Description
This comforting Easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe combines tender cooked chicken in a creamy broth with homemade dumplings made from self-rising flour and shortening. Simmered together, this classic dish offers flaky, soft dumplings and a flavorful chicken stew perfect for cozy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 4 cups cooked chicken or turkey, chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans chicken broth
- 3 cans water (use empty soup can to measure)
Dumplings
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- ¼ cup shortening
- ¾ cup boiling water (add gradually as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the broth: Place the chopped chicken, celery, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and water into a large soup pot. Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover and reduce the heat, allowing it to simmer while you prepare the dumplings.
- Make the dumpling dough: In a large mixing bowl, add the self-rising flour. Cut in the shortening using a fork or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add boiling water to form dough: Gradually pour in the boiling water—start with about half a cup and add more as needed—just until the dough forms into a ball.
- Roll and cut dumplings: Dust a clean surface with flour, roll the dough out to about â…›-inch thickness, and cut it into strips and squares.
- Add dumplings to broth: Remove the lid from the pot of boiling broth. Add the dumpling squares one at a time, quickly covering the pot each time to keep the temperature steady. Let them cook for about 30 seconds between each addition.
- Simmer dumplings: Once all the dumplings are added, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional drop dumplings method: If you prefer soft, fluffy drop dumplings, skip rolling the dough. Simply pinch off small, uniform pieces and drop them directly into the boiling broth. Simmer as directed until cooked through.
- Serve: Ladle the hearty chicken and dumplings into bowls and enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken or turkey for convenience and flavor.
- Self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, so adjust seasoning accordingly.
- If you want lighter dumplings, try the drop dumpling method described in step 7.
- Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent dumplings from sticking to the pot bottom.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper at the end of cooking.
