Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings is a comforting, hearty dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a meal to feed the whole family. This classic recipe features tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings that soak up all the savory goodness. It’s a dish that evokes the warmth and hospitality of the South, and it’s incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a regular dinner, this recipe will quickly become a go-to comfort food.

The combination of the creamy broth and tender chicken along with the homemade dumplings creates a filling meal that’s both comforting and delicious. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish, with ingredients that are easy to find and instructions that are straightforward to follow. This Southern-style chicken and dumplings recipe will make your kitchen smell amazing and leave everyone at the table asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Comforting and Hearty

This dish is a perfect comfort food, especially on a cold day. The chicken and dumplings combine to make a filling and satisfying meal.

2. Made from Scratch

Both the broth and dumplings are made from scratch, so you can control the flavor and texture of each part of the dish. The dumplings are fluffy, soft, and perfect when dipped in the savory broth.

3. Easy to Make

While this dish may seem complicated, it’s actually quite simple to prepare. With just a few basic ingredients, you can have a homemade Southern classic on your table in no time.

4. Perfect for Family Meals

This recipe is perfect for a large group or family meal, as it yields plenty to serve everyone. It’s a great option for gatherings, special occasions, or weeknight dinners.

5. Versatile

You can adjust the flavor to your liking, such as adding more garlic, herbs, or spices to personalize the dish. You can also substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breasts for a more flavorful option.

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Ingredients

For the Chicken and Broth:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium white onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water

For the Dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup shortening (cold)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk

Variations

• Add Vegetables: For more texture and flavor, you can add carrots, celery, or peas to the broth. These vegetables complement the flavors and add extra nutrients.
• Use Chicken Thighs: For a richer, more flavorful dish, substitute the chicken breasts with chicken thighs. They will stay juicier and infuse the broth with more flavor.
• Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the broth for a little extra heat.
• Dumpling Variations: Instead of shortening, you can use butter for the dumplings to get a slightly different texture and flavor.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the chicken breasts and season them with salt and black pepper. Brown the chicken on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.

Step 2: Prepare the Broth

Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat and allow the chicken to cook through for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them with two forks.

Step 3: Thicken the Broth

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the broth, stirring constantly until the broth thickens slightly. Add the milk to the pot and stir to combine.

Step 4: Make the Dumplings

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold shortening and cut it into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually pour in the buttermilk, stirring just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.

Step 5: Add the Dumplings

Return the shredded chicken to the pot with the broth. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the simmering broth. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 15-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time, as the steam is necessary to cook the dumplings properly.

Step 6: Serve

Once the dumplings have cooked through and are light and fluffy, remove the pot from the heat. Serve the chicken and dumplings in bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overmix the Dumpling Dough: Overmixing will result in tough dumplings. Stir the dough just enough to combine the ingredients.
• Use Cold Shortening: Using cold shortening helps create flaky, tender dumplings. If you don’t have shortening, you can substitute with cold butter.
• Adjust Broth Consistency: If you prefer a thicker broth, use a little more cornstarch in the slurry. For a thinner consistency, add extra broth or milk.
• Shred the Chicken Well: Shredding the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces helps distribute the chicken evenly throughout the dish.

How to Serve

Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings is a complete meal on its own, but you can pair it with a side of cornbread or a simple green salad for an extra boost of flavor. For a more festive meal, serve with some pickled vegetables or coleslaw on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to thin out the broth if needed.

Freezing

While the dumplings are best fresh, the chicken and broth can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the mixture overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop before adding freshly made dumplings.

Reheating

To reheat the dish, warm it on the stovetop over low heat. If needed, add extra chicken broth or milk to maintain the desired consistency.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They are more flavorful and will stay tender and juicy in the broth.

2. Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make the chicken and broth in a slow cooker and then add the dumplings at the end, cooking them on high for about 30 minutes.

3. Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but you will need to increase the cooking time to ensure the chicken is cooked through.

4. Can I use skim milk instead of whole milk?

Yes, you can use skim or 2% milk, but the dish may be slightly less creamy.

5. Can I substitute the buttermilk in the dumplings?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to mimic the tanginess of buttermilk.

6. How can I make the dumplings fluffier?

Make sure to use cold shortening and do not overmix the dumpling dough to keep them light and fluffy.

7. Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Yes, you can add carrots, celery, or peas for extra flavor and texture.

8. Can I use a different type of flour for the dumplings?

You can use whole wheat flour, but the texture of the dumplings may be slightly denser.

9. How do I prevent the dumplings from getting soggy?

Be sure to cook the dumplings in the simmering broth without opening the lid, as they need the steam to cook properly.

10. Can I make this dish in advance?

You can make the chicken and broth in advance and refrigerate it, but it’s best to prepare the dumplings fresh right before serving.

Conclusion

Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food. With tender chicken, a rich and creamy broth, and fluffy dumplings, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re enjoying it on a cold winter evening or for a Sunday family dinner, it’s the kind of meal that brings people together. Simple, hearty, and flavorful, this recipe captures the essence of Southern comfort food in every bite.

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