Rustic Herb Chicken and Dumplings

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 55 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

If you're craving a cozy meal that wraps you up like a warm blanket, this Rustic Herb Chicken and Dumplings is exactly what you need. It's a hearty, comforting dish with the aromatic allure of fresh herbs and tender dumplings. Perfect for a family dinner, especially when the weather turns chilly.

Ingredients for Rustic Herb Chicken and Dumplings

The star of this dish is definitely the chicken thighs. They provide a rich flavor and stay juicy during cooking, which is why they're preferred over chicken breasts here. A splash of olive oil helps to sear the chicken, creating a delicious, golden crust. Carrots, celery, and onions form the aromatic base, while garlic adds a fragrant depth to the broth.

The chicken broth is the backbone of the dish, lending its savory warmth. For the dumplings, a mix of all-purpose flour, whole milk, and baking powder comes together to create a light and fluffy texture. A touch of salt and black pepper balances the flavors, while fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary add a burst of earthiness. Lastly, frozen peas bring a pop of color and a sweet note to the dish.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you prefer, you can use boneless chicken thighs to make shredding easier.
  • Don't peek while the dumplings are cooking! Keeping the lid on traps steam and ensures they puff up nicely.
  • For a thicker broth, you can mix a tablespoon of flour with a bit of broth and stir it back into the pot.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is quite filling on its own, but you can pair it with a light side salad for a bit of crunch. A crisp white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc, complements the herbal notes beautifully. For dessert, consider something light and fruity like a lemon sorbet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the broth and chicken ahead of time. Just add the dumplings fresh when you're ready to serve.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Absolutely, but use half the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the dumplings and ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free.

Rustic Herb Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Walkthrough

First, grab your largest pot and heat up the olive oil over medium heat. While the oil's warming, season your chicken thighs with a bit of salt and pepper. Place them in the pot, letting each side sear until you get a nice golden brown crust. This usually takes about 5 minutes per side. Once done, take the chicken out and set it aside for a bit.

In the same pot, toss in your carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. The veggies will soak up all those lovely browned bits left by the chicken. Sauté them for about 5 minutes until the onions turn translucent and everything smells amazing.

Pop the chicken back into the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat so it simmers gently. Let it cook away for about 30 minutes. This will make the chicken tender and infuse the broth with flavor.

While your chicken is simmering, it's time to make the dumplings. In a bowl, combine flour, milk, baking powder, salt, pepper, and those delightful fresh herbs. Mix until it forms a sticky dough. It's a quick process, and you'll have dough ready in no time.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot, shred it with two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the broth. Stir in the frozen peas at this point.

Now for the fun part! Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of the dumpling dough into the simmering broth. Cover the pot and let them cook for about 15 minutes. You'll know they're done when they're fluffy and cooked through.

Serve the dish hot, and if you like, sprinkle some extra fresh herbs on top for a bit more color and flavor. Enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Uses simple, wholesome ingredients you're likely to have on hand.
  • Combines the rich flavors of slow-cooked chicken with fresh herbs.
  • Features fluffy dumplings that are surprisingly easy to make.
  • Delivers a satisfying one-pot meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onions
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp mixed fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary), chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and sear on both sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Return chicken to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
4. While the chicken cooks, prepare the dumplings by mixing flour, milk, baking powder, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs in a bowl until a sticky dough forms.
5. Once chicken is cooked, remove from the pot, shred, and return to the pot. Stir in frozen peas.
6. Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of dumpling dough into the simmering broth. Cover the pot and cook for 15 minutes or until dumplings are fluffy.
7. Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!