Description
Southern chicken and dumplings deliver comfort through generations of hearty home cooking. Grandmothers’ classic techniques blend tender meat, creamy broth, and pillowy dumplings you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins, thawed
Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup diced carrots, celery, and onion
Base and Liquid:
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 5 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional)
Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
Seasonings:
- Freshly cracked pepper (to taste)
- Sea salt (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Create a flavorful base by gently melting butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté diced vegetables and parsley until they become tender and aromatic, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add bouillon and water. Simmer the chicken, covered, for 10-15 minutes until thoroughly cooked through.
- Craft the dumpling dough by mixing flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Incorporate buttermilk until a cohesive dough forms. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/4-inch thickness and slice into small squares.
- Extract the cooked chicken and strain the vegetables from the existing broth. Reintroduce the broth to the pan, supplementing with additional water, bouillon, and pepper. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil.
- Carefully drop dumplings into the bubbling broth, one at a time. Reduce heat and allow them to simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, ensuring they become completely tender.
- Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to the pot. Warm the chicken and allow the broth to naturally thicken. For added richness, swirl in heavy cream. Garnish with fresh cracked pepper and chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Choose tender, boneless chicken breasts for the most delicate texture and easiest preparation.
- Keep dumpling dough cold and handle minimally to ensure light, fluffy results that melt in your mouth.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and customize seasoning precisely to your taste.
- Gluten-free alternative: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg