Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Learn how to make homemade chicken and dumplings with easy steps. Comfort food dinner ready in under an hour with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- 3 celery stalks, chopped into half-inch pieces
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup low-fat milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add the diced chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown on the outside, approximately 4-5 minutes, then transfer to a clean plate.
- 3
Reduce heat to medium and add the diced yellow onions to the same pot, stirring frequently until they become translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the chopped carrots and celery pieces, continuing to cook while stirring for another 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften slightly.
- 5
Pour the low-sodium chicken broth into the pot and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom using a wooden spoon, then return the cooked chicken to the pot along with the bay leaves and fresh thyme.
- 6
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer while you prepare the dumpling dough.
- 7
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and sea salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- 8
Crack the egg into a separate small bowl, pour in the low-fat milk, and whisk until well combined.
- 9
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon just until a thick, slightly sticky batter forms—do not overmix.
- 10
Once the broth is simmering gently, drop rounded teaspoons of the dumpling batter directly into the pot, spacing them out slightly so they have room to puff up as they cook.
- 11
Allow the dumplings to cook for about 12-15 minutes, until they float to the surface and appear light and fluffy when you test one with a fork.
- 12
Taste the broth and season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper according to your preference.
- 13
Remove the pot from heat, discard the bay leaves, and stir in the fresh chopped parsley for color and brightness.
- 14
Ladle the chicken and dumplings into serving bowls and serve while still steaming hot.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| all-purpose flour (in dumplings) | whole wheat flour | Whole wheat flour provides more fiber and nutrients, supporting better blood sugar control and digestive health |
| regular chicken broth | low-sodium or homemade bone broth | Reduces sodium intake significantly while bone broth provides additional collagen and minerals beneficial for gut health and inflammation reduction |
| whole milk | unsweetened almond milk or oat milk | Reduces saturated fat and calories while maintaining creamy texture; plant-based option lowers inflammation markers |
| boneless, skinless chicken breasts | bone-in chicken thighs | Thighs contain more beneficial collagen and nutrients; create richer, more flavorful broth that supports joint and gut health |
| olive oil | ghee or avocado oil | Both tolerate higher cooking temperatures better and ghee provides additional butyric acid that supports gut barrier function |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 485 |
| Total Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 88mg |
| Sodium | 680mg |
| Carbohydrates | 54g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Protein | 39g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
