Authentic Southern Chicken and Dumplings (Fluffy Drop Dumplings in Rich Creamy Chicken Stew)
Tender hand-shredded poached chicken stewed in a velvety aromatic herb broth, crowned with light, pillowy buttermilk drop dumplings that simmer to perfection.
History & Origins
The Heartland Comfort of Southern Stews
A cornerstone of American Southern hospitality, chicken and dumplings evolved as an ingenious rural comfort meal that stretches a stewing hen with tender, steaming dough dumplings into a rich communal feast.
Ingredients
Velvety Stewed Chicken Base
- •3.5 lbs Bone-in chicken parts (thighs and breasts)
- •6 cups Homemade rich chicken bone broth
- •3 ribs Celery, diced
- •3 large Carrots, peeled and sliced
- •1 large Sweet Vidalia onion, diced
- •3 cloves Fresh garlic, minced
- •1 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- •1/4 cup Unsalted butter and 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Finishing, Garnishes & Chef’s Additions
- •2 cups All-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp salt
- •1 cup Cold whole buttermilk and 4 tbsp melted butter for dumpling dough
- •1/4 cup Heavy cream for finishing stew
- •2 tbsp Fresh chives and flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
PREPARATION & METHOD
Gently poach chicken pieces in chicken broth with onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and fresh thyme for 30 minutes until cooked through. Shred meat and discard skin and bones.
In the pot, whisk melted butter and flour into the hot simmered broth, cooking for 3 minutes until smooth, glossy, and lightly thickened, then stir in heavy cream and shredded chicken.
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in cold buttermilk and melted butter with a wooden spoon just until dough clings together.
Drop tablespoonfuls of dumpling dough across the simmering stew surface. Cover tightly with a heavy lid and steam undisturbed over low heat for 15 minutes until dumplings are puffed and set.
Beverage Pairing
Oaked California Chardonnay / Sweet Iced Tea
A buttery, vanilla-toned Chardonnay or crisp Southern sweet iced tea cuts cleanly through the luscious broth and velvety dumplings.
Culinary Science Insight
Enclosed Steam Expansion & Starch Thickening
Keeping the lid tightly closed traps hot convective steam, allowing baking powder gases to expand the dumplings into airy dumplings while releasing surface starches to body the sauce.