Southern-style chicken and dumplings is a comforting, creamy dish that’s perfect for family meals. Featuring easy homemade rolled dumplings and tender shredded chicken in a rich broth, this dish is a classic of Southern comfort food. Ready in just about an hour, this recipe offers a warm, flavorful meal that everyone will love.
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Why You’ll Love This Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings
This Southern-style chicken and dumplings recipe is a perfect choice for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. It combines the heartiness of chicken, the creaminess of the broth, and the deliciously soft dumplings. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity—it’s easy to make but offers deep, comforting flavors. Plus, you can have it all done in just one hour, making it a convenient option for dinner.
The addition of garlic, onions, and optional vegetables like carrots and celery enhances the taste, giving you a richer flavor profile. If you’re a fan of Southern comfort food, this dish will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients For Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings
For the soup:
• Olive Oil: Adds a subtle richness to the broth.
• White Onion: Provides a savory base flavor.
• Garlic: Infuses the soup with aromatic depth.
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that cooks quickly and shreds easily.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the base for the soup, offering a savory, rich taste.
• Milk: Adds creaminess to the broth, giving it a smooth texture.
• Salt and Black Pepper: For seasoning the chicken and broth.
For the dumplings:
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the dumplings, giving them texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the dumplings rise and stay light.
• Shortening: Keeps the dumplings tender and soft.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang to the dough.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re looking for alternatives:
• Chicken Thighs: Use these for a richer, more flavorful broth.
• Carrots and Celery: Add these vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Whole Milk vs. 2% Milk: For a creamier texture, opt for whole milk.
• Butter Instead of Shortening: For a richer taste, butter can replace shortening in the dumplings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Broth: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts, salt, and pepper to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and can be easily shredded.
- Make the Dumpling Dough: While the chicken cooks, prepare the dumplings. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk until a dough forms.
- Form the Dumplings: Roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness and cut it into 1-inch wide strips. Then cut each strip into 2-inch lengths.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Set it aside.
- Add the Dumplings: Stir the milk into the soup and bring to a simmer. Drop the dumpling pieces into the simmering broth and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender and fully cooked.
- Thicken the Broth: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir this into the broth and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes, until the broth thickens.
- Finish the Soup: Add the shredded chicken back into the pot, stir to combine, and serve hot.
Tips & Tricks
- Consistency of Dumplings: Make sure your dumplings are not too thin. If they’re too thin, they may break apart in the soup. Aim for about ¼-inch thickness when rolling out the dough.
- Reheating: The dumplings absorb the broth over time. If reheating leftovers, you may need to add more broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Add More Veggies: For a boost of flavor and nutrition, consider adding diced carrots and celery to the soup while sautéing the onions.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
Pair this dish with a simple green salad or some freshly baked cornbread for a complete Southern meal. You could also serve it alongside a side of steamed vegetables, like green beans or broccoli, to balance the richness of the soup.
For variations, try adding a bit of heat with cayenne pepper or hot sauce, or swap the chicken for turkey for a fun twist. You could also experiment with making gluten-free dumplings by using a gluten-free flour blend.
Seasonal and Health Benefits
Southern-style chicken and dumplings is a perfect dish for cooler weather, offering warmth and comfort on a chilly day. The chicken provides lean protein, while the dumplings and broth offer a satisfying meal. If you’re looking to reduce fat, try using skinless chicken thighs and substituting lighter milk or broth options.
This recipe is also incredibly versatile for different dietary needs. You can make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-carb by adjusting ingredients accordingly.
Enjoy this hearty Southern-style chicken and dumplings recipe the next time you’re in the mood for a filling, comforting dish.
Conclusion
Southern-style chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, bringing together tender chicken, creamy broth, and soft, homemade dumplings. This dish is a true Southern classic that is easy to prepare, making it perfect for a cozy family dinner. Whether you’re looking for a quick meal after a busy day or a comforting dish to enjoy on a chilly evening, this recipe delivers on flavor, warmth, and satisfaction. With its simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s sure to become a favorite in your home.
FAQ About Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings
Can I make Southern-style chicken and dumplings ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the soup and dumplings ahead of time, but it’s best to store them separately. The dumplings will absorb the broth as they sit, so when reheating, you may need to add extra broth or water to maintain the desired consistency.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for chicken breasts for a leaner option, chicken thighs will give you a richer, more flavorful broth. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly, as chicken thighs may take a bit longer to cook.
What if I don’t have buttermilk for the dumplings?
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make a substitute by mixing ¾ cup of milk with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using it in the recipe.
More Relevant Recipes
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Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Southern-style chicken and dumplings is a comforting, hearty dish made with tender shredded chicken, soft homemade dumplings, and a creamy broth. It’s a perfect meal for a cozy family dinner, and it’s ready in just about an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole or 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup cold shortening
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add chicken breasts, salt, and pepper to the pot. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shredded.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually stir in buttermilk until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into 1-inch wide strips, then cut each strip into 2-inch lengths.
- Remove chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks. Set aside.
- Stir milk into the broth and bring it back to a simmer. Gently drop the dumplings into the soup. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are tender and fully cooked.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the soup and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken the broth.
- Add the shredded chicken back into the soup, stir to combine, and serve hot.
Notes
- If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute with 3/4 cup of milk mixed with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar.
- For a richer flavor, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
- Reheat leftovers on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding more broth or water as needed.
- To add more vegetables, try adding diced carrots and celery to the soup when sautéing the onions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 494
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1756mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 73mg
