Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings

1 Shares

This Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings is the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings. Creamy, savory, and hearty, this dish is made in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. It features tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy homemade dumplings, all simmered in a rich broth. The simplicity of this recipe, combined with its homestyle goodness, makes it an ideal meal for busy weekdays or cozy holiday gatherings.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients
For the chicken and soup:

  • 2 lbs chicken breast

  • Salt to taste

  • Pepper to taste

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 5 tbsp butter

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 1 cup diced carrots

  • 2 celery sticks, chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tsp hot sauce

  • 1/3 cup flour

  • 4 1/2 cups chicken broth

  • 1 1/2 cups half and half

  • 3/4 cup frozen peas

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard

  • 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

  • 1/2 tsp rosemary

  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme

  • 1/4 tsp ground sage

  • 1/8 tsp pepper

  • 1/2 tsp parsley, chopped

For the dumplings:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 tsp sugar

  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

  • 4 tbsp butter, melted

  • 1/4 cup milk, cold

  • 3/4 cup sour cream, cold

Directions

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear them until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and let rest before dicing.

  2. In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for about 5 minutes.

  3. Stir in garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings. Cook for 1 minute.

  4. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, then slowly add the chicken broth, scraping the bottom to release the fond (flavorful brown bits).

  5. Stir in half and half and frozen peas. Let the soup simmer gently.

  6. For the dumplings, mix dry ingredients in a bowl, then add melted butter, milk, and sour cream. Fold until combined but don’t overmix.

  7. Add diced chicken back to the pot, then scoop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering soup.

  8. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Nutrients (per serving)

  • Calories: 607 kcal

  • Total Fat: 46g

  • Saturated Fat: 22g

  • Trans Fat: 1g

  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g

  • Cholesterol: 190mg

  • Sodium: 227mg

  • Carbohydrates: 18g

  • Fiber: 1g

  • Sugar: 15g

  • Protein: 30g

A One-Pot Wonder

One of the standout features of this stovetop chicken and dumplings recipe is its simplicity. Made in a single pot, this dish saves both time and effort, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or when you simply want to minimize the number of dishes you need to clean. By using the same pot for searing the chicken, cooking the vegetables, and simmering the soup, you can streamline the cooking process without sacrificing flavor.

The use of a single pot also allows the flavors to meld together as they cook. The chicken, vegetables, and seasonings release their natural juices and aromas into the broth, creating a rich and flavorful base for the dish. As the dumplings cook in this flavorful broth, they absorb all the delicious flavors, ensuring that every bite is a taste of comfort.

Tender Chicken and Savory Broth

At the heart of any good chicken and dumplings recipe is, of course, the chicken and the broth. For this stovetop version, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection, giving them a slight crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy on the inside. Searing the chicken before adding it to the broth helps develop a rich, deep flavor that adds complexity to the soup base.

Once the chicken is cooked and diced, it’s added back to the pot, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the broth. The broth itself is a savory mixture of chicken stock and half and half, creating a creamy base that coats the chicken and vegetables. The addition of seasonings like Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a variety of herbs—such as thyme, rosemary, and sage—gives the soup a depth of flavor that’s both comforting and satisfying. These seasonings help to elevate the dish, providing a perfect balance of warmth and richness.

The addition of peas adds a burst of color and sweetness to the soup, further enhancing its flavor profile while also contributing a nutritious element. The vegetables, such as carrots and celery, provide essential vitamins and minerals while adding texture to the dish. As they cook, they absorb the flavors of the broth, making each bite a delightful combination of savory chicken and tender vegetables.

Fluffy, Homemade Dumplings

Dumplings are the soul of any chicken and dumplings recipe, and in this stovetop version, they are light, fluffy, and perfectly cooked. The dumplings are made from a simple mixture of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a few other ingredients, including sour cream, milk, and butter, which help give them their tender texture.

The dumplings are added directly to the simmering soup, where they cook gently in the rich broth. As they cook, they absorb the flavors of the broth while staying soft and fluffy on the inside. The key to perfect dumplings is not overmixing the dough—doing so can make them dense, whereas gentle folding creates the ideal texture.

The result is a batch of dumplings that are light and airy, perfectly complementing the creamy chicken and broth. Each spoonful of soup delivers a satisfying bite of both tender chicken and fluffy dumplings, making this dish an incredibly comforting and fulfilling meal.

A Flavorful Balance of Seasonings

The beauty of this stovetop chicken and dumplings recipe lies in its balance of seasonings. The combination of savory herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage adds a depth of flavor that complements the richness of the chicken and broth. These herbs infuse the soup with a comforting, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy broth and tender chicken.

The addition of Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce introduces a subtle tang and heat to the dish, balancing out the richness of the butter and cream. The Worcestershire sauce contributes a hint of umami, while the hot sauce adds a gentle kick, providing a well-rounded flavor profile. Together, these seasonings create a dish that’s savory, comforting, and slightly spicy without being overwhelming.

Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning the dish to taste, ensuring that the flavors are perfectly balanced. These simple seasonings help enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables, allowing the dish to shine without any single flavor dominating the overall taste.

Perfect for Family Meals and Gatherings

Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings is an ideal dish for family meals, gatherings, or when you’re hosting a comforting dinner for friends. Its simplicity and heartiness make it a crowd-pleaser, and its ability to be made in one pot means it’s perfect for cooking in larger quantities. Whether you’re serving it for a casual family dinner or preparing a larger batch for a gathering, this dish can easily be scaled up or down to accommodate the number of guests.

The dish is also highly customizable. While the recipe calls for classic vegetables like carrots, celery, and peas, you can easily swap in other vegetables to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Adding ingredients like corn, green beans, or potatoes can add variety and texture to the dish, making it more versatile and adaptable.

A Meal for All Occasions

Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight meal, a special dish for a holiday gathering, or something to impress your guests at a dinner party, stovetop chicken and dumplings fits the bill. Its homestyle flavors and comforting ingredients make it perfect for cozy nights spent with family or friends. The rich broth, tender chicken, and fluffy dumplings come together to create a dish that feels like a warm embrace, providing both nourishment and comfort.

This dish is especially great for colder months, as the warm broth and hearty ingredients help provide the perfect antidote to chilly weather. It’s the kind of meal that invites you to slow down, savor each bite, and enjoy the simple pleasures of a home-cooked meal.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings is a classic comfort food that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat. With its rich, creamy broth, tender chicken, and fluffy dumplings, this dish is a hearty, comforting meal that brings warmth and joy to any table. The fact that it’s made in one pot makes it an even more appealing option for busy weeknights or special family dinners, offering both convenience and flavor.

The versatility of this dish, with its ability to be customized with different vegetables and seasonings, ensures that it can suit any taste or dietary preference. Whether you’re serving it for a casual meal or a festive gathering, stovetop chicken and dumplings is sure to be a hit. It’s the kind of dish that brings people together, making it the perfect choice for creating lasting memories over a delicious meal.

1 Shares

Leave a Comment