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This cozy and comforting Chicken and Dumplings recipe is perfect for a hearty dinner, whether it’s a cold winter evening or a lazy Sunday. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken as a shortcut, this dish comes together quickly while still offering all the comforting flavors of the classic. The fluffy dumplings paired with creamy chicken soup are sure to be a family favorite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Soup:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
2 celery ribs, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken stock
1 cup whole milk
½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
3 cups shredded chicken (from a rotisserie chicken)
¼ cup finely chopped green onions (for serving)

For the Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup whole milk

Directions

Make the Soup: Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, and cook for 8 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Make a Roux: Add butter and whisk until melted. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Gradually pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are tender and the soup thickens (5-6 minutes).
Add Milk and Chicken: Stir in the milk, salt, pepper, dill, and shredded chicken, then let the soup simmer while you prepare the dumplings.
Prepare the Dumplings: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk and milk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until just combined (don’t overmix).
Cook the Dumplings: Drop tablespoon-sized dumpling dough into the simmering soup. Cover the pot and cook for 15 minutes until the dumplings have quadrupled in size and are biscuit-like in texture.
Serve: Stir the soup gently to incorporate the dumplings. Divide the soup into bowls and top with chopped green onions. Serve hot.

Nutrients

Calories: 396 per serving
Protein: 13g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 650mg
Sugars: 6g

A Shortcut Without Sacrificing Flavor

One of the standout features of this Chicken and Dumplings recipe is the use of a rotisserie chicken. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is not only convenient but also packed with flavor, adding richness to the soup base without requiring you to cook the chicken from scratch. This shortcut saves time and effort, but still allows you to enjoy a comforting, homemade dish. Simply shred the chicken and add it to the soup, and you’re ready to go!

The beauty of this recipe is that it maintains all the classic flavors you love in chicken and dumplings: a creamy, flavorful broth filled with tender vegetables and shredded chicken, all topped with fluffy dumplings that soak up the rich soup.

The Soup Base: A Creamy, Flavorful Foundation

The soup base is the heart of any good chicken and dumplings dish, and this one is no exception. It begins with a simple combination of olive oil, onion, carrot, and celery—ingredients that form the classic mirepoix base for many soups. These vegetables cook together until softened, releasing their natural sweetness and providing the perfect foundation for the soup.

Garlic is added for extra flavor, giving the soup a fragrant aroma that will have everyone eagerly waiting for dinner. The next step is making a roux, which involves cooking butter and flour together to create a thickening agent for the soup. This roux helps give the soup its creamy texture, and once you add the chicken stock and milk, it thickens up beautifully.

The soup is simmered until the vegetables are tender and the broth reaches a comforting, creamy consistency. Then, the shredded rotisserie chicken is stirred in, infusing the soup with extra richness and heartiness. Fresh dill adds a light, herbaceous touch, giving the soup a subtle, refreshing flavor that balances out the richness of the creamy broth.

The Dumplings: Soft, Fluffy, and Biscuit-like

No Chicken and Dumplings dish is complete without the dumplings, and these are the star of the show. Light, fluffy, and slightly biscuit-like, these dumplings are the perfect complement to the creamy soup. The key to perfect dumplings is to mix the dough just enough—don’t overwork it, or the dumplings will become dense. You want the dough to be thick but still slightly sticky.

To make the dumplings, simply whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Then, make a well in the center and add the buttermilk and whole milk, stirring gently to combine. Once the dough is ready, drop tablespoon-sized portions directly into the simmering soup. As the dumplings cook, they will expand and become light and fluffy, soaking up the flavorful broth.

The beauty of this recipe is that the dumplings cook directly in the soup, which allows them to absorb all the rich flavors from the broth. After just 15 minutes of cooking, the dumplings will have quadrupled in size and taken on a biscuit-like texture that is both soft and slightly firm—perfect for pairing with the creamy chicken soup.

Bringing It All Together

Once the dumplings are cooked, gently stir the soup to incorporate them into the broth. The fluffy dumplings absorb some of the soup, becoming infused with the savory flavors of the chicken and vegetables. Serve the soup hot, topped with fresh, finely chopped green onions for a burst of color and a subtle, zesty flavor that complements the rich soup.

This dish is best enjoyed fresh out of the pot, when the soup is still warm and comforting, and the dumplings are at their fluffiest. It’s the kind of meal that brings the family together around the table, offering both comfort and nourishment in every bite.

A Perfect Family Dinner

Chicken and Dumplings is the kind of meal that feels like home. It’s perfect for feeding a family, and its simplicity means that it doesn’t require a lot of preparation. Whether you’re serving it on a cold winter’s night or making it for a cozy Sunday dinner, it’s sure to please everyone. The combination of creamy soup, tender chicken, and soft, fluffy dumplings is unbeatable, and the fact that it’s made with a rotisserie chicken means it’s quick and easy to put together without compromising on flavor.

A Versatile Recipe for Any Occasion

While this dish is perfect for cold weather, Chicken and Dumplings is versatile enough to be enjoyed year-round. You can easily adapt the recipe to your preferences, adjusting the seasonings or adding different vegetables to suit your taste. You could even swap out the chicken for turkey or add in other herbs, like thyme or rosemary, for a different twist.

Additionally, you can make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. The soup and dumplings will keep well, and in fact, the flavors may even improve as they sit. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat it on the stovetop and enjoy a comforting meal with minimal effort.

Nutritional Breakdown

This hearty Chicken and Dumplings recipe is not only comforting but also provides a well-balanced meal. Each serving contains around 396 calories, with 13 grams of protein and 45 grams of carbohydrates, making it a filling option for dinner. The dumplings add a satisfying amount of fat, helping to create that rich, comforting texture without being too heavy. With fiber from the vegetables and a decent amount of sodium, this dish provides a great balance of nutrients to keep you full and satisfied.

Conclusion: A Meal That Warms the Heart

Chicken and Dumplings is more than just a meal—it’s a nostalgic, comforting dish that has the power to bring people together. Whether you’re enjoying it with family on a cold evening or making it as a quick weeknight dinner, this dish never disappoints. With its rich, creamy soup, tender chicken, and fluffy dumplings, it’s the kind of meal that makes you feel good inside. Thanks to the store-bought rotisserie chicken, this recipe comes together quickly, giving you all the homemade flavors with none of the hassle. So gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a warm, comforting bowl of Chicken and Dumplings that will have everyone coming back for more.

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