Dad's Chicken and Dumplings

Warm, comforting, and steeped in tradition, Dad’s Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate one-pot meal for cozy family dinners. Tender, golden-seared chicken thighs simmer alongside a medley of aromatic vegetables in a rich, savory broth that’s loaded with homemade flavor. Fluffy, buttery dumplings made from scratch are gently dropped into the pot, cooking to pillowy perfection as they soak up the soup’s hearty goodness. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and a total cook time of under an hour and a half, this recipe is as approachable as it is satisfying. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color, Dad’s Chicken and Dumplings is a time-honored dish that turns simple ingredients into a soul-warming feast. Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend comfort food, this classic recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 large celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt (for dumplings)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
• 0.75 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Season the chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.

Step 2

In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaves. Return the chicken thighs to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 5

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dumpling dough. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Add the cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly pour in the milk and mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 6

Remove the chicken thighs from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Shred the chicken, discarding the skin and bones, and return the meat to the pot.

Step 7

Using a spoon, drop small mounds of dumpling dough (about 1 tablespoon each) directly onto the surface of the simmering soup. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid, until they are fluffy and cooked through.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaves, taste the broth, and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 9

Garnish the dish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3458.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3192.4

Total Fat 180.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 632.0mg	0%
Sodium 6127.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 242.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.2g	0%
Total Sugars 32.3g
Protein 160.1g	0%

Vitamin D 108.5IU	0%
Calcium 522.9mg	0%
Iron 19.8mg	0%
Potassium 2793.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.2%

Protein: 19.8%

Carbs: 30.0%