Description
Comfort meets Southern charm in this cheater chicken and dumplings recipe, a quick twist on classic comfort food. Hearty shortcuts and rich flavors merge effortlessly, promising you a delicious meal without hours of preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
- 4 cups chicken broth
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 2 carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 0.5 cup frozen peas
Soup and Dumpling Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup half-and-half (or whole milk)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dumpling Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Dumpling Wet Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.25 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Craft the aromatic foundation by melting butter in a spacious pot over medium flame. Gently sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they transform into tender, translucent morsels, releasing their subtle fragrance.
- Introduce chicken broth to the vegetable medley, allowing the liquid to reach a gentle simmer. Incorporate cooked chicken, verdant peas, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Allow the mixture to quietly bubble and meld for 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare the dumpling mixture in a separate vessel by whisking flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together. Pour in milk and melted butter, stirring until the batter reaches a thick, pillowy consistency that can be easily spooned.
- Carefully drop dollops of dumpling batter onto the simmering soup, ensuring even coverage across the surface. Seal the pot with a lid, permitting the dumplings to steam and expand for 15-20 minutes until they become puffy and firm.
- For those desiring a more luxurious texture, create a quick slurry by blending cornstarch with water. Gently stir this into the soup, then introduce half-and-half to create a silky, rich base. Simmer an additional 5 minutes, tasting and adjusting seasonings as needed.
- Serve the comforting creation by ladling into warm bowls, optionally garnishing with delicate fresh parsley for a pop of color and herbaceous essence.
Notes
- Swap out regular flour for gluten-free flour blend to make this dish celiac-friendly and maintain the same fluffy dumpling texture.
- Use shredded rotisserie chicken for maximum convenience and deeper flavor without extra cooking time.
- Customize the soup’s consistency by adjusting liquid ratios – add more broth for a thinner soup or reduce for a heartier stew-like meal.
- Enhance protein content by adding diced ham or additional chicken for a more substantial one-pot dinner option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg