Classic American Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Nothing screams comfort food more than a warm bowl of classic American chicken and dumplings. This dish, with its rich, savory broth and fluffy dumplings, has been a staple in American kitchens for generations. Whether you're reliving childhood memories or creating new ones, this recipe is sure to satisfy your soul.

Ingredients Needed for Classic American Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

To bring the heartiness of a classic American chicken and dumplings recipe to your table, gather the following ingredients:

1 whole chicken (approximately 3 to 4 pounds)
3 quarts of chicken broth
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt (for dumplings)
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons of butter, melted
1/4 cup chopped parsley, optional

Preparing the Chicken and Broth

Begin your journey to authentic home-cooked flavors with these straightforward steps:

First, place the whole chicken in a large pot. Cover it with the chicken broth and add the onion, carrots, celery, salt, and pepper. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the meat falls off the bone.

After the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot and let it cool. Once cool, shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones. Strain the broth to remove the vegetables, setting aside the clear broth.

Making the Dumplings for Your Classic American Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

No classic American chicken and dumplings recipe is complete without those perfect, fluffy dumplings:

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and teaspoon of salt (for dumplings). Make a well in the center and pour in the milk and melted butter. Stir until the mixture forms a sticky dough. Be careful not to overmix; this ensures light and airy dumplings.

Bring the strained broth back to a gentle simmer. Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering broth. The dumplings will expand as they cook, so give them space. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 10 to 15 minutes. They should be tender and fluffy when done.

Finishing Touches to Enhance the Flavor

With both the shredded chicken and dumplings ready, it's time for the finishing touches that elevate this dish:

Gently return the shredded chicken to the simmering broth with the dumplings. Let the mixture cook together for another 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Taste the broth and adjust seasonings as necessary, adding more salt and pepper if desired.

If you want to add a touch of color and freshness, stir in the chopped parsley just before serving. This step is optional but gives an appealing contrast to the dish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Classic American Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Place the whole chicken in a pot with broth, vegetables, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the chicken is tender.
Remove and cool the chicken, then shred the meat. Strain the broth.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and butter to form dough.
Drop spoonfuls of dough into simmering broth. Cook until dumplings are fluffy.
Return chicken to pot and simmer with dumplings for a few minutes.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, stir in parsley if using, and serve.