Delicious Southern Chicken Dumplings Recipe to Try at Home
Welcome to my kitchen, where I’m about to share with you my secret recipe for the most delicious Southern Chicken and Dumplings. This recipe that I’m about to unveil has been passed down by generations and perfected over time. You might have tried chicken dumplings before, but trust me; this one is a game-changer.
The Southern Chicken and Dumplings are one of the most comforting dishes of all times; it’s the perfect blend of hearty chicken soup and buttery dumplings. Every spoonful of this soul-warming dish feels like a warm hug from grandma.
As a chef specializing in southern-style cuisine, I strongly believe that a good meal has the power to bring people together. And this dish does precisely that. It’s a classic southern-style dish that brings back memories of fall evenings, cozy blankets, and family gatherings.
So let’s not waste any more time and get started on this old fashioned southern style chicken dumpling dish that will undoubtedly get your taste buds dancing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a warm bowl of old-fashioned Southern-style chicken and dumplings. This classic dish takes you back to simpler times when family recipes were passed down from one generation to another. You’ll love this recipe for its simplicity, ease, and unbeatable taste.
Firstly, this recipe is easy to make, even for those who are new to cooking. With only a few simple steps and ingredients, you can make a delicious and hearty meal that will satisfy your taste buds and your appetite alike. From start to finish, you’ll have a steaming hot pot of juicy chicken and delectable dumplings in just over an hour – perfect for those busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Secondly, the flavors in this dish are absolutely divine. The creamy broth infused with chicken flavor and studded with juicy chunks of chicken breast makes the base for the velvety dumplings that cradle them. Every bite is pure bliss – comforting, filling and full of unforgettable flavor that will keep you coming back for more.
Lastly, there’s something nostalgic about this dish that will take you back in time each time you make it. Whether it reminds you of your grandma’s hearty meals or childhood memories of outdoor cookouts, making homemade Southern-style chicken and dumplings is an act of love that can create cherished memories all over again.
So if you need a reminder of how good homemade cooking can be or want to wow your guests with the ultimate comfort food, try out this recipe for yourself. Believe us: once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredient List
Here’s everything you’ll need to get started with this Southern-style Chicken and Dumplings Recipe:
- Chicken: You’ll need 3-4 chicken breasts (boneless or bone-in) or 1 whole chicken (roughly chopped)
- Water: 2-3 quarts of water for cooking the chicken
- Chicken broth: 1-1/2 to 2 quarts of homemade chicken broth or canned chicken broth
- Salted butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons
- All-purpose flour: 1 cup plus additional for dusting
- Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper: For seasoning the chicken and dumpling dough
- Buttermilk or heavy cream: 1/2 cup buttermilk or heavy cream (optional)
- Egg: 1 large egg
- Dry ingredients for dumplings: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Make sure that you have all of these ingredients at hand to make the process easier.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Place chicken in a large pot and fill the pot with water until it covers the chicken by about 2-3 inches.
Step 2: Add roughly chopped onion, celery, and carrot to the pot.
Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 4: Remove chicken from the pot and let it cool for a few minutes before removing skin and bones. Shred or dice the chicken and set aside.
Making the Dumplings
Step 5: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
Step 6: Cut cold salted butter into small chunks and add them to the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 7: Create a well in the center of your mixture.
Step 8: In a measuring glass or small bowl, whisk together an egg and buttermilk. Pour this mixture into the well created in Step 7.
Step 9: Stir just until moistened. Do not overmix.
Bringing it Together
Step 10: Divide your dumpling dough into two equal pieces.
Step 11: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one piece of dough at a time to about ¼ inch thickness.
Step12: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each piece of dough into strips (about an inch wide).
Step13: Cut each strip of dough into small squares using kitchen scissors.
Step14: In another large pot, bring chicken broth to a simmer over medium heat.
Step15: Drop dumplings one at a time into the simmering broth, making sure to separate them as they cook.
Step 16: Once all the dumplings have been added, let them cook for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.
Step 17: Add your reserved shredded chicken to the pot and heat through.
Time to Enjoy!
Your Southern-style chicken and dumplings dish is ready!
Pro Tip: Make sure to serve it hot with a side of greens and mashed potatoes. This hearty meal is perfect for those cold winter nights or anytime when you’re craving something warm, comforting, and delicious.
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t be afraid to experiment with this recipe and substitute some ingredients or make variations. Here are some ideas to help you mix things up and create a new twist on this classic southern-style dish:
– Instead of chicken breasts, you can use a whole chicken, chicken thighs, or even boneless skinless chicken thighs for a different flavor profile. The key is to make sure the meat is juicy and tender.
– You can also try adding other vegetables like carrots, celery, peas, or onions to give the dish some extra texture and flavor.
– If you don’t have heavy cream on hand, you could substitute it with regular milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. This will change the consistency slightly, but it will still be just as delicious.
– In place of all-purpose flour, you can use self-rising flour to make the dumplings rise even more. You could also try using wheat flour or gluten-free flour for a healthier option.
– For a quicker version of Southern-style dumplings, you can use canned biscuits as the base for your dumplings. Simply tear the biscuits into small pieces and drop them into the creamy broth.
– If you love the idea of an easy chicken soup but want something with more of a kick, try seasoning the broth with cayenne pepper or hot sauce. You could even add in some diced jalapeños or green chilies.
Mixing up these variations will give you endless possibilities to create old-fashioned southern-style chicken dumplings that suit your personal taste. So push out of your comfort zone and see what else you can flavor into this creamy classic.
Serving and Pairing
The beauty of Southern-style cuisine lies in its ability to be comforting, hearty, and simultaneously elegant. When serving this chicken and Southern dumplings dish, I suggest presenting it family-style in a large cast-iron skillet or casserole dish. This communal presentation adds to the informal, down-home feel of the meal and allows your guests to serve themselves at the table.
As for pairing, I recommend serving this dish with classic Southern sides such as collard greens or buttery cornbread. The creamy broth of the chicken and dumplings pairs well with a crispy green salad or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal. To accentuate the savory flavors of this dish further, pair it with a light-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or a buttery Chardonnay.
However, if you’re looking for something more casual, serve it up in bowls alongside hearty biscuits or soft dinner rolls. This dish is versatile enough to serve on its own as a comforting dinner or at gatherings as healthy party food. And no matter how you decide to present it, one thing is sure- everyone will be coming back for seconds!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the best things about this chicken and southern dumplings recipe is that it’s easy to make ahead, store and reheat. You can prepare it in advance, refrigerate or freeze it, and enjoy it later without any loss of flavor and texture.
To Make Ahead:
If you’re planning on making this dish ahead of time, I recommend cooking the chicken breasts and making the dumpling dough separately. Once done, cover the chicken with a plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you’re ready to make the final dish. As for the dumpling dough, wrap it up tightly with a cling wrap or put it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
To Store:
When storing leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to three days or freeze them for up to three months. I recommend using a freezer-safe container or bag, so that you can easily reheat or defrost the leftovers without having to transfer them to another container.
To Reheat:
When you’re ready to serve your leftovers, simply heat them up on low heat in a skillet or pot on the stovetop, adding some water or chicken broth as needed to keep the dumplings from drying out. Alternatively, you could use a microwave-safe dish with a lid or cover and heat them for about two minutes at high-power.
Note that when reheating frozen leftovers, you’ll need to thaw them first before reheating. If you plan on using a slow cooker for reheating, drop any frozen dumplings directly into the slow cooker and let them cook together to avoid overcooking. To ensure that your dish tastes just as good as when you first prepared it, don’t forget to add some salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning before serving.
Tips for Perfect Results
Cooking is an art and science that requires patience, creativity, and attention to detail. Preparing Southern style chicken and dumplings is no exception. To help you achieve perfect results every time, I’ve gathered a few tips and tricks that have worked for me.
First, when making the creamy broth for your chicken dumplings dish, make sure to use chicken broth made from scratch. Homemade chicken broth adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish that cannot be replicated with canned versions. You can also use a whole chicken, chopped roughly into pieces, in place of chicken breasts for juicier and more flavorful meat.
To make your dumplings soft and fluffy, use a combination of all-purpose flour and baking powder in your dry ingredients mixture. This will help make the dough rise better when it’s added to the boiling broth. Additionally, be careful not to overwork the dumpling dough when mixing it—we don’t want it becoming tough!
One crucial step is to keep the broth at a gentle simmer throughout the cooking process. If it boils too rapidly, your dumplings might become hard instead of soft and tender. Also, remember not to stir the dumplings too much once they’re in the pot because they can break apart easily.
Another tip is to season your dish carefully and taste along the way to ensure you achieve the right level of salt and pepper seasoning. When adding salted butter or heavy cream at the end, do so gradually while tasting repeatedly until you get just the right balance.
Lastly, if you are short on time or want a quicker alternative method, try using canned biscuits or biscuit dough for your drop dumplings. It’s not a traditional approach, but it will still give you easy chicken soup dumplings without compromising on taste.
With these tips and tricks under your belt, go ahead and impress all your friends with a steaming pot of homemade old-fashioned Southern dumplings!
FAQ
As you prepare to cook this delicious Chicken and Southern Dumplings Recipe, it’s natural to have questions or concerns about the process. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions and provided answers for your convenience. Whether you are new to cooking or want to learn more about the recipe ingredients and variations, these FAQs will help ensure that every step of the recipe turns out perfectly. So, let’s dive in and explore these frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between Southern and northern chicken and dumplings?
There are two different types of dumplings commonly found in American cuisine: southern-style and northern-style. While both are delicious in their own right, they are prepared differently. Southern-style dumplings are made with shortening and cooked by simmering them in the broth. In contrast, northern-style dumplings, which are not necessarily from the north, use butter in the dough and are steamed on the top of the pot.
What are Southern dumplings made of?
When making a recipe with dumplings, one will need to prepare the biscuit dough using a combination of flour, shortening, and liquid such as water, milk, buttermilk, or chicken stock. The dough can be flattened with a rolling pin, dropped in spoonfuls, or shaped into balls.
What do they call chicken and dumplings in the South?
Different regions across the southern United States have given their own unique names to the popular chicken and dumpling dish. For instance, Eastern North Carolina calls it “chicken and pastry”, while other cities use terms such as “slicks” or “slickers” to refer to the dumplings.
What is the trick to making good dumplings?
When making dumplings, it’s important to combine all of the wet and dry ingredients until they are mixed together. It’s important to avoid any dry flour showing, but don’t worry if the dough looks a bit uneven. One thing to keep in mind, however, is to avoid overworking the dough. This can lead to tough dumplings, which is never what we want!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Chicken and Southern Dumplings recipe is a perfect choice for those who enjoy an old-fashioned, southern-style meal. The creamy broth and juicy chicken will leave your taste buds yearning for more, while the tender dumplings add the perfect amount of texture to the dish.
With easy-to-find ingredients such as all-purpose flour, chicken breasts, and eggs, this recipe can be made even by novice cooks. With helpful tips and substitutions provided in this article, you can customize the recipe according to your liking.
Not only is this recipe easy to make and customize, but it takes just a few hours to prepare. It’s perfect for serving on cold winter nights or when you’re looking for a comforting meal. Plus, the leftovers store well in the refrigerator or freezer for days.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a delicious and heartwarming dish that reminds you of grandma’s kitchen, then try making these Southern Chicken Dumplings tonight! You’ll find yourself fully satisfied with its rich flavors and easy preparation.
Chicken and Southern Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole large chicken, cut into serving pieces
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon salted butter, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a pot and cover with water.
- Bring to a boil over med-high heat.
- Decrease the heat to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour.
- Add the butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper.
- Meanwhile, combine the egg, 1 tablespoon water, the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and the melted butter in a bowl.
- Slowly add the flour, stirring until the mixture forms a ball.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Turn the chilled dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times (add additional flour ot make the dough easy to handle).
- Roll out to a 1/8-inch thickness and cut into strips 1 by 4 inches long.
- Bring the chicken to a boil over med-high heat and slowly lower the strips of dough into the liquid (keeping the temperature at a boil will help prevent the dumplings from sticking together).
- When all the dumplings are in the pot, decrease the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for about 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, stir in the heavy cream.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.