Homemade Chicken and Dumplings are truly the ultimate in comfort food.
Making the stock for the base of the soup is so easy. The vegetables are cooked perfectly. And the dumplings are a little piece of heaven.
And you can make the stock in advance and then it’s just a matter of minutes to steam the dumplings! Yes!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
Making chicken and dumplings from scratch is really easier than you might think. This is a soup that has been comforting hungry bellies for generations. And is truly one of our all-time favorite soups!
We start with a whole chicken, a few basic veggies, and let the fun begin.
EXPERT TIP: We remove the giblets from the cavity of the bird and toss in with the water and veggies, resulting in a more delicious broth.
Watch us show you how easy it is to make Homemade Chicken and Dumplings at home!
HOW TO EASILY MAKE THE CHICKEN STOCK
A good hearty stock is the basis of most homemade soups. We love our homemade chicken stock, roasted chicken stock, and beef stock recipes.
But the great thing about this recipe is all you need is a whole chicken, some roughly chopped veggies, and water.
Place it all in a large vessel (we love our 7 qt. Dutch oven) and then simmer for 2 hours.
EXPERT TIP: Just give the onions, carrots and celery a rough chop at this stage. These add depth to the broth/stock as it cooks and then we discard them once finished cooking. A new round of smaller chopped veggies will soon come into play.
THE COOKED CHICKEN IS READY FOR THE SOUP
Once the cooked chicken is cool enough to handle, remove from the broth and peel away the skin.
The chicken will be so tender you can shred the meat with your hands.
If you like, give the chicken a dice with a sharp knife, but we love leaving the pieces nice and chunky for a good, hearty soup.
Be sure to strain the broth into a large bowl or stock pan with a sieve or colander.
The broth is so flavorful. Some of our other chicken-broth soups are:
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- White Chile with Roasted Tomatillos and Chicken
- Matzo Ball Soup
- Chicken Pho (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)
Now, for our Better than “Grandma’s Chicken and Dumplings”, we need to sauté sliced carrots, chopped celery and onion. Do this right back in the pot you cooked the chicken in!
EXPERT TIP: After the the vegetables have softened after about 5 or 6 minutes, you’ll add 1/4-cup of all-purpose flour and cook for another 5 minutes. This creates a roux which will slightly thicken the broth, after it’s added, and create a silky, luxurious soup.
BUILDING THE FLAVOR PROFILE
Add the reserved broth and the cooked chicken into the pot with the cooked veggies, stirring frequently.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
The liquid will thicken slightly as it simmers.
HOW TO MAKE THE DUMPLINGS
While the stock is simmering, it’s time to make the dumplings! Our favorite part of Homemade Chicken and Dumplings!
Start with a nice wide bowl and mix together the flour, baking powder, fresh parsley and salt.
Next, you need to cut the chilled butter into the flour mixture. You can do this with a pastry cutter (pictured below), or two forks, or even your fingers. TIP: If using your hands, try to handle as little as possible, because it’s important to keep the butter cool. This will help in making fluffy dumplings.
Next, add a whole egg.
Gently stir together until a batter just comes together.
HOW TO COOK HOMEMADE CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
Now, you are ready to simply drop the dumplings into the simmering soup.
EXPERT TIP: Resist making the dumplings too large before you drop them in. As they simmer and cook, they will almost double in size. You may not use all of the batter. The size of the dough balls should not exceed the size of a golf ball.
After all the dough balls have been dropped in, they should have risen to the surface.
Cover the pot, and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
Get ready to swoon when you lift that pot of heavenly soup!
HOMEMADE CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL
There is truly something so heart-warming about this soup. Other soups that warm our hearts and souls are:
- Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup
- French Onion Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Asian Fusion Soup
- Italian Wedding Soup
But if you’re looking for the best chicken and dumplings recipe in town, you’ve come to the right place.
Ready to make one of the most comforting soups of all time, in the comfort of your own kitchen? Go for it!
And when you make this incredible soup, be sure to take a photo of it, post it to Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and #howtofeedaloon!
Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
Equipment
- Large pot, such as a Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken about 3 1/2 to 4 lbs
- 4 carrots 2 roughly chopped, 2 thinly sliced
- 2 yellow onions 1 quartered, and 1 chopped
- 4 ribs celery 2 roughly chopped, 2 chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
FOR THE DUMPLINGS
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted, cut into small pieces and chilled
- 1/2 cup milk whole
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a large Dutch oven, or heavy duty pot.
- Pour enough cold water to cover by 1 inch.
- Add the roughly cut carrots, onions, celery, and the bay leaf.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium, partially cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender, and almost falling of the bone....about 2 hours.
- Turn off the heat and set aside to cool.
- When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin, and then the meat - shred the meat into large bite-size pieces.
- Strain the broth into a large saucepan, or stock pan, and wipe the Dutch oven (or large pot) clean.
- Bring the broth to a simmer.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium heat in the Dutch oven, or pot.
- Add the remaining carrots, onion and celery. Cook until tender, about 6 minutes.
- Add the flour and whisk until smooth.
- Constantly stir the roux for about another 5 minutes.
- Add the heated chicken broth. Stir until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt, if desired.
MAKE THE DUMPLINGS
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, parsley and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Add the cubed butter, and, using a pastry cutter, or the ends of two forks, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture has the texture of mall peas.
- Add the milk and egg and then use a fork to incorprate until a batter just comes together.
- Drop heaping spoonfuls (roughly the size of a golf ball) of the dough into the simmering sauce and chicken.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the dumplings are fluffy...about 15 minutes.
- Serve in bowls and enjoy the comfort of this dish.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE NOTE: This recipe was originally published March, 2014, but has been updated with improvements to the recipe, new photography, and a brand new video in September, 2019!
Who needs scented candles?
I swear I could smell this soup from my computer!!!
As soon as the weather cools down a little bit, I CAN’T WAIT to fill my house with the smell of this cozy soup!
Because I’m such a “fancy girl,” I think I’ll put a little sprinkle of parsley flakes on top of the bowls!
I’M OUT OF CONTROL!!!
Barb!!! You just made our day, heck, or week, even month! You are going to LOVE this soup! It is one of most favorite to make and we have family that request it often! Little sprinkle of parsley would be wonderful! Let us know when you make it and how it turns out!!!! xoxo
Tried to replicate my mother-in-law’s recipe. This was perfect which very clear instructions.
That is so wonderful! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the GREAT review! Stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesely
mall peas
Pure Heaven for the taste buds. Recipe followed to the letter, however the dumblings fell apart at serving into bowls, then melted into broth. Not sure what went wrong.
Another fabulous recipe. Made as written. Super easy. But I used my big Dutch oven and doubled the dumplings! Oh my. Heavenly dumplings. I also like that the “lil dumplin” got to make the dumplings in your video. Way to go Loon! My husband rated this a 10. He said that it doesn’t get any better then this. He likes the old fashioned dumplings better than the rolled out flat dumplings. I have to say I think I like them better now too. I’ve never made them. This recipe was spot on. Thanks again for making me look like a way better cook than I really am. Don’t tell anyone my secret! BTW I’m following you guys now on FB and IG finally. Now if I’d learn how to upload my pics. Some day. I’m great at my profession but not on social media.
Hi Diane! We are so sorry for the delayed response!! Woo hoo!! We LOVE that you and your husband enjoyed our chicken and dumplings recipe! That is one of our all-time favorites so it thrills us that you both enjoyed it, too. You are an AWESOME cook, Diane!!! Keep on cookin’!!!! xoxoxo Kris & Wesley
This is sooooo good like OMGoooodness. I made this for my kids, at first glance it seemed intimidating however watching your video helped out big time. It really wasn’t that hard after all and the homemade dumplings add such an incredible element to the soup. Thank you so much for making this video and sharing this wonderful recipe!! My kids just absolutely loved it they are both very picky eaters.
Hi Sarah!! This is so AWESOME to hear!!! We are so glad you had such success and big win that the kiddos loved it, too!! Sounds like you prepared it perfectly! This is one of our favorite soups, for sure! Thanks so much for letting us know and the GREAT review. We appreciate that so very much! Stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Pure goodness! I made this two weeks ago and I apologize for the late feedback.
Your email is in my must-read-immediately list. I went to the store as soon as I read the recipe because chicken and dumplings is my husband’s favorite. He loved, loved, loved it! I followed the recipe exactly except I used dried parsley instead of fresh because I already had it. The broth is the best. Simple ingredients but delicious. That’s the best thing I love about your recipes— easy to find ingredients. One does not have to go searching the internet to get them. Yet, they are wonderfully delicious.
Thank you, Kris and Loon, for sharing your recipes with us.
Hanna, you have no idea how reading your comment makes us feel. Its why we do what we do!! So so so very happy you had success with the chicken and dumplings. We love them so much, too, and we agree, in most cases, you don’t need a ton of wild and exotic ingredients to make a wonderful meal. Just make sure TLC is in the recipes list, and you should be good. Thank YOU so much for your kind words and wonderful comment, and please stay in touch!!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
You make dumplings just like my mother did. This alone will make me try this recipe. Also, I see that the one of you cutting in the butter is left-handed, just like Mama. Thanks!!
That is so wonderful to hear, Marie! We think this is one recipe that deserves the classic preparation. Brings back so many wonderful memories for so many people. And it’s so delicious! Thanks again!! Best, Kris & Wesley