Chicken and dumplings are a quintessential Southern food. Pillowy soft dough dumplings and tender chicken are covered in a savory and thick broth. This homemade chicken and dumplings recipe yields the most perfect old fashioned chicken and dumplings that every Southerner grew up enjoying. Grab a glass of sweet tea and take a stroll down memory lane with these Southern chicken and dumplings!
What are Chicken and Dumplings
Dumplings are a flour based dough that is boiled until cooked and tender. They are kind of like a Southern ravioli, if you will. The exception here is that they are not stuffed with anything before cooking. Some folks will pinch the dough and cook it in the shape of a ball that resembles matzah when cooked.
Other recipes, like this homemade chicken and dumplings recipe, will roll the dough out and cut into small squares before cooking. The dumplings are boiled in a savory (preferably homemade) chicken broth before adding cooked chicken. The excess dough from the dumplings will thicken the broth in to a rich and thick soup. The result is a luxurious bowl of comfort food!
Are Dumplings Hard to Make from Scratch
Dumpling dough is very easy to prepare. If you’ve made homemade biscuits before, this is similar but even easier! A basic dough is formed with flour, butter, and water. You can use a food processor to do this but I find solace in working with the best God given kitchen tools, my hands. Once the dough is formed, it gets rolled out to about 1/2″ thick on parchment paper. (This is the best rolling pin ever!) Then they will get cut into small squares or rectangles before being dropped into boiling broth! When they float to the top of the pot, you know they’re done.
What Kind of Chicken is Used in this Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Both chicken breasts and chicken thighs work well in this old fashioned chicken and dumplings recipe. Whatever you have on hand should be fine. If you need to cook your chicken first, follow this tutorial for cooking chicken in your Instant Pot! The chicken may be shredded or cubed, whichever you prefer.
What Do Southern Chicken and Dumplings Taste Like
Dumplings taste similar to noodles. In fact, we tell our young children that they are noodles so they aren’t afraid to try them. Dumplings are soft and doughy, somewhat of a cross between ravioli and an Asian dumpling. Their thickness will depend on how thin you pinch or roll your dough when cooking.
These really are the best chicken and dumplings. They’re nothing fancy but they certainly never miss the mark. If you need a taste of home, that’s what chicken and dumplings are for.
Can These Southern Chicken and Dumplings Be Made Keto
Unfortunately, no they cannot. I have been creating keto and low carb recipes for a few years now and this is just one recipe that cannot be authentically replicated. Trust me, I have tried all the ways and nothing maintains the integrity of a true dumpling. I plan to attempt it one more time with a gluten free flour that is lower carb so stay tuned!
What Do You Eat with Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
Sometimes Southern chicken and dumplings are served as a side dish, like at Cracker Barrel, but most of the time they are the main meal. I tend to serve something green with every meal I make. In this instance, I would probably toss together a salad for the adults and serve broccoli or green beans to my kids. Collard greens are also a fabulous side for your chicken and dumplings. If you have my cookbook, I have a fabulous recipe for Southern green beans in it!
Pillowy soft dough dumplings and tender chicken are covered in a savory and thick broth for the ultimate Southern comfort food. Well seasoned broth will elevate these chicken and dumplings immensely. To make your own homemade broth and cooked chicken, follow this recipe. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Southern Chicken and Dumplings (The Best!)
Ingredients
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Friday 30th of April 2021
[…] Mar 22, 2021 — Pillowy soft dough dumplings and tender chicken are covered in a savory and thick broth. This homemade chicken and dumplings recipe yields …40 min Read more… […]
debi canterbury
Wednesday 24th of March 2021
flour is not keto
Anna Hunley
Thursday 25th of March 2021
Correct, but this is not a keto recipe nor is it labeled as such.