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Weekend • Chicken

Cozy Chicken and Dumplings

A classic, comforting chicken and dumpling stew with tender chicken and fluffy, easy-to-make dumplings.

Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Servings
6
Level
Weekend
Cozy Chicken and Dumplings

When you need a warm hug in a bowl, there’s nothing quite like a hearty batch of Cozy Chicken and Dumplings! This recipe brings you a rich, savory chicken stew topped with light, fluffy dumplings that are surprisingly simple to make. It’s the ultimate comfort food for a chilly evening or whenever you need a little extra coziness.

Ingredients

Yield: 6 servings

For the Stew

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for creaminess)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the Dumplings

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 4 tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Make the Stew: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the 1/4 cup flour and dried thyme, cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

  3. Step 3

    Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer, then return the cooked chicken to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Make the Dumplings: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  5. Step 5

    Add milk to the flour mixture and stir with a fork until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough will be shaggy.

  6. Step 6

    Stir frozen peas into the simmering stew. If using, stir in the heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasonings.

  7. Step 7

    Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough directly onto the simmering stew. Cover the pot tightly and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until dumplings are puffed and cooked through. Do not lift the lid during this time!

  8. Step 8

    Serve hot, garnishing with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips

  • For even richer flavor, use a mixture of chicken thighs and breasts.
  • Resist the urge to peek at the dumplings while they cook! The steam is crucial for them to get light and fluffy.

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