Hearty Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Full of Comfort

Southern-style chicken and dumplings represent comfort food at its finest, embodying generations of culinary tradition and warmth.

Hearty recipes like these connect us to cherished family memories and time-honored cooking techniques.

Soft, pillowy dumplings nestled among tender chicken create a rich, satisfying meal that warms both body and soul.

Regional cooking traditions reinvent simple ingredients into something magical and deeply meaningful.

Grandmothers across the southern United States have perfected this classic dish through decades of loving preparation.

Creamy broth and delicate dough capture the essence of home-cooked meals that nourish more than just hunger.

Prepare to experience a timeless recipe that brings people together around the dinner table.

What You’ll Adore About Southern Chicken and Dumplings

• Comfort Food Champion: This Southern-style chicken and dumplings recipe wraps you in a warm culinary hug with its rich, creamy broth and tender chicken that speaks directly to your soul.
• Quick and Simple Magic: Whip up this hearty meal in under 45 minutes using basic pantry ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or sudden comfort food cravings.
• Texture Paradise: Experience a delightful contrast between silky smooth broth, soft pillowy dumplings, and chunks of tender shredded chicken that dance wonderfully on your palate.
• Nostalgic Southern Charm: Capture the essence of traditional home cooking with this classic recipe that feels like a loving embrace from grandma's kitchen, bringing memories and warmth to your dining table.

Southern Chicken and Dumplings Must-Have Ingredients

• Chicken: Tender, juicy meat that provides the main protein for the dish. Rotisserie or leftover chicken works great.
• Chicken Broth: Rich, flavorful base for the stew that adds depth and moisture to the dish.

• Flour: Creates the structure and texture of the dumplings. All-purpose flour is the best choice.
• Baking Powder: Helps dumplings rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dumplings.
• Milk: Binds the dumpling dough and adds a creamy texture.

• Butter: Adds richness and smooth flavor to the broth.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and enhances the overall seasoning.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb that adds color and a light, herbal note to the dish.

Preparing Chicken and Dumplings the Southern Way

Step 1: Prepare Broth Base

In a large pot, combine chicken broth and butter. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, creating a flavorful liquid foundation for the classic Southern dish.

Step 2: Create Dumpling Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly pour in milk, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms. The consistency should be slightly sticky but manageable.

Step 3: Shape Dumpling Pieces

Dust a clean surface with flour. Gently roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a knife or pizza cutter to slice into rustic strips or small squares.

Step 4: Cook Dumplings in Broth

Carefully drop dumpling pieces into the boiling broth. Stir gently for the first 2 minutes to prevent sticking. Reduce heat to medium-low, allowing dumplings to simmer and expand.

Step 5: Add Shredded Chicken

Incorporate tender, shredded chicken into the pot. Let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and dumplings to become perfectly tender.

Step 6: Final Seasoning and Serve

Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and additional flavor. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting Southern classic.

Tips for Tender Chicken and Fluffy Dumplings

• Master Dough Consistency: Aim for a soft, slightly sticky dough that's not too dry or crumbly for tender, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings.
• Prevent Dumpling Clumping: Gently separate dumplings as you drop them into the broth to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
• Shred Chicken Perfectly: Use two forks to pull apart warm chicken, creating long, juicy strands that blend seamlessly with the broth.
• Control Broth Thickness: Simmer uncovered to naturally thicken the broth, creating a rich, creamy texture without adding extra flour.
• Temperature Management: Keep the heat low after adding dumplings to maintain a gentle simmer, which keeps the dumplings soft and prevents them from becoming tough.

Save and Reheat Southern Chicken and Dumplings Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Want longer storage? Carefully transfer to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Frozen dumplings maintain quality for up to 2 months when sealed tightly.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain the dumplings' delicate texture and prevent rubbery consistency.

What Goes Well with Chicken and Dumplings

• Pair with Crisp Southern Sweet Tea: Balance the rich, creamy chicken and dumplings with a tall glass of cold sweet tea, cutting through the heaviness and refreshing your palate with its sugary, tangy notes.
• Serve Alongside Tangy Coleslaw: Introduce a crunchy, vinegar-based coleslaw that provides a bright, acidic contrast to the comforting, soft texture of the chicken and dumplings.
• Complement with Buttermilk Biscuits: Add warm, flaky buttermilk biscuits on the side to soak up the delicious broth and provide an extra layer of Southern comfort food experience.
• Match with Light White Wine: Choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cleanse the palate and add a subtle, elegant touch to this hearty Southern classic.

Twist on Traditional Southern Chicken and Dumplings

• Hearty Herb Fusion: Enhance the classic recipe by adding fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage to the dumpling dough for an aromatic herbal flavor profile.
• Creamy Cajun Kick: Incorporate Cajun seasoning and a splash of heavy cream to transform the traditional southern dish into a spicier, richer version.
• Country Vegetable Boost: Mix in diced carrots, celery, and peas during the simmering process to create a more nutritious and colorful one-pot meal.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and use almond milk for a celiac-friendly adaptation of the classic chicken and dumplings.

Southern-Style Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Southern-style chicken and dumplings bring comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen. Creamy broth, tender chicken, and pillowy dumplings create a soul-warming meal that wraps you in nostalgic Southern hospitality.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3 cups (680 grams) cooked, shredded chicken

Liquid Base:

• 2 quarts (1.89 liters) chicken broth

Dumpling Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 stick (113 grams) butter

Seasonings and Herbs:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious pot with chicken broth and butter, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil over high heat, creating a savory foundation for the southern comfort dish.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour (240 grams), baking powder, and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture for the dumplings.
3. Slowly incorporate whole milk (120 milliliters or ) into the dry ingredients, gently mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms that holds together without crumbling.
4. Dust a clean work surface with additional flour, then carefully roll out the dumpling dough to approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thickness using a rolling pin.
5. Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, slice the rolled dough into uniform rectangular strips or square shapes, approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) wide.
6. Carefully lower the prepared dumpling pieces into the bubbling broth, using a wooden spoon to gently separate and prevent clumping during the initial 2 minutes of cooking.
7. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then fold in tender, pre-shredded chicken meat, allowing the ingredients to simmer and meld together for approximately 20 minutes.
8. Enhance the dish’s flavor by sprinkling freshly ground black pepper and garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley just before serving the warm, comforting southern-style chicken and dumplings.

Notes

• Authentic Southern comfort food that warms your soul with every spoonful.
• Perfectly tender chicken blends seamlessly with soft, pillowy dumplings in a rich, creamy broth.
• Quickly prevent dumpling sticking by gently stirring the first two minutes of cooking to ensure even texture.
• Use freshly shredded chicken for the most authentic and flavorful homemade experience.
• Rolling dough thin ensures delicate, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings that capture traditional Southern cooking techniques.
• Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish that elevates the entire dish’s visual appeal and flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg