The Best Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

 This easy chicken and dumplings recipe is one of my family’s all-time favorite meals to make because it is the ultimate comfort food yet it has protein and veggies. My grandma still makes this meal for our family, and my two-year-old asks for it constantly. That’s winning in my book!

 Are you looking for a great way to get a little added protein in your diet? This dumplings recipe is made with eggs so it is loaded with protein and vegetables to please even the pickiest eaters! 

Jump to Recipe

WHY I LOVE THIS EASY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS RECIPE

This recipe comes right from my family’s cookbook. You won’t find any other variation quite like it anywhere on the internet. Well, maybe. It is not common though! This easy recipe contains so many pantry staples and is a great meal to make when you are low on food in the fridge and pantry. 

These drop dumplings can be whipped up in less than 5 minutes. Yes, you read that right! I can sometimes make them in 3 if I am really in a hurry. Now, if you add the whole chicken, and all of the veggies this will tack on a few more minutes! Just the fluffy dumplings and chicken broth are a cinch to create. 

We make just the dough balls and broth most times, but when I am feeling fancy I will add in the other ingredients. The nice thing about making this meal is it is very versatile and easy to change the veggies and broths for a different flavor. 

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Because this meal is considered a soup, the best side dishes to serve is a fresh green salad or bread! If you need a delicious and simple salad recipe check out my strawberry quinoa salad!

 If you want to dip some homemade artisan bread in the chicken broth with homemade chicken and veggies, that is also a nice side to have on hand. Do however keep in mind the fluffy dumplings are similar to bread in both tastes and bite.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS EASY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS RECIPE

• EASY TO MAKE: I mentioned earlier I can whip the main part of this meal up in under 3 minutes! Yes, it is that easy! To make the drop dumplings: It involves beating up a few eggs, adding seasonings, and then flour. Voila! To make it even easier I like to use a rotisserie chicken or even the remnants from a whole chicken from a previous meal for quick protein. 

 

• FULL OF FLAVOR: Because of the actual dumpling recipe ingredients naturally it is a creamy soup without the unhealthy cream of chicken soup base. (Read dumplings ingredients section for the info). It is also loaded with healthy veggies of choice like green beans, corn, carrots, peas, or celery. It makes such a flavorful chicken stew.

 

• MADE WITH PANTRY STAPLES: All you need to have on hand to make these delicious dumplings is: Chicken stock or chicken broth, frozen or fresh veggies, tender chicken, all purpose flour, eggs, and seasonings: poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, or even garlic powder. If you don’t have these on hand you can easily find them at any grocery store. 

 

• A FULL MEAL: This easy chicken and dumplings recipe is the full package meal. It comes loaded with protein, carbs, veggies, and nutrients from the broth. A literal one-pot meal at its finest!

DIFFERENT KINDS OF DUMPLINGS USED FOR CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS RECIPE

There are many different variations of dumplings you can try when making chicken and dumplings. My favorite is the drop dumplings, but there are also biscuit dumplings (Pillsbury crescent rolls) and rolled dumplings like Cracker Barrel serves which are flatter and denser. 

The drop dumplings are by far the easiest when it comes down to time. You simply whip up your dough and let your broth start boiling on medium heat and drop them in. No kneading, rolling or rising needed. 

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED: 

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Large bowl and 
• Whisk
• Large spoon for dropping dumplings
• Small bowl for serving up + utensils
• Airtight container

BEST EASY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS INGREDIENTS

• All-Purpose flour (Einkorn also works well)
• Salt + Black Pepper
• Garlic or Onion Salt
• Eggs
• Chicken broth or vegetable broth 
• Olive oil
• Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, rotisserie, leftover chicken or whole chicken
• Frozen or fresh veggies: Peas, carrots, celery, green beans, brussels sprouts even! Make it your own.
• Bay leaf (optional) 
• Melted Butter for dumpling dough (optional) 

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST EASY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS RECIPE

1. Get out your large pot or Dutch oven and fill it with chicken broth. I typically use an entire 32 oz. box. Stir broth and add in a touch of olive oil and a teaspoon of poultry seasoning or garlic/onion powder to give it a little more flavor. I like adding Better Than Bouillon paste to my broth for much flavor. 

2. Turn your stove to medium high heat so the broth can get to a boil. Start prepping your dumplings mixture in a separate large bowl. The recipe is versatile. If you want to feed more people, add in more eggs. I typically will add in 6 eggs to serve 3 people. Crack your eggs into a bowl and season mixture with a teaspoon salt and pepper. Whip them up well until no egg whites are showing. Add a cup of flour at a time to the egg mixture until you have a sticky dough ball. No pieces should be falling away, it needs to be wet. No extra flour is usually needed.

3. The simmering soup should be at a boil now, and this is the time to drop tablespoonfuls of your dumpling dough into the broth. Once all of your dough is added to the broth add in your other ingredients.

4. Remove chicken from bones if you are using a whole chicken or rotisserie style. Stir peas, carrots, and any other veggies you are using into the broth. Stir chicken, and veggies together with the dumplings for a classic dish! Let the soup simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. 

5. In a separate bowl ladle the soup out for each serving and enjoy!