Description
Creamy Chicken Stew and Dumplings is a comforting and hearty meal featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with fresh vegetables in a rich, creamy broth, topped with soft, fluffy dumplings. Perfect for any season, this easy-to-make stew offers a balanced blend of protein, veggies, and satisfying dumplings that warm the soul and please the palate.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 lbs Chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 2 medium Carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
Liquids
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream or milk
Dry Ingredients
- 1/3 cup All-purpose flour (for thickening and dumplings)
- 1 tablespoon Baking powder (for dumplings)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (plus more to taste)
Fats
- 3 tablespoons Butter
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Chop the carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in butter over medium heat until translucent and fragrant. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden on the outside, locking in moisture and flavor.
- Build the Stew Base: Sprinkle flour evenly over the chicken and vegetables, stirring well to coat. Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add chopped carrots and celery, then simmer gently over medium heat until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Mix the Dumpling Dough: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cold butter. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk until a soft dough forms—should not be sticky but holds together when pinched.
- Add Cream and Simmer: Pour heavy cream or milk into the stew base. Let the stew simmer for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Drop Dumplings into the Stew: Using a spoon, gently drop pieces of the dumpling dough onto the simmering stew’s surface. Cover tightly, and cook for 12–15 minutes without lifting the lid, allowing dumplings to steam and puff up into fluffy pillows.
- Finish and Garnish: Once dumplings are cooked, sprinkle fresh parsley or thyme over the stew. Serve hot for a warm and comforting meal.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the pan when sautéing chicken to ensure even browning and prevent steaming.
- Use cold butter in dumplings to create steam pockets that make them light and fluffy.
- Keep the lid on while cooking dumplings to trap steam and allow proper rising.
- Adjust stew consistency by adding extra broth or cream if too thick; simmer longer to thicken as desired.
- Add fresh herbs just before serving to preserve their vibrant flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg