Description
This easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe delivers a comforting and hearty meal featuring tender cooked chicken simmered in a creamy broth with fluffy homemade dumplings. Quick to prepare and perfect for any season, this classic dish combines savory flavors and a satisfying texture that’s sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 4 cups cooked chicken or turkey, chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans chicken broth
- 3 cans of water (use the empty soup can to measure)
Dumplings
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- ¼ cup shortening
- ¾ cup boiling water (add gradually as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the broth mixture: Place the chopped chicken, celery, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and water into a large soup pot. Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover and reduce the heat, allowing it to simmer while you prepare the dumplings.
- Make the dumpling dough: In a large mixing bowl, add the self-rising flour. Cut in the shortening using a fork or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add boiling water to form dough: Gradually pour in the boiling water—starting with about half a cup—and add more as needed just until the dough forms into a ball.
- Roll and cut the dough: Dust a clean surface with flour, roll the dough out to about ⅛-inch thickness, and cut it into strips and squares.
- Add dumplings to broth: Remove the lid from the pot of boiling broth. Add the dumpling squares one at a time, quickly covering the pot each time to keep the temperature steady. Let them cook for about 30 seconds between each addition.
- Simmer dumplings: Once all the dumplings are added, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Alternate dumpling method: For soft, fluffy drop dumplings, skip rolling the dough. Simply pinch off small, uniform pieces and drop them directly into the boiling broth. Simmer as directed until cooked through.
- Serve: Ladle the hearty chicken and dumplings into bowls and enjoy warm.
Notes
- You can use cooked turkey instead of chicken if preferred.
- Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt; avoid adding extra salt to dumpling dough.
- For a richer broth, add a splash of milk or cream before simmering.
- Dumplings should be gently stirred occasionally to avoid sticking but not broken apart.
- To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken chopped finely.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
