Homestyle Chicken and Herb Dumplings

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour
🍽 Serves: 6
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Homestyle Chicken and Herb Dumplings are the ultimate comfort food. This dish combines tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a savory broth. It's a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients for Homestyle Chicken and Herb Dumplings

Chicken thighs offer a richer flavor and stay tender and moist during cooking. Chicken broth serves as the base, creating a flavorful soup. The trio of carrots, celery, and onion is a classic combination that adds depth and sweetness. Garlic brings a hint of aromatic warmth. The dried thyme and rosemary infuse the broth with earthy, savory notes. A bit of salt and pepper enhances the overall flavor.

For the dumplings, all-purpose flour provides structure, while baking powder and baking soda ensure they rise well and become light and fluffy. Salt seasons the dough, and parsley adds a fresh, herbal note. Buttermilk makes the dumplings tender and slightly tangy, and unsalted butter enriches the dough, making it melt-in-your-mouth good.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra flavor, brown the chicken thighs in the pot before adding the vegetables.
  • Make sure not to lift the lid while the dumplings cook to keep the steam in.
  • If the broth is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth or water.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is perfect on its own, but you can serve it with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette complements the rich flavors nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but the meat may be a bit drier. You can consider adding a bit more broth to keep it moist.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the soup base ahead and reheat it. Prepare the dumplings just before serving for the best texture.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, freeze the soup without dumplings, as they can become soggy when thawed. Add fresh dumplings when reheating.

Homestyle Chicken and Herb Dumplings Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating a tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, and sauté them for about five minutes. You want them to soften and the onions to turn translucent. Toss in the garlic and stir for another minute until it releases its fragrance.

Next, pour in the chicken broth and nestle the chicken thighs into the pot. Sprinkle in the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through.

While the soup simmers, prepare your dumplings. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the chopped parsley, then pour in the buttermilk and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms; it will be sticky, and that’s just right.

Drop spoonfuls of the dough directly into the simmering pot. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15 minutes. They’ll puff up beautifully and should be cooked through. Finally, stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 5 minutes. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if needed before serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Uses simple, pantry-staple ingredients.
  • Rich in flavor, with herbs that elevate the dish.
  • A complete meal in one pot, minimizing cleanup.

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup frozen peas
1 diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup buttermilk
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat and sauté onions, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and add chicken thighs, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
5. For the dumplings, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
6. Stir in chopped parsley, then add buttermilk and melted butter to form a dough.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the simmering pot, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
8. Stir in the frozen peas, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
9. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.

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