Chef John’s Chicken and Dumplings (Classic American Comfort Food)

If there’s one dish that defines cozy, nostalgic comfort food, it’s chicken and dumplings — and Chef John’s Chicken and Dumplings might just be one of the best versions you’ll ever make at home.

This recipe is deeply American, rustic, and soul-warming, featuring tender shredded chicken simmered in a flavorful broth, topped with soft, fluffy dumplings that steam gently right on the surface of the soup. It’s the kind of meal that makes cold days better and bad days disappear.

What makes Chef John’s version special is its flexibility. Once you learn this dumpling method, you can use it on almost any soup or stew, thick or thin.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultimate comfort food classic
• Whole chicken = richer, deeper flavor
• Light, fluffy dumplings (never dense)
• Dumpling batter works with many soups
• Chef-tested, foolproof technique

What Makes These Dumplings Special?

Unlike rolled or cut dumplings, these are drop dumplings. They’re spooned directly onto simmering soup, then gently steamed, not boiled. This gives them a pillowy texture — soft inside, slightly firm outside.

Chef John emphasizes an important rule:

If you can simmer it, you can cook dumplings on it.

Thinner broths steam dumplings more easily, while thicker stews work best once you’re comfortable with the technique.

Thick vs. Soupy Chicken and Dumplings

• Soupy version (recommended for beginners):
  Light broth, fluffy dumplings, classic texture
• Thicker stew version:
  Add a simple roux (butter + flour) before returning chicken

Both are delicious — just different styles.

Ingredient Swaps & Variations

• Crème fraîche → buttermilk or cream
• Thyme → rosemary or parsley
• Whole chicken → rotisserie chicken (shortcut)
• Self-rising flour → DIY mix (see Chef’s note below)

This recipe is forgiving, flexible, and perfect for experimenting.

Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings

• Don’t overmix the dumpling batter
• Keep soup at a gentle simmer, not a boil
• Always cover the pot while dumplings cook
• Use a toothpick to test doneness
• Let dumplings steam fully before serving

Chef John’s Chicken and Dumplings

A classic American chicken and dumplings recipe with tender chicken, savory broth, and fluffy drop dumplings steamed right on top. Ultimate comfort food.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Soul Food, Southern

Calories: 750

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Soup:
• 1 whole chicken 3 to 3½ pounds
• 2½ quarts cold water
• 1 large carrot cubed
• 1 stalk celery chopped
• 1 onion chopped
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or as needed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
• For the Dumplings:
• ½ cup crème fraîche
• ½ cup milk
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• For Garnish:
• Fresh thyme sprigs

Method

 

1. Place chicken in a Dutch oven. Add water, carrot, celery, onion, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf.
2. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.
3. Remove chicken and let cool.
4. Bring broth back to a simmer and skim off fat; reserve fat.
5. Mix 2–3 tablespoons reserved fat with flour to form a paste. Stir into broth and simmer 15 minutes.
6. Remove chicken meat from bones, shred, and return to pot.
7. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Simmer 10–15 minutes.
8. In a bowl, whisk crème fraîche, milk, thyme leaves, and eggs.
9. Gently stir in self-rising flour (do not overmix).
10. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter onto simmering soup.
11. Cover and simmer until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through, 10–15 minutes.
12. Garnish with thyme and serve hot.

Notes

If you don’t have self-rising flour, make your own by mixing:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon fine salt

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 750
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugars: 6 g
• Protein: 44 g
• Cholesterol: 217 mg
• Sodium: 1012 mg
• Calcium: 320 mg
• Iron: 6 mg
• Potassium: 553 mg
• Vitamin C: 8 mg