The Fluffiest Feather Dumplings For Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

My grandma’s cherished feather dumplings have graced our family table for generations, bringing comfort and warm memories.

Soft cloud-like pillows of dough float delicately in rich chicken broth, promising pure culinary magic.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic Southern dish with whispered techniques passed down through kitchens.

Light as air and impossibly tender, these dumplings melt in you like a gentle embrace.

Crafting these delicate morsels requires patience and a gentle touch that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Chicken and dumplings represent more than just a meal – they’re a celebration of traditional cooking.

Prepare to fall in love with this soul-warming recipe that connects you to generations of home cooking.

Feather Dumplings for Chicken and Dumplings Essentials

• Flour: The base for the dumpling dough, providing structure and texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt, Pepper: Adds seasoning and enhances overall flavor of the dumplings.

• Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind the dough together.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps create a tender dumpling texture.

• Butter (Cold, Cubed): Creates flaky, tender layers in the dumplings, essential for a light texture. Use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.

Feather Dumpling Instructions for Classic Chicken Soup

Step 1: Whip Up Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.

Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of seasonings.

Step 2: Create Buttery Crumbs

Add cold cubed butter into the flour mixture.

Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend the butter until the mixture looks like rough, sandy crumbs.

Step 3: Prepare Liquid Binder

In a separate small bowl, whisk together milk and beaten egg until well combined.

Step 4: Form Soft Dumpling Dough

Slowly pour the milk-egg mixture into the flour blend.

Stir gently and carefully to create a soft, tender dough.

Avoid overmixing to keep the dumplings light and fluffy.

Step 5: Bring Broth to Simmer

Heat your chicken soup or broth until it reaches a gentle, rolling simmer.

The liquid should be bubbling softly but not boiling aggressively.

Step 6: Drop Dumpling Clouds

Scoop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough directly into the simmering broth.

Space the dumplings evenly across the surface.

Step 7: Cover and Cook

Place a tight-fitting lid on the pot.

Allow dumplings to steam and cook for 15-20 minutes until they become puffy and fully cooked through.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Ladle the dumplings and chicken soup into bowls.

Enjoy the warm, comforting meal with its pillowy, delicate dumplings.

Foolproof Tips for Feather-Light Dumplings

• Use cold butter and cut it into the flour mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs to create light, flaky dumplings that melt in your mouth.
• Stir the milk and egg mixture into flour just until combined, avoiding overmixing to prevent tough, dense dumplings.
• Keep the broth at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, to ensure dumplings cook evenly and stay tender.
• Drop dumpling dough in uniform spoonfuls for consistent cooking and a beautiful presentation.
• Cover the pot while dumplings cook to trap steam and help them puff up perfectly and cook through completely.

Save Feather Dumplings for Later

• Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Gently warm the dish in a pot over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to maintain moisture and prevent rubbery dumplings.
• Freeze the dish for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Enjoy with Feather Dumplings

• Enhance Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp Chardonnay with light oak notes to complement the creamy chicken broth and delicate dumpling texture.
• Herbal Side Kick: Serve alongside a fresh herb salad with parsley, dill, and chives to add brightness and cut through the richness of the dish.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Select a crusty sourdough or country-style bread to soak up the flavorful broth and provide a satisfying crunch between bites.
• Comfort Beverage Match: Pour a light, amber craft beer with mild maltiness that enhances the hearty chicken and tender dumpling flavors.

Dumpling Styles for Comfort Food Fans

• Gluten-Free Dumplings: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend like almond or rice flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap milk with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk and use dairy-free margarine instead of butter.
• Herb-Infused Dumplings: Add fresh chopped herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley into the flour mixture for extra flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use coconut flour or cauliflower rice as a base to reduce carbohydrate content, creating a lighter dumpling suitable for keto diets.

FAQs

The name comes from their incredibly light and airy texture, which makes them feel almost as light as a feather when you bite into them.

• Can I make the dumplings ahead of time?

You can prepare the dry and wet ingredients separately, but mix them just before cooking to ensure the dumplings remain light and fluffy.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these dumplings?

No special equipment is needed – just a mixing bowl, whisk, and a spoon for dropping the dough into the broth.

• How do I know when the dumplings are fully cooked?

The dumplings will puff up and look slightly puffy and firm when they’re fully cooked, typically after 15-20 minutes of simmering in the broth.

Feather Dumplings That Make Chicken Stew Complete

• Quick Kitchen Magic: Whip up these feather-light dumplings that transform an ordinary chicken soup into a heartwarming meal.
• Beginner-Friendly Cooking: Master this recipe with simple ingredients and basic kitchen skills, perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• Comfort Food Champion: Delivers a nostalgic, soul-satisfying experience that brings families together around the dinner table with minimal effort.
• Time-Saving Delight: Prepare dumplings in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution for busy households.

Feather Dumplings For Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade Feather Dumplings elevate classic chicken and dumplings with pillowy, cloud-like texture that melts in your mouth. Southern comfort meets culinary craftsmanship in this hearty dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Fat Component:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed

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Instructions

1. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
2. Integrate cold butter cubes into the flour mixture, using fingertips or a pastry cutter to create a crumbly texture resembling coarse sand.
3. Whisk milk and egg together in a separate container until thoroughly blended.
4. Pour liquid ingredients into the flour mixture, gently folding until a soft, cohesive dough forms without excessive stirring.
5. Heat chicken broth to a gentle simmer, creating a bubbling liquid base for the dumplings.
6. Using a spoon, carefully drop dollops of dough directly into the simmering liquid, allowing space between each dumpling.
7. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, trapping steam and heat to help dumplings expand and cook evenly.
8. Allow dumplings to cook undisturbed for approximately 15-20 minutes, monitoring their growth and ensuring they become light and fluffy.
9. Once dumplings are fully puffed and cooked through, gently remove them with a slotted spoon into serving bowls.
10. Ladle surrounding chicken broth over the dumplings and serve immediately while warm and tender.

Notes

• Reduce mixing to prevent tough dumplings, gently combine ingredients until just incorporated.
• Use cold butter and work quickly to create light, flaky texture that melts in your mouth.
• substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend for sensitive diets.
• Keep broth at steady simmer to ensure even cooking and fluffy dumpling consistency without breaking apart.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg