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Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings made from scratch is pure southern comfort food and it is not at all difficult to make. Tender dumplings, lots of shredded chicken, and a super flavorful broth make this an unbelievably delicious meal.

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Made From Scratch

Food always tastes better from scratch and Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings is no exception. It takes a little time to make, but it is not at all difficult. It will taste just like your grandmother made. This is food that is good for the soul.

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings from scratch

Use A Whole Chicken

This Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings recipe starts with a whole chicken simmered with carrots, onion, and celery, plus a bay leaf. The chicken is removed from the pot once cooked and the meat is shredded.

Homemade Dumplings

Homemade dumplings are super easy to make from flour, baking soda, vegetable shortening, and buttermilk. Roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thickness and pinch off pieces that are about 1 1/2 inches across. Drop the dough pieces into the simmering broth and watch them puff up into tender, doughy dumplings that are so soft and good. They are the best part for sure!

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings recipe

Recommended Equipment

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings from scratch

Love using your slow cooker? Try this Easy Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe.

More Southern Comfort Food

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings made from scratch is pure southern comfort food and it is not at all difficult to make. Tender dumplings, lots of shredded chicken, and a super flavorful broth make this an unbelievably delicious meal.
PREP: 30 minutes
COOK: 1 hour 10 minutes
TOTAL: 1 hour 40 minutes
SERVINGS: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 (3-pound) whole chicken
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 quarts water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk

Instructions

  • Place chicken, celery, carrots, onion and 2 teaspoons of salt in a Dutch oven. Add water and bay leaf.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
  • Remove chicken from pot. Let cool 15 minutes and then remove chicken from bone, discarding the skin and shredding the chicken.
  • Add pepper to pot and bring broth to a boil.
  • Meanwhile combine flour, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
  • Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut shortening into flour until it resmembles coarse meal.
  • Add buttermilk and stir until dry ingredients are moistened.
  • Turn dough out onto a floured surface and kead 4 to 5 times. Roll out to a 1/2-inch thickness.
  • Pinch off dough in 1 1/2-inch pieces and add to boiling broth. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcal
Author: Christin Mahrlig
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: chicken

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Recipe adapted from Southern Living

Bowl full of Chicken with Dumplings

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29 thoughts on “Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings”

  1. Southerner here, veggies always go in chicken and dumplings & meat is OFF the bone. Some of these people are crazy. I can’t wait to make this recipe. Thank you for posting!

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