There’s something about a bowl of chicken and dumplings that makes you feel all the feels. It’s total comfort food, and this version makes it easy to enjoy on any night of the week. It’s ready in about an hour, with only 20 minutes of active prep. This recipe keeps things simple, yet still brings the flavor. The dumplings puff up perfectly, creating tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites that are sure to bring all the comfort food vibes you are looking for.

For the rolled flat noodle dumplings, check out our Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings.

Why Our Recipe

  • Ready in about an hour, with 40 minutes of it being simmering time.
  • A flavorful broth with carrots, celery, and onion.
  • 4-ingredient drop dumplings that are fluffy and melt in your mouth!
A ladle of Easy Chicken and Dumplings with cubes of chicken, sliced carrots and dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings is a classic American comfort food. You can find a wide variety of methods and preparations out there for chicken and dumplings, particularly when it comes to the dough for the dumpling itself. This particular recipe uses the drop biscuit type of dough. It’s a simple dough with only a handful of ingredients. Buttermilk is used to interact with baking powder to form a puffy dumpling. The dough is dropped into the simmering liquid in various sizes for a rustic, homestyle look.

Ingredient Notes

  • Celery: Go ahead and slice them up.
  • Carrots: Give them a dice. No need to peel, but you can peel them if you prefer.
  • White Onion: Give them a dice. You can use a white or a yellow onion here.
  • Garlic: Fresh is best and will always give you the best flavor.
  • Chicken Breasts: These are convenient and shred easily. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer the dark meat.
  • Chicken Broth: Using a low-sodium broth is recommended so you can control the seasoning.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Use regular all-purpose flour for tender, fluffy dumplings.
  • Baking Powder: This is what makes the dumplings puff up.
  • Buttermilk: Buttermilk makes the dumplings extra tender and gives them a slight tang. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar; let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Rotisserie Chicken Time Saver

If you’d like to save time, rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut for this recipe. Simply skip the step of cooking the chicken breasts and add shredded rotisserie chicken directly into the pot after the broth has come to a boil. About 2 to 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken should be enough. Since the chicken is already cooked, you’ll only need to simmer it for a few minutes to let the flavors meld before adding the dumplings. This option cuts down on cooking time and still delivers deliciously tender chicken in every bite!

A bowl of chicken and dumplings with chicken, carrots, celery and dumplings

Thicker Broth Option

If you prefer a thicker broth base rather than a thin, brothy soup, you can easily thicken it before adding the dumplings. Take about 1/3 cup of the liquid from the pot and place it into a bowl. Whisk in 2 teaspoons of cornstarch until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps, then pour it back into the soup pot, stirring to combine. Once your thickening mixture is incorporated, you’re ready to add the dumplings. The broth will continue to thicken as the dumplings cook, giving you a heartier, stew-like consistency.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.

Reheat in the microwave on high in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, until hot.

More comfort food soups…

Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.