Herbed Chicken and Fluffy Dumplings

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour
🍽 Serves: 6
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Herbed Chicken and Fluffy Dumplings is a comforting dish perfect for any season. This recipe combines tender chicken with flavorful herbs and light, airy dumplings, creating a delightful meal that warms the heart. It’s a classic that brings the family together around the dinner table.

Ingredients for Herbed Chicken and Fluffy Dumplings

The star of the dish is the whole chicken, cut into pieces to ensure every bite is tender and flavorful. A touch of olive oil is used to brown the chicken, giving it a rich, savory start. The aromatic trio of onion, garlic, carrots, and celery brings depth and nutrition, while chicken broth provides body and richness. Dried thyme and dried rosemary impart a fragrant earthiness that complements the chicken perfectly.

For the dumplings, all-purpose flour creates a fluffy texture, with baking powder giving them lift. A pinch of salt balances the flavors, and unsalted butter, melted, adds richness. Finally, whole milk brings the dough together, creating the perfect dumpling consistency.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra flavor, brown the chicken skin-side down first to render out the fat.
  • Make sure the broth is simmering, not boiling, when you add the dumplings to prevent them from falling apart.
  • If you prefer thicker broth, mash some of the cooked vegetables into the broth before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. A loaf of crusty bread is perfect for sopping up the flavorful broth. For a special touch, a glass of chilled white wine complements the herbs and chicken wonderfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead?
Yes, but using a whole chicken adds more flavor. If you go for boneless breasts, consider adding some chicken bones to the broth for extra depth.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.

Herbed Chicken and Fluffy Dumplings Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, browning them for about 5 minutes on each side to lock in the juices and create a flavorful base. Once browned, remove the chicken and set it aside.

In the same pot, toss in the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Sauté these vegetables until they're softened and the kitchen smells inviting and cozy. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

Return the chicken to the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Sprinkle in the dried thyme and rosemary, and bring everything to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 40 minutes. This will make the chicken fall-off-the-bone tender.

While the chicken simmers, prepare the dumpling dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and whole milk until a soft dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.

Once the chicken is tender, drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering broth. Cover the pot again and let the dumplings cook for about 15 minutes. They'll puff up and become fluffy, absorbing the savory broth flavors.

Finally, remove the chicken from the pot, shred the meat, and return it to the pot with the dumplings. Stir everything gently to combine, making sure not to break the dumplings. Serve it hot, and enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Brings together the heartiness of chicken with the lightness of dumplings for a balanced meal.
  • The herbs add a fragrant touch that elevates the entire dish.
  • Can be made in one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
  • Perfect for a cozy family dinner or when you want to impress guests with a homemade classic.

Ingredients

4 lbs whole chicken, cut into pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced
3 celery stalks, chopped
8 cups chicken broth
2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup whole milk

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the chicken pieces for about 5 minutes on each side.
2. Remove chicken and set aside. In the same pot, add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, sautéing until the vegetables are softened.
3. Return the chicken to the pot, add chicken broth, thyme, and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 40 minutes until the chicken is tender.
4. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in melted butter and milk until a dough forms.
5. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering broth. Cover and cook for an additional 15 minutes until dumplings are cooked through.
6. Remove chicken from the pot, shred the meat, and return it to the pot with the dumplings. Stir gently and serve hot.

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