meal, it’s a timeless favorite that brings everyone to the table.

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Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

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🥣🍗 Nothing says comfort like Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings! ❤️ Fluffy dumplings and tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy broth for the ultimate cozy meal. 😋✨ It’s a taste of tradition in every bite—perfect for family dinners or lazy weekends! 🌟

#SouthernChickenAndDumplings 🍗 #ComfortFoodClassic ❤️ #CreamyAndDelicious 🥣 #HomemadeLove 🌟 #SoulWarmingEats ✨ #HeartyMeals 💛 #FamilyFaves 🏡 #EasyAndTasty 🍴 #DinnerPerfection 🍽️ #FoodieFavorites 😍

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Soup

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 rotisserie chicken (about 3 pounds), bones and skin removed, shredded (approximately 4 cups of chicken)

Dumplings

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and sliced into squares
  • to 1 cup buttermilk, cold
  • Fresh chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Begin by preparing the base of the soup. In a 7-quart Dutch oven or large stockpot, melt two tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, and carrots, cooking for three to four minutes until the onion becomes translucent. These aromatic vegetables create the foundational flavors for the soup. Season them with garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and cracked black pepper to enhance their taste.

Next, melt the remaining four tablespoons of butter in the same pot. This step is essential as it combines with the vegetables and flour to create a roux, which will thicken the soup. Sprinkle in the flour and cook it for two to three minutes while stirring constantly. The goal is to achieve a light golden brown color, which indicates the flour is fully cooked and ready to act as a thickener.

Gradually add the chicken stock and heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. This step transforms the roux into a creamy, velvety broth that serves as the heart of the dish. Once the liquids are well incorporated, stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the soup to simmer gently while you prepare the dumplings.

For the dumplings, combine the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl—flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix them thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. Add the cold, sliced butter to the dry mixture and use your fingers to rub it in until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is key to achieving tender, flaky dumplings.

Slowly pour in ⅔ cup of cold buttermilk and mix the dough with a wooden spoon until it starts to come together. If the dough seems dry, add more buttermilk, a tablespoon at a time, until all the flour is moistened. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

Shape the dough into a ball and use a cookie scoop (1 ½ to 2 tablespoons in size) to portion out the dumplings. Drop each ball of dough onto the simmering soup, spacing them evenly apart. Cover the pot with a lid and let the dumplings cook for 10 minutes.

After the initial cooking time, check one dumpling by cutting it in half to ensure it’s cooked through. If the center is still doughy, cover the pot again and cook for another two minutes. Once the dumplings are fully cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let the soup cool slightly before serving.

Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. This final touch adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the dish.

Notes

#SouthernFood #Homemade #ChickenAndDumplings #ComfortFood #SouthernCooking #FamilyRecipe #SouthernStyle #SouthernHospitality #DinnerIdeas #SouthernComfort #SouthernClassics #SouthernTradition #SouthernFlavors #SouthernCuisine #SouthernFavorites #SouthernDishes #SouthernDelights #SouthernEats #SouthernSoulFood #SouthernKitchen #SouthernRecipes #SouthernCookingClass #SouthernCookingTips #SouthernCooking101 #SouthernCookingMadeEasy #SouthernCookingAtHome #SouthernCookingLove #SouthernCookingGoals #SouthernCookingInspiration

  • Author: Rosa
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes

The appeal of chicken and dumplings lies not only in its taste but also in its ability to evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity. This dish is the epitome of Southern hospitality, a recipe often passed down through generations, carrying with it the memories of those who prepared it before. It’s a one-pot wonder that combines simple pantry staples and transforms them into something truly magical.

From the velvety texture of the broth to the aromatic blend of spices and herbs, each component of this dish contributes to its universal appeal. The dumplings, with their light, airy texture, are the crowning glory, providing the perfect complement to the creamy chicken soup beneath. Let’s dive into what makes this dish so special, exploring each ingredient, the preparation process, and tips for making it your own.

Ingredients

To create Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings, you’ll need a mix of fresh vegetables, creamy broth components, and pantry staples for the dumplings. Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need:

Chicken Soup

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 rotisserie chicken (about 3 pounds), bones and skin removed, shredded (approximately 4 cups of chicken)

Dumplings

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and sliced into squares
  • ⅔ to 1 cup buttermilk, cold
  • Fresh chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

These ingredients are straightforward and easy to find, making this recipe accessible to all home cooks. The rotisserie chicken provides both flavor and convenience, while the mix of vegetables adds depth and color to the dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating this dish is as enjoyable as eating it. The process is straightforward and allows you to appreciate the transformation of simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful meal.

Begin by preparing the base of the soup. In a 7-quart Dutch oven or large stockpot, melt two tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, and carrots, cooking for three to four minutes until the onion becomes translucent. These aromatic vegetables create the foundational flavors for the soup. Season them with garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and cracked black pepper to enhance their taste.

Next, melt the remaining four tablespoons of butter in the same pot. This step is essential as it combines with the vegetables and flour to create a roux, which will thicken the soup. Sprinkle in the flour and cook it for two to three minutes while stirring constantly. The goal is to achieve a light golden brown color, which indicates the flour is fully cooked and ready to act as a thickener.

Gradually add the chicken stock and heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. This step transforms the roux into a creamy, velvety broth that serves as the heart of the dish. Once the liquids are well incorporated, stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the soup to simmer gently while you prepare the dumplings.

For the dumplings, combine the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl—flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix them thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. Add the cold, sliced butter to the dry mixture and use your fingers to rub it in until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is key to achieving tender, flaky dumplings.

Slowly pour in ⅔ cup of cold buttermilk and mix the dough with a wooden spoon until it starts to come together. If the dough seems dry, add more buttermilk, a tablespoon at a time, until all the flour is moistened. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

Shape the dough into a ball and use a cookie scoop (1 ½ to 2 tablespoons in size) to portion out the dumplings. Drop each ball of dough onto the simmering soup, spacing them evenly apart. Cover the pot with a lid and let the dumplings cook for 10 minutes.

After the initial cooking time, check one dumpling by cutting it in half to ensure it’s cooked through. If the center is still doughy, cover the pot again and cook for another two minutes. Once the dumplings are fully cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let the soup cool slightly before serving.

Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. This final touch adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the dish.

The Flavors, Textures, and Aromas

Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings is a feast for the senses. The broth is rich and creamy, with a subtle sweetness from the carrots and a savory depth from the chicken and seasonings. The vegetables add a tender crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, pillowy dumplings.

The dumplings themselves are light yet hearty, with a delicate crumb that soaks up the creamy broth. Each bite is a perfect balance of flavors—herbaceous thyme, the umami of chicken, and the buttery richness of the soup base. The aroma is equally inviting, with wafts of thyme and garlic mingling with the scent of freshly cooked chicken.

Tips and Variations

To make this dish your own, consider these helpful tips and variations:

  • Substitute Chicken: If rotisserie chicken isn’t available, use cooked chicken breast or thighs. You can also boil raw chicken in the broth for added flavor.
  • Vegetable Variations: Add peas, corn, or green beans for extra color and texture.
  • Herbs: Swap dried thyme for fresh thyme or experiment with rosemary for a different flavor profile.
  • Dumpling Variations: For a twist, add shredded cheese or chopped herbs to the dumpling dough.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour for both the soup and dumplings to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Serving Suggestions

Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with:

  • A crisp green salad for a refreshing contrast.
  • Buttery cornbread or warm dinner rolls for extra indulgence.
  • A glass of sweet tea or lemonade to round out the Southern experience.

This dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any gathering where comfort food is a must. It’s best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop to preserve the texture of the dumplings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings is a timeless classic that combines simplicity with deliciousness. It’s a dish that brings people together, offering warmth and comfort in every spoonful. Whether you’re new to Southern cooking or a seasoned home cook, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire. Give it a try and discover why this dish has stood the test of time as a beloved comfort food.

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