Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (2024)

by Tiffany King 445 Comments

Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (1)

A bowl of homemade chicken and dumplings. A glass of sweet tea. It’s a meal any Kentuckian would be proud to fix and danged happy to sit down to.

And it’s not hard to make. Come on, I’ll show you how…

You probably have all the ingredients for these dumplings in your kitchen right now.

And you don’t have to be a great cook to make them.

Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (2)

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

First, here’s what you’ll need to make your old fashioned, homemade chicken and dumplings:

Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (3)

  • about 3 cups cooked chicken
  • 6-8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 Tbs. butter
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • salt to taste (I just shake some in)
  • about a cup of milk, maybe a bit less

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or pastry blender.

Stir in the milk, mixing with a fork until the dough forms a ball.

Heavily flour a work surface. You’ll need a rolling pin and something to cut the dumplings with. I like to use a pizza cutter.

I also like to use a small spatula to lift the dumplings off the cutting surface.

Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (4)

Roll the dough out thin with a heavily floured rolling pin.

Dip your cutter in flour and cut the dumplings in squares about 2″x2″. It’s okay for them not to be exact. Just eyeball it.

Some will be bigger, some smaller, some shaped funny.

Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (5)

Use the floured spatula to put them on a heavily floured plate. Just keep flouring between the layers of dumplings.

Ifthey will be cookedsoon, this method works well.

If I’m going to cook them later in the day I layer them on a cookie sheet with wax paper between and lots of flour.

You can also freeze them like this and then transfer them to a ziplock bag.

To cook them, bring the broth to a boil. Drop the dumplings in one at a time, stirring while you add them.

The extra flour on them will help thicken the broth. Cook them for about 15-20 minutes or until they not doughy tasting.

Add the cooked chicken to the pot and you’re done!

Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (6)

Print Recipe

4.05 from 239 votes

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings – It’s Easy. Really.

Ingredients

  • about 3 cups cooked chicken
  • 6-8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 Tbs. butter
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • salt to taste I just shake some in
  • about a cup of milk maybe a bit less

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or pastry blender. Stir in the milk, mixing with a fork until the dough forms a ball.

  • Heavily flour a work surface. You’ll need a rolling pin and something to cut the dumplings with. I like to use a pizza cutter. I also like to use a small spatula to lift the dumplings off the cutting surface.

  • Roll the dough out thin with a heavily floured rolling pin. Dip your cutter in flour and cut the dumplings in squares about 2″x2″. It’s okay for them not to be exact. Just eye ball it. Some will be bigger, some smaller, some shaped funny.

  • Use the floured spatula to put them on a heavily floured plate. Just keep flouring between the layers of dumplings. If they will be cooked soon, this method works well. If I’m going to cook them later in the day I layer them on a cookie sheet with wax paper between and lots of flour. You can also freeze them like this and then transfer them to a ziplock bag.

  • To cook them, bring the broth to a boil. Drop the dumplings in one at a time, stirring while you add them. The extra flour on them will help thicken the broth. Cook them for about 15-20 minutes or until they not doughy tasting. Add the cooked chicken to the pot and you’re done!

Want to try other tasty chicken and dumplings recipes?

Here are three more homemade chicken and dumpling recipes:

Made in the Slow Cooker

Made in a Slow Cooker with Gnocchi

Drop Dumpling Stew

Have you ever made homemade chicken and dumplings?

Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (7)

Eat at Home Weekly Meal Plans

Join thousands of happy members and let us do your meal planning and grocery list making for you. We make dinner fiteasily into your days by giving you 15-minute meals, lots of slow cooker meals and keeping things simple. Find out how you can become a member here.

Super Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe - Eat at Home (2024)

FAQs

Can I use water instead of chicken broth for chicken and dumplings? ›

Chicken Broth Substitute: Salted Butter + Water

If you don't have broth on hand and want a little more flavor than just plain water, try subbing in 1 cup of water plus 1 tablespoon of butter for every cup of chicken broth in your recipe. The butter will help create a richer flavor than just water alone.

How do you thicken homemade chicken and dumplings? ›

Use Cornstarch to Thicken Chicken and Dumplings

To give that a little thicker texture we're going to add 1 cup of cool water to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and stir it up well. Make sure the soup is brought back to a good boil and go ahead and stir in the cornstarch mixture.

How do you keep dumplings from falling apart in chicken and dumplings? ›

The steam that builds up by covering the pot is what cooks the dumplings. Don't boil or stir the dumplings. Vigorous boiling and stirring will cause the dumplings to fall apart.

What to do if you don't have enough chicken broth? ›

To substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth, simply use a 1:1 ratio. No additional salt is needed, as vegetable broth is typically seasoned. Chicken bouillon granules or cubes: These are concentrated chicken flavorings that can be dissolved in water to make a broth substitute.

What do you need to make bone broth? ›

As we mentioned above, time is an important ingredient in making good bone broth; in addition, you'll need bones (such as chicken carcasses or short ribs and oxtail), aromatics (carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and bay leaves), salt, and water.

How long do you boil dumplings for? ›

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook dumplings in batches of about eight until they are cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the dumplings to a serving platter. Serve warm with the dipping sauce.

Do you boil dumplings with lid on or off? ›

It's best to have your lid ready: Immediately add about 3 tablespoons of water to the pan, just enough to cover the base of the dumplings, then cover and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the water has evaporated.

What are the 3 main ways to cook dumplings? ›

A guide to cook dumplings in three ways – boiling, steaming, and pan-frying. Includes equipment needed and tips to make perfect dumplings every single time. We almost always have a bag of dumplings in the freezer – either store-bought or homemade ones.

Why are my chicken dumplings not fluffy? ›

You can test a dumpling to check they are done — The center should look cooked through and fluffy, not doughy. When cooking the dumplings, keep the pot at a gentle simmer. An aggressive simmer or boiling will break them apart. Keep the heat low and keep your pot covered so that they steam.

How to tell when dumplings are done? ›

Cover and bring to a vigorous boil. Add roughly one cup of cold water and return to boil while covered. Repeat this step again. The dumplings will be completely cooked and ready when they float on the surface of the boiling water.

How do you keep chicken and dumplings from sticking together? ›

Bring the broth to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and drop in the dumplings a few at a time, giving them a good stir to prevent sticking together. When all the dumplings have been added, cover the pot and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally so the dumplings don't stick together.

Why did my homemade dumplings fall apart? ›

Some doughs are too dry, so the dumplings won't stay sealed. Others can be too wet and sticky and end up tearing. If the filling isn't cohesive enough, it will tumble out when you bite into it. If there's air trapped in the sealed dumpling, it will balloon during cooking, causing an explosive first bite.

How do you make dumplings without falling apart? ›

Here are some tips on how to cook dumplings so that they do not fall apart:
  1. Use the right dough. Dumpling dough should be moist and pliable, but not sticky. ...
  2. Don't overwork the dough. ...
  3. Fill the dumplings loosely. ...
  4. Seal the dumplings tightly. ...
  5. Cook the dumplings in a gently simmering liquid.
Mar 20, 2023

How long do you boil chicken? ›

Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts: cook for about 30 minutes (That would mean boiling frozen chicken for about 45 minutes), or until 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Skinless, boneless chicken breast halves: cook 12 to 15 minutes. (That means boiling frozen chicken would take 18 to 22 minutes.)

What happens if I use water instead of chicken broth? ›

Fortunately, we're here to let you in on a game-changing secret: Water makes a more than acceptable replacement for chicken stock in most soups, stews, sauces, and braises. And in many cases, water actually produces a better-tasting result.

Can you cook dumplings in just water? ›

Put frozen dumplings into boiling water and wait until the water boils again. Stir it to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add a bowl of cold water and wait for it to boil again, repeat it 2 - 3 times and you can eat it. It takes 15 minutes.

Can you cook chicken in water instead of chicken broth? ›

My method is very simple and straightforward: Just cover the chicken with about an inch of water and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat until the water is simmering, cover the pot, and let the chicken cook. That's it!

Is broth or stock better for chicken and dumplings? ›

Chicken Broth – Chicken stock will work just fine too for this chicken & dumpling recipe. Milk – This will give your dish its creamy consistency. I recommend whole milk, but you can also use low-fat milk. Seasoning – Simple dried seasonings will bring the flavor out in this dish.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 5611

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.