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Southern Chicken and Dumplings

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A classic Southern comfort food featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a creamy broth with soft, fluffy homemade dumplings. Perfect for cozy family meals and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 g)
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons (about 43 g) butter, melted
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and brown lightly on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the veggies and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly pour in 6 cups of chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer, scraping browned bits off the bottom.
  5. Return chicken thighs to the pot, add thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  6. While chicken simmers, combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add melted butter and milk, stirring until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
  7. Remove chicken from pot and let cool slightly. Shred meat with two forks, discarding bones.
  8. Bring broth back to a gentle simmer. Drop spoonfuls (about 1 tablespoon each) of dumpling dough into the broth. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes without lifting the lid until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
  9. Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir gently. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Stir in fresh parsley. Ladle chicken and dumplings into bowls and serve warm.

Notes

Do not lift the lid while dumplings cook to prevent them from deflating. If broth thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen. Use fresh baking powder for best dumpling texture. Adjust seasoning after cooking as broth saltiness may vary.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southern chicken and dumplings, comfort food, homemade dumplings, chicken recipe, easy dinner, classic Southern dish

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/southern-chicken-and-dumplings-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food-guide/