Name: Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 lbs. bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs; Salt/Pepper (to taste); 5 tablespoons butter; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 1 cup carrots, diced; 2 sticks celery, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s hot sauce); 1/3 cup flour; 4 ½ cups chicken broth; 1 chicken bouillon cube (optional); 1 ½ cups half and half; ¾ cup frozen peas; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon dried parsley; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon dried rosemary; ½ teaspoon mustard powder; ¼ teaspoon ground sage; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 2 cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour); 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 2 teaspoons sugar; ¾ cup cold sour cream

If you’re craving a cozy, soul-warming dish that tastes like it came straight from Grandma’s kitchen, you’re in the right place. I’m excited to share my Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe that has quickly become a favorite in my family. It’s the perfect blend of tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a rich, savory broth that wraps you up in pure comfort. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to make this hearty classic a guaranteed hit at your table.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comfort Food at Its Best: Every spoonful brings that warm, hearty feeling like a hug from an old friend.
Dumplings That Actually Fluff Up: I’ve perfected a dumpling mix that’s tender yet holds together beautifully in the broth.
Versatile Ingredients: The simple staples in your pantry come together to create something extraordinary.
Family Approved: My kids and in-laws go crazy for it — it’s always requested for Sunday dinners!

A white bowl filled with thick chicken and dumpling soup, showing chunks of light beige chicken, soft dumplings with a pale dough color, and bright orange carrot slices in a creamy broth speckled with green herbs and black pepper. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface next to a wooden spoon on the right and a green cloth with white dashed lines on the left. In the background, there are clear salt and pepper shakers with silver caps. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings, comforting chicken and dumplings, hearty chicken stew with dumplings, homemade chicken and dumplings recipe, soul-warming chicken and dumplings

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients have been chosen because they balance rich flavors and comforting textures perfectly. I always recommend using fresh veggies and good-quality chicken broth to boost the soulful essence of the dish.

Flat lay of bone-in skinless chicken breasts with pale pink flesh and smooth skin, a small yellow onion whole and unpeeled, three whole garlic cloves unbroken, two bright green celery stalks, a handful of fresh diced orange carrots, a small mound of vibrant green frozen peas, a small white bowl filled with golden olive oil, a small white bowl with pale yellow melted butter, a small white bowl holding off-white half and half cream, a small white bowl with fine white cake flour, a small white bowl with light brown granulated sugar, two whole brown eggs with clean uncracked shells, a small white bowl containing a mixture of dried herbs including basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and a small white bowl of chicken broth with a rich amber tone, arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings, comforting chicken and dumplings, hearty chicken stew with dumplings, homemade chicken and dumplings recipe, soul-warming chicken and dumplings

Olive oil: A light base to sauté your veggies without overpowering the flavor.
Bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs: I usually go for thighs because they stay juicier, but breasts work great too.
Salt and pepper: To season and bring out all the natural flavors at different stages.
Butter: Adds richness, helping build that deeply satisfying broth and tender dumplings.
Yellow onion: Provides a subtle sweetness that complements the savory aspects.
Carrots: Adds the perfect bite and a touch of color to your stew.
Celery: Gives a bit of an aromatic earthiness that rounds out the flavor profile.
Garlic: A must for that warm, inviting smell and flavor—it just elevates the whole dish.
Worcestershire sauce: Trust me, this little kick adds unexpected depth in the broth.
Hot sauce (like Frank’s): I like a gentle spark of heat, but you can adjust or skip based on preference.
Flour (for the roux): Essential for thickening the broth and making dumplings tender.
Chicken broth: The backbone of the stew, try to use a good-quality or homemade version for best results.
Chicken bouillon cube (optional): For times when you want to give an extra punch of flavor.
Half and half: Brings creaminess without weighing down the dish.
Frozen peas: Adds pops of freshness and a nice green touch.
Onion powder: A flavor booster to complement fresh onion.
Dried basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, mustard powder, sage: This herb blend is my favorite secret to that quintessential homestyle taste.
Ground pepper: For gentle heat and rounding flavors.
Flour (for dumplings): Cake flour if you want ultra tender dumplings, but all-purpose works too.
Baking powder and baking soda: These leaveners make your dumplings light and fluffy.
Salt, garlic powder, sugar: Small tweaks that brighten and season the dough perfectly.
Sour cream: I swear by sour cream to make dumplings super moist and tender.
Milk: To bind everything nicely without making the dough tough.
Melted butter: Added last to keep dumplings rich and irresistible.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Once you get comfortable with this classic, feel free to tweak it! I love sharing ways I’ve made this recipe my own or adapted it for different tastes and occasions.

Vegetable Boost: Sometimes I sneak in chopped mushrooms or green beans, which add nice texture without messing up the classic feel.
Spicy Twist: Adding a dash more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne really wakes up the flavors, which my hubby loves.
Gluten-Free Option: For friends with dietary restrictions, I’ve had success swapping in gluten-free flour blends for the dumplings.
Shortcut Version: Using refrigerated biscuit dough instead of homemade dumplings when I’m short on time, and it still tastes fantastic.

How to Make Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Step 1: Sear the Chicken and Build Flavor

Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season your chicken well with salt and pepper, then add it to the pot. You want to get a nice golden crust on both sides—this locks in juices and layers in flavor. Once seared, remove the chicken and set it aside. This step might take a few minutes per side, but trust me, it’s worth it for that rich taste.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pot, melt the butter and toss in diced onion, carrots, and celery. Stir occasionally as they soften—around 5-7 minutes. When those veggies start smelling amazing and getting some color, add your minced garlic, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Let it cook for another minute to let all those flavors marry perfectly.

Step 3: Make the Roux and Add Broth

Sprinkle in the flour and cook it, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes so it loses that raw taste. Slowly pour in your chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps. Toss in your bouillon cube if you’re using one, half and half, and the full herb blend. Stir well and bring it to a gentle simmer. Now’s the time to nestle in the chicken back into the pot, cover it, and let it cook until the chicken is just tender—about 20 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare and Cook the Dumplings

Meanwhile, mix your dry ingredients for the dumplings in a bowl. Stir in the cold sour cream, cold milk, and melted butter just until combined. You don’t want to overmix—keep it light and fluffy. Drop spoonfuls of this dough into the simmering pot. Cover and let the dumplings steam for about 12-15 minutes without peeking too much (I know it’s tempting) so they rise beautifully and cook through.

Step 5: Finish with Peas and Seasoning

Once dumplings are fluffy and cooked, stir in the frozen peas and adjust seasoning to taste. The peas add just the right touch of sweetness and freshness. Let the peas warm through in the residual heat—just a couple of minutes. Then you’re ready to dive in!

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Pro Tips for Making Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Don’t Skip Searing: The golden crust on your chicken adds depth and richness you won’t get otherwise.
Cold Ingredients for Dumplings: Using cold sour cream and milk keeps your dumplings light and prevents them from getting tough.
Simmer, Don’t Boil: Gentle simmering prevents your dumplings from falling apart or the chicken from drying out.
Avoid Overmixing Dumplings: Stir just until combined—overworking dough can lead to dense dumplings.

How to Serve Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

A close-up view of a white pot filled with a creamy stew, showing many light beige dumplings floating on top. Below the dumplings, small pieces of orange carrot, light green celery, and shredded light beige chicken are visible in the thick, pale sauce. Tiny green herb flecks are sprinkled across the dumplings and stew. A silver ladle is partially submerged in the pot, with a blue spoon inside the pot scooping some stew. The pot is placed on a white marbled surface with a green cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings, comforting chicken and dumplings, hearty chicken stew with dumplings, homemade chicken and dumplings recipe, soul-warming chicken and dumplings

Garnishes

I always sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top — it brightens the dish visually and adds a little fresh herbaceous note that balances the rich flavors. If you like a bit of tang, a small drizzle of fresh lemon juice right before serving can be magical.

Side Dishes

This dish is so filling on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, I recommend a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or some roasted Brussels sprouts. For an indulgent touch, warm, buttered biscuits or crusty bread are perfect for soaking up the extra broth.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try serving this in individual rustic bowls garnished with a swirl of crème fraîche and a sprinkle of paprika. You can also top with crispy fried onions for an added crunch and flavor boost. It turns a humble dish into something a bit fancy without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually transfer leftovers to airtight containers and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. It keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just remember the dumplings will absorb some broth, so the texture might change slightly, but the flavors stay incredible.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked chicken and broth separately from the dumplings if possible. Dumplings tend to get a bit mushy when frozen. I prefer making fresh dumplings when reheating after freezing, but if pressed for time, freezing everything works in a pinch.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid high heat or microwaving on high, as that can toughen the chicken and make dumplings rubbery. Adding a splash of broth or water helps loosen everything back up.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for the Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually my go-to because they stay juicier and more flavorful during cooking. If you prefer breasts, just be careful not to overcook them, so they don’t dry out.
Is there a shortcut for the dumplings in this recipe?

Yes! If you’re short on time, using refrigerated biscuit dough instead of making dumplings from scratch works well and still tastes delicious. Just cut the biscuits into quarters and drop them into the simmering broth.
Can I make Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe dairy-free?

For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use coconut milk or another dairy-free milk instead of half and half and sour cream. The texture might vary slightly but still tasty and comforting.
How do I know when the dumplings are cooked?

Dumplings are done when they’re puffed up, fluffy, and no longer doughy inside. Usually about 12-15 minutes of gentle simmering, but avoid lifting the lid too much as that lets the steam escape.
Can I freeze leftover Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings?

You can! I suggest freezing the broth and chicken separately from the dumplings for best texture. Dumplings can get a bit mushy after freezing and thawing. Reheat gently on the stove for best results.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings Recipe brings people together around the dinner table. When I first tried making it myself, I was amazed at how such simple ingredients can create something so rich and satisfying. Now, it’s my go-to comfort meal, especially on chilly evenings when you just want to feel cozy and nurtured. I really hope you give it a try—you’ll find that making this from scratch is easier than you thought, and once you taste it, you’ll want to make it again and again.