Chicken and Herb Dumplings Stew Recipe

Cozy Chicken and Herb Dumplings Stew Recipe for Fall

Warm, hearty chicken and herb dumplings stew beckons with its irresistible comfort and soul-soothing magic.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish that refines simple ingredients into a magnificent meal.

Tender chicken pieces nestle alongside fluffy, herb-infused dumplings in a rich, velvety broth that whispers memories of family gatherings.

Robust herbs and carefully layered seasonings elevate this stew from ordinary to extraordinary, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Homemade dumplings represent culinary craftsmanship at its finest, promising a delightful texture that contrasts beautifully with the succulent chicken.

Each spoonful promises a journey through hearty, rustic cuisine that warms you from the inside out.

Seasonal ingredients and patient simmering refine basic components into a magnificent, deeply satisfying dining experience.

Discover the Warmth of Chicken and Herb Dumpling Stew

  • Savor Homemade Comfort: This stew delivers pure, warm comfort with its rich chicken base and fluffy herb-infused dumplings that hug your taste buds like a cozy blanket.
  • Quick and Easy Family Feast: Perfectly designed for busy home cooks, this one-pot wonder takes less than an hour to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight dinners that satisfy everyone from kids to adults.
  • Texture Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between the tender, succulent shredded chicken, silky smooth stew, and pillowy soft dumplings that create an irresistible eating experience with every spoonful.
  • Nutrient-Packed Wholesome Meal: Loaded with vegetables, lean protein, and herbs, this stew offers a balanced, nutritious dinner that feels indulgent yet supports healthy eating without compromising on flavor.

Must Have Ingredients for Cozy Dumpling Comfort

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich, flavorful fat that adds depth and helps create a smooth, creamy base for the stew.
  • Yellow Onion: Aromatic foundation that provides a sweet, savory base for the dish.
  • Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color to the stew.
  • Celery: Provides a subtle herbal note and classic stew vegetable texture.
  • Garlic: Pungent ingredient that enhances overall flavor profile.
Liquid and Thickening Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Essential for thickening the stew and creating a smooth, rich texture.
  • Evaporated Milk, Chicken Stock: Combination creates a creamy, flavorful liquid base for the stew.
  • Shredded Cooked Chicken: Protein-rich main component that makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
Seasoning and Herb Ingredients:
  • Thyme, Black Pepper, Salt: Classic herb and spice combination that brings warmth and depth to the stew.
Dumpling Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Key components for creating light, fluffy dumplings.
  • Thyme: Herb that adds aromatic flavor to the dumpling dough.
Dumpling Wet Ingredients:
  • Whole Milk, Butter: Provide moisture and richness to create tender, soft dumplings.

Simmering Chicken and Herbs to Perfection in Your Stew

Step 1: Create Flavor Foundation

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Melt butter and sauté chopped onions, carrots, and celery until they become tender and fragrant. Toss in minced garlic and cook for another minute, releasing its aromatic essence.

Step 2: Build the Stew Base

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir thoroughly. Pour in evaporated milk and chicken stock gradually, whisking constantly to prevent any lumpy surprises. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 3: Add Protein and Seasonings

Fold in shredded chicken, fresh thyme, black pepper, and salt. Let the stew simmer softly, developing deep, rich flavors while you prepare the dumplings.

Step 4: Mix Dumpling Magic

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, seasonings, and herbs. Create a small well in the center and pour in milk and melted butter. Stir until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.

Step 5: Drop and Nestle Dumplings

Using a cookie scoop, gently drop dumpling rounds into the simmering stew. Space them evenly and lightly press so they’re partially submerged in the liquid.

Step 6: Steam and Simmer

Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Let dumplings steam for 15 minutes. Check for doneness- they should be puffy and cooked through. If needed, cook an additional 3-4 minutes.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming stew into deep bowls, ensuring each serving gets tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings. This dish promises pure comfort in every spoonful.

Home Chef Secrets for Fluffy Flavorful Dumplings

  • Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select high-quality, fresh chicken and crisp vegetables to elevate the stew's overall flavor and texture.
  • Master Dumpling Consistency: Mix dumpling dough gently and avoid overmixing to ensure light, fluffy dumplings that melt in your mouth.
  • Control Stew Thickness: Adjust the stew's consistency by adding more stock if it becomes too thick during simmering, maintaining a perfect creamy texture.
  • Space Dumplings Carefully: Drop dough balls with enough room between them, allowing each dumpling to cook evenly and prevent sticking.
  • Let Stew Rest Briefly: Allow the dish to sit for 5-10 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and dumplings settle, enhancing the overall taste profile.

How to Preserve Your Stew Freshness and Warmth

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the stew and dumplings together. Refrigerated portions will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

Freezing: Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Dumplings might become slightly softer upon thawing.

Reheating: Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock to restore moisture and prevent stew from drying out. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating.

Best Beverages and Breads to Serve with Your Stew

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Grab a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the creamy stew's richness and cut through its hearty texture. The wine's subtle acidity will brighten each spoonful and enhance the herb-infused chicken flavors.
  • Rustic Bread Companion: Serve alongside a crusty sourdough or artisan bread to soak up the delicious stew broth. Warm, slightly toasted slices will provide a perfect crunchy contrast to the tender chicken and soft dumplings.
  • Fresh Herb Salad Sidekick: Create a light mixed green salad with fresh parsley, dill, and a lemon vinaigrette. The bright, zesty salad will balance the stew's comforting warmth and add a refreshing element to the meal.
  • Craft Beer Match: Choose a medium-bodied amber ale or farmhouse-style saison to complement the stew's robust flavors. The beer's malty undertones will harmonize beautifully with the chicken and herbal dumpling notes.

Add a Twist to Tradition with These Stew Variations

  • Spicy Southwest Chicken Dumpling Brew: Kick up the heat by adding diced green chiles, jalapeños, and a sprinkle of chili powder to the stew. Replace thyme with cilantro and incorporate cumin for a zesty southwestern flavor profile that brings excitement to the classic recipe.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Dumpling Pot: Transform the dish with oregano, rosemary, and a handful of crumbled feta cheese. Swap carrots for roasted red peppers and add a touch of lemon zest to the dumplings for a bright, Mediterranean-inspired meal that transports your taste buds.
  • Rustic Mushroom Chicken Dumpling Stew: Enhance the recipe by sautéing wild mushrooms like shiitake and cremini alongside the vegetables. Introduce a splash of white wine during cooking and incorporate dried porcini powder into the dumpling mixture for an earthy, rich depth of flavor that celebrates woodland ingredients.
  • Creamy Herb-Infused Chicken Dumpling Soup: Blend in fresh herbs like parsley, chives, and dill directly into the dumpling dough. Use half-and-half instead of evaporated milk for an extra creamy texture, and garnish with additional fresh herbs to create a luxurious, garden-fresh version.
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Chicken and Herb Dumplings Stew Recipe

Chicken and Herb Dumplings Stew Recipe


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4.6 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty chicken and herb dumplings stew whisks comfort from classic American kitchens to your dining table. Savory chicken simmers with aromatic herbs, creating a warm embrace of rustic flavors you’ll long to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 cups shredded cooked chicken

Vegetables:

  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup matchstick carrots
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 32 ounces (1 quart) chicken stock
  • 12 ounces (1 can) evaporated milk
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Dumpling Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Dumpling Wet Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup (6 ounces) whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Heat a robust Dutch oven and melt butter, creating a golden base for the aromatic foundation of the stew.
  2. Introduce chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the melted butter, allowing them to soften and release their vibrant flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
  3. Incorporate minced garlic and sauté briefly, awakening its pungent essence and enhancing the vegetable medley.
  4. Dust the vegetable mixture with flour, stirring meticulously to coat and create a smooth thickening agent for the stew.
  5. Gradually stream in evaporated milk and chicken stock, whisking continuously to prevent any unwelcome lumps from forming.
  6. Elevate the liquid to a gentle boil, then fold in shredded chicken, fresh thyme, black pepper, and salt, infusing the stew with robust seasonings.
  7. Transition to dumpling preparation by combining dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a well in the center for wet components.
  8. Pour milk and melted butter into the flour mixture, gently folding until a cohesive dough emerges, adjusting liquid as needed for optimal consistency.
  9. Delicately drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering stew, spacing them evenly to ensure proper cooking.
  10. Gently submerge dumplings, allowing them to peek through the liquid’s surface.
  11. Reduce heat, cover the pot, and let the dumplings steam and absorb the stew’s rich flavors for approximately 15-18 minutes.
  12. Verify dumpling doneness by ensuring they’re fluffy and fully cooked through.
  13. Ladle the steaming stew into bowls, presenting a comforting meal that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Notes

  • Dumplings float like fluffy clouds in a rich, creamy broth, creating a perfect balance of tender chicken and pillowy herb-infused dough that hugs your taste buds with warmth.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 460
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 950 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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