Classic Chicken and Dumplings
Tender chicken, carrots, celery, and onion simmer in a savory broth beneath fluffy, biscuit-style dumplings for a comforting one-pot dinner.
Prep: 20 min · Cook: 45 min · Yield: 6 · Method: Stovetop
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 medium carrots
- 3 stalks celery stalks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Cooking instructions
- Cut the onion, carrots, and celery into small pieces. Pat the chicken dry and season it with 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. (about 10 min)
- Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in a single layer for 3 to 4 minutes per side; it does not need to be cooked through. Transfer it to a plate. (about 8 min) — Medium-high heat
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in 1/3 cup of the flour and stir for 1 minute. (about 6 min) — Medium heat
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender and reaches 165°F, about 20 minutes. (about 20 min) — Gentle simmer
- Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 2/3 cup flour, baking powder, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Stir in the milk just until a soft, thick dough forms; do not overmix. (about 5 min)
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and shred or cut it into bite-size pieces. Return it to the pot. Drop 12 heaping spoonfuls of dumpling dough over the simmering stew, leaving small spaces between them. (about 5 min) — Low simmer
- Cover and cook without lifting the lid for 15 minutes, until the dumplings are puffed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve hot. (about 15 min) — Low simmer