Chicken and Dumplings
There’s nothing quite like a big bowl of chicken and dumplings — warm, hearty, and full of love in every bite. This dish is the definition of Southern comfort food, where tender chicken simmers in a rich, creamy broth and fluffy cheddar chive dumplings soak up every bit of that savory goodness. It’s the kind of meal that instantly makes you feel at home, no matter where you are. The secret? Using Cream of Chicken soup for extra richness and adding mild cheddar and fresh chives to the dumplings for flavor that’s buttery, cheesy, and perfectly balanced.
If you love comfort food as much as I do, then you’ll definitely want to check out my Seafood Dressing or Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole next!
Chicken and Dumplings is the quintessential comfort food. So, if you’ve been searching for a dish with rich, southern flavors, then look no further.
Really love my recipes? You will enjoy this Creole Crawfish Boudin Balls and my Easy Jambalaya Recipe !
What Is chicken and dumplings?
Chicken and dumplings is a traditional Southern dish that starts with chicken simmered in a flavorful broth — often thickened with cream or roux — and finished with tender dumplings cooked right in the pot. Depending on where you’re from, dumplings can be flat noodle-style or soft, biscuit-style like in this recipe.
My version features light, fluffy drop dumplings made from scratch — but with a twist. The cheddar and chives in the dough add a rich, cheesy bite and a pop of freshness that perfectly balances the creamy broth and tender chicken.
You will LOVE Chicken and Dumplings
Cheddar Chive Dumplings: A flavorful twist that adds cheesy depth and a touch of brightness.
Tender, Juicy Chicken: Cooking the chicken 70% of the way first ensures it stays moist and flavorful.
Creamy, Flavor-Packed Broth: Thanks to Campbell’s Cream of Chicken, the broth gets an instant boost of richness.
Made in One Pot: Easy cleanup and maximum flavor since everything cooks together.
Classic Southern Comfort: The aroma alone will bring your whole household to the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
First, and most importantly, to create this delectable Chicken and dumplings recipe, gather the following ingredients:
- Olive Oil + Butter: Create a flavorful base for sautéing the veggies.
- Onion, Celery & Carrots: The “holy trinity” of flavor that adds depth and sweetness.
- Garlic: Enhances the savory, homestyle aroma.
- Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Juicy, tender protein that soaks up all the flavor.
- Chicken Broth: The foundation of the soup.
- Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup: Makes the broth creamy and velvety with no need for a roux.
- Bay Leaf & Thyme: Add herbal warmth and classic Southern depth.
- Bayou City Seasonings Salt, Pepper, & Garlic Powder: Essential seasoning to balance every bite.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for tender dumplings.
- Baking Powder: Helps the dumplings puff up beautifully.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Flavor boosters for the dough.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melty richness that makes these dumplings stand out.
- Fresh Chives: Adds mild onion flavor and vibrant color.
- Buttermilk Milk: Keeps the dumplings light and fluffy.
- Melted Butter: Adds richness and tender texture to the dough.
How to Make Chicken and Dumplings
- Cook the Chicken: Heat butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear both sides until golden — about 70% cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Build the Broth In the same pot, add onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened, then stir in garlic. Add in your flour and let cook for a few minutes. Pour in chicken broth and add Campbell’s Cream of Chicken soup, stirring until smooth. Return the chicken to the pot and add thyme and rosemary. Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking and flavors to meld.
- Make the Dumpling Dough In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add milk and melted butter, stirring until just combined — don’t over-mix! Fold in cheddar cheese and chives.
- Add the Dumplings Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop dumplings gently on top of the simmering broth. Cover the pot and simmer for 15 minutes — no peeking! The trapped steam cooks them through and keeps them fluffy.
- Serve and Enjoy Once dumplings are puffed and cooked through, taste the broth and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with extra chives or shredded cheese on top.
Best sides to serve with Chicken and dumplings
to complete your dinner, consider pairing it with these four delectable sides:
- Collard Greens — Tender greens cooked with onion, garlic, and a little hot sauce or vinegar for balance.
- Southern Cornbread Recipe: A Southern staple that complements the flavors and adds a delightful contrast.
- Fried Cabbage: Classic and easy, adding color and texture to your meal.
Recipe Tips for the Best Chicken and Dumplings:
Don’t overmix the dough: Stir just until combined to keep the dumplings tender.
Keep the lid on: Steam is what cooks the dumplings — resist lifting the lid early.
Use fresh herbs: Chives or a little fresh thyme elevate the flavor beautifully.
Add veggies: Peas or corn can add sweetness and color to the dish.
Make it ahead: The flavors develop even more after resting overnight.
FAQ:
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely. Shred it and add it in after the broth simmers, just before adding dumplings.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dumplings will soften, but the flavor gets even better.
Can I freeze chicken and dumplings?
Yes! Cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently on the stove.
I hope you enjoy this southern comforting, easy chicken and dumplings recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook when you make this recipe! I want to see your creation and give you a shoutout!
Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large Dutch oven, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add seasoned chicken thighs into the pan and cook for and 3 minutes on each side. Remove from pot and set aside to cool before chopping or shredding (they will finish cooking in the broth)
- Add diced onion, celery, and carrots; cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, bayou city seasonings, poultry seasoning, rosemary, and thyme; cook 1 minute.
- if you want a thicker consistency, this is where you add in your flour. let this cook down for about 4 minutes
- now add in your cream of chicken soup and mix until well incorporated.
- slowly pour in your chicken broth while stirring and bring to a simmer. keep broth on a low uncovered simmer. (I typically only need 4 cups, but depending on the consistency you may want to add more later.)
- add chicken pieces back to the pot
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- add melted butter and buttermilk, stirring just until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms (don’t overmix).
- fold in cheddar cheese and chives.
- Set aside while you finish the broth.
- whisk heavy cream into the simmering broth until fully incorporated.
- Bring mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Drop spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons each) of dumpling dough directly into the simmering broth.
- Cover the pot with a lid and simmer gently for 15 minutes — do not lift the lid during this time. The steam will help cook the dumplings and keep them fluffy.
- After 15 minutes, uncover and gently stir.
- Simmer uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through, dumplings are fluffy, and the broth has thickened slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Fluffy Dumpling Tip: Keep the pot covered while the dumplings cook — lifting the lid releases steam and can make them dense.
- Cheese & Chive Flavor: Freshly shredded cheddar melts smoother than pre-shredded. Add more chives for a brighter, herbier flavor.
- Creamy Base: The Campbell’s soup adds body and depth — for extra richness, stir in another splash of cream before serving.
- Make It Ahead: Cook the broth and chicken earlier in the day, then make the dumplings fresh when ready to serve.
- Optional Garnish: A sprinkle of smoked paprika or crispy bacon bits adds a delicious finishing touch.
Made this for my husband. It was easier than I expected and he loved it. I’m a vegetarian from the Pacific Northwest. I married a Texan and have no idea how to make the stuff he grew up with. I’m not opposed to trying, I just don’t know where to begin and there have been a lot of bombs. I’ve never successfully made chicken and dumplings before. The videos pictures and instructions are so helpful. He said it turned out great! Says it tastes like home. Thanks for posting this.
This means so much to me! Thank you for trusting me