Welcome to the comforting embrace of a true Southern classic: Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings. This cherished recipe brings together tender, succulent chicken pieces with delicate, flat strips of dough, all simmered in a rich, flavorful broth. It’s a dish that embodies warmth, tradition, and the simple pleasures of home cooking. Perfect for a chilly evening or any time you need a culinary hug, this meal is not just food; it’s a memory in the making.
Embracing the Heartwarming Charm of Southern Chicken and Dumplings
There’s a reason why Chicken and Dumplings holds such a special place in Southern cuisine—it’s the quintessential comfort food. Each spoonful transports you to a simpler time, evoking feelings of nostalgia and coziness. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a culinary tradition passed down through generations, promising to warm both body and soul on even the coldest winter’s day. While this classic method offers the deepest flavors, for those seeking a quicker path to comfort, you might also enjoy a more convenient version, like our Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings. But for an authentic, time-honored experience, stick with this traditional approach.
“The perfect recipe and just like I remember growing up. Thank you!
– Denise”
Frequently Asked Questions About Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
Absolutely! The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. Feel free to use whatever cut of chicken you and your family prefer. Chicken thighs will lend a richer flavor to the broth and remain incredibly moist. For an even faster meal preparation, you can purchase a store-bought rotisserie chicken, shred it, and add it directly to the warmed broth.
This hearty dish is quite fulfilling on its own, but a simple accompaniment can elevate the experience. Personally, I love to serve it with some fresh, crusty French Bread or fluffy Biscuits, perfect for soaking up every last drop of that savory broth. If you’re looking to add more vegetables to your meal, a crisp side salad or perfectly cooked Green Beans make excellent choices, offering a refreshing contrast to the richness of the main course.
For those unfamiliar with this style of Chicken and Dumplings, you might be used to the puffier “drop” dumplings, often found in places like Cracker Barrel. Flat dumplings, on the other hand, are simpler, rolled-out pieces of dough that become wonderfully tender as they simmer in the broth. Their primary purpose is to absorb all the delicious flavors of the chicken broth, creating a soft, chewy texture that is profoundly comforting and characteristic of traditional Southern homestyle cooking.
While this particular old-fashioned version of chicken and dumplings traditionally focuses on the chicken and dumplings themselves, with a clear, rich broth, you are absolutely welcome to customize it! If you prefer a more vegetable-rich meal, feel free to toss in some peas, carrots, celery, or even corn during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. These additions will not only add color but also extra nutrients and flavor to your dish.
Using a rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that significantly reduces prep time without sacrificing flavor. Instead of baking chicken breasts from scratch, simply pick up a flavorful store-bought rotisserie chicken, shred the meat, and add it directly to your simmering broth. This simple substitution makes weeknight chicken and dumplings a breeze!
Absolutely! Boiling the chicken is another classic method and works perfectly for this recipe. You can boil the chicken directly in the chicken broth, infusing the broth with even more chicken flavor. For a truly authentic, old-school approach, you could even boil a whole chicken in water to create your own rich, homemade broth from scratch. For detailed instructions on how to make the best homemade chicken broth, refer to my guide on Homemade Chicken Broth.
Chicken and Dumplings are undeniably best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made. The dumplings continue to soak up the broth over time, which can lead to them becoming softer and sometimes a bit gummy if stored for too long. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When reheating, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of extra chicken broth or water if the consistency is too thick. Avoid high heat to prevent the dumplings from breaking apart.
Essential Ingredients for Our Classic Chicken and Dumplings
Crafting the perfect batch of Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings starts with a selection of simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the deep, comforting flavors that make this dish so beloved. Below is what you’ll need (with full measurements in the detailed recipe card at the bottom):
- Chicken Breasts: We recommend 2-3 chicken breasts for tender, shredded chicken. You have options here—bone-in or boneless will work, and chicken thighs are a fantastic alternative if you prefer dark meat for extra flavor and moisture.
- Chicken Broth: The foundation of our flavorful broth. For those mindful of sodium intake, opt for low or no-sodium varieties. For an unparalleled depth of flavor that truly sets this dish apart, consider making your own Homemade Chicken Broth. It makes a significant difference!
- All-Purpose Flour: This is key for our dumplings and also helps thicken the broth. While any brand works, many Southern cooks swear by White Lily flour for its fine texture, which creates incredibly tender dumplings.
- Baking Powder: Essential for giving our flat dumplings a slight lift and tender texture. It is vital to ensure your baking powder is fresh; expired baking powder will result in dense, heavy dumplings that don’t puff up as they should.
- Salted Butter: Real butter is non-negotiable here. Its rich flavor contributes significantly to the deliciousness of the dumplings. Ensure it’s cold and cubed for the best dough consistency. Margarine simply won’t yield the same results.
- Milk: Whole milk is highly recommended for its richness, which adds to the tenderness and flavor of the dumplings. If whole milk isn’t available, any milk will work, but the richness might be slightly less pronounced.
- Olive Oil (or Avocado Oil): For seasoning and baking the chicken breasts.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the chicken and adjust the overall flavor of your dish to perfection.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
Follow these detailed instructions to create a truly memorable pot of Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings. Precision and a little love go a long way in bringing this classic dish to life.
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Chicken
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a baking sheet with a nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place your 2-3 chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil (or avocado oil) over the chicken, then generously season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Step 2: Shred the Chicken and Prepare the Broth
Once your chicken is cooked through, carefully remove it from the oven. Allow it to cool slightly before shredding. You can easily shred the chicken using two forks, pulling the meat apart until it’s in bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, for a truly effortless shred, place the cooked chicken breasts into a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed for a minute or two until perfectly shredded. While the chicken cools, pour 2 quarts of quality chicken stock or broth into a large, heavy-bottomed pot and place it on your stovetop over medium heat to begin warming up.
Step 3: Begin the Dumpling Dough
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour with ½ teaspoon of fresh baking powder. Give these dry ingredients a quick whisk to ensure they are well combined. Next, add 2 tablespoons of cold, cubed salted butter to the flour mixture. It’s crucial that the butter is cold, as this helps create pockets of steam during cooking, leading to tender, flaky dumplings.
Step 4: Incorporate the Butter into the Flour
Now, it’s time to work the cold butter into the flour mixture. You can use a fork, a pastry cutter, or even your fingertips for this step. The goal is to “smoosh” the butter between your fingers or cut it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Avoid overmixing; a slightly shaggy dough is desirable for tender dumplings.
Step 5: Form the Dough and Roll It Out
Pour 1 cup of milk into the flour and butter mixture. Mix gently until just combined and a soft dough forms. Avoid kneading excessively, as this can develop the gluten too much and result in tough dumplings. Lightly dust your clean kitchen counter or a large cutting board with a generous amount of all-purpose flour. Transfer the dumpling dough to the floured surface and dust the top of the dough with more flour.
Step 6: Cut the Dumplings
Using a rolling pin, carefully roll the dough out to an even thickness of about ¼ inch. Make sure to add more flour underneath the dough and on your rolling pin as needed to prevent sticking. The goal is a consistently thin sheet of dough. Once rolled, use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into rustic squares or strips. Don’t worry about perfection; homemade chicken and dumplings are meant to look charmingly rustic. Dust the cut dumplings with a bit more flour; this extra flour serves a dual purpose: it prevents them from sticking together and will help thicken your chicken broth as they cook.
Step 7: Cook the Chicken and Dumplings
Bring the chicken broth in your large pot to a rolling boil. Once boiling, stir in the shredded chicken. Then, carefully begin adding the cut dumplings to the pot, one at a time. This method prevents them from clumping together. Stir frequently as you add them to ensure even cooking and to distribute them throughout the broth.
Step 8: Simmer and Serve
Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow the dumplings to cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, you’ll notice the broth beginning to thicken beautifully, thanks to the residual flour on the dumplings. The dumplings will also start to absorb the broth and may sink slightly to the bottom. To check for doneness, carefully remove one dumpling and taste it. It should be tender and no longer have a raw or doughy taste. Once cooked, your Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings are ready to be served hot. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy this ultimate Southern comfort food!
Craving More Comforting Recipes?
If you’ve enjoyed this taste of Southern comfort, you’ll love exploring these other delightful recipes that bring warmth and flavor to your table:
- Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumpling Soup
- Chicken & Dumplings Casserole
- Ground Beef and Dumplings
- The Best Southern Fried Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings
- Crock Pot Beef Dumplings
- Crock Pot Chicken & Cheese Dumplings
- White Chicken Chili with Cornbread Dumplings
Originally published: April 2012
Updated photos and republished: May 2025
Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
A heartwarming, super simple recipe featuring tender chicken and flat, chewy dumplings simmered in a savory, rich broth. Pure Southern comfort!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 2-3 chicken breasts (about 3 cups of cooked chicken)
- 2 Tablespoons oil (avocado or olive oil)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 quarts chicken broth
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 Tablespoons cold salted butter, cubed
- 1 cup milk
- Additional all-purpose flour (for counter and rolling dumplings)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place chicken breasts on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 Tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake chicken for about 45 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached. Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks.
- Pour 2 quarts chicken broth into a large pot and begin warming it on the stovetop.
- In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Add 2 Tablespoons cold salted butter, cubed.
- Combine the mixture using your fingers, a fork, or a pastry cutter until the butter resembles tiny pebbles.
- Pour in 1 cup milk and mix until just combined into a soft dough.
- Dust your counter generously with all-purpose flour. Place the dumpling dough on the counter and dust it with more flour.
- With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thickness, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into squares for your dumplings.
- Dust the cut dumplings with a bit more flour. This helps prevent sticking and thickens the broth.
- Bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the shredded chicken and stir.
- Begin adding dumplings one at a time, stirring frequently to prevent them from sticking together.
- Allow dumplings to cook for about 15-20 minutes over a simmer. The broth will thicken, and dumplings will absorb liquid.
- Taste test a dumpling to ensure it is cooked through and no longer has a doughy taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
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Notes
- Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and ingredient list above for additional tips and common substitutions.
- While this traditional recipe typically does not include added vegetables, feel free to incorporate some peas and carrots if you desire a more colorful and veggie-packed dish.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Nutrition
(Estimated nutritional values per serving)
Calories: 348 kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 14g | Sodium: 1246mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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