Easy Healthy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe (Southern Style) – Quick Homemade Dinner
Easy Healthy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe (Southern Style)
Nothing says comfort food like a warm bowl of homemade chicken and dumplings. This Southern-style recipe delivers classic flavor with a healthy twist, using fresh ingredients and simple techniques. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish comes together in under 45 minutes and will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Stew:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Stew Base
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables
In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Step 3: Create the Broth
Return chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Make Dumpling Dough
While stew simmers, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and melted butter, stirring until just combined. Fold in fresh parsley.
Step 5: Cook Dumplings
Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of dumpling dough into the simmering stew. Cover and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Remove bay leaf. Stir in milk to create a creamy broth. Serve hot with extra parsley for garnish.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overmix Dumplings: Stir the dough just until combined – overmixing makes them tough
- Keep the Lid On: Don’t peek while dumplings cook to ensure they steam properly
- Fresh Herbs Matter: Fresh parsley and thyme provide much better flavor than dried
- Customize Vegetables: Add peas, corn, or green beans for extra nutrition
- Make Ahead: The stew base can be made a day ahead – just reheat and add dumplings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Use 2-3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken added in step 3 instead of cooking raw chicken.
How do I make gluten-free dumplings?
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I freeze chicken and dumplings?
The stew freezes well, but dumplings become soggy when thawed. Freeze just the stew portion and make fresh dumplings when ready to serve.
What’s the difference between Southern and other styles?
Southern-style features a creamy broth and fluffy drop dumplings, while other regions might use rolled and cut dumplings or a clearer broth.
How long do leftovers last?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
Easy Healthy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe (Southern Style)
Ingredients
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Return chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
- While stew simmers, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and melted butter, stirring until just combined. Fold in fresh parsley.
- Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of dumpling dough into the simmering stew. Cover and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Remove bay leaf. Stir in milk to create a creamy broth. Serve hot with extra parsley for garnish.
