Why You’ll Love these Southern Chicken and Dumplings
When you’re craving pure comfort food that warms you from the inside out, nothing quite compares to this Southern Chicken and Dumplings recipe. It’s the perfect marriage of tender chicken, savory broth, and pillowy dumplings that melt in your mouth.
I love how this dish transforms simple ingredients into something magical. The way those homemade dumplings float atop the rich, creamy broth, soaking up all that chicken goodness? Pure heaven.
Plus, it’s versatile enough for Sunday dinner or a weeknight meal. The one-pot simplicity means less cleanup, and those leftovers? Even better the next day.
What Ingredients are in Southern Chicken and Dumplings?
To make this soul-warming Southern classic, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that transform into something truly magical when combined.
The beauty of chicken and dumplings lies in how it elevates humble pantry staples into a dish that feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
Let’s break down what you’ll need for this comforting pot of goodness.
- 1 (2½ lb) roasting chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 3 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 teaspoon house seasoning
- 1 (10¾ ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Ice water (about ¾ cup)
- 4 quarts water for cooking the chicken
- Optional: 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup water (for thickening if needed)
What I love about this ingredient list is its flexibility.
Don’t have cream of celery soup? Cream of chicken works just as well.
Already have a whole chicken instead of pieces? That’s perfectly fine—just cut it up before cooking.
The house seasoning can be as simple as salt, pepper, and garlic powder mixed together.
And those dumplings? They require just flour, salt, and water, proving that the most comforting foods often come from the simplest ingredients.
Remember to use ice water for the dumplings—it helps keep them tender rather than tough.
How to Make these Southern Chicken and Dumplings
Making chicken and dumplings starts with creating a flavorful broth. Place your 2½ pound chicken (cut into 8 pieces), 3 chopped celery ribs, 1 large chopped onion, 2 bay leaves, 2 chicken bouillon cubes, and 1 teaspoon of house seasoning into a large pot. Add 4 quarts of water and bring everything to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let the chicken cook until it’s tender and the thigh juices run clear—about 40 minutes.
Once done, remove the chicken and let it cool enough to handle. Then, remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones, returning just the meat to the pot. Keep this mixture warming over low heat while you prepare the dumplings.
For the dumplings, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon of salt in a mixing bowl. Gradually incorporate about ¾ cup of ice water—and I mean ice water, not just cold from the tap. The temperature difference actually matters for tender dumplings!
Start drizzling the water from the center, working outward with your fingers until you form a cohesive dough. Knead it into a ball, then roll it out on a well-floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness. Let the dough rest for several minutes (this helps relax the gluten so your dumplings aren’t tough).
While waiting, add the 10¾ ounce can of condensed cream of celery soup to your chicken pot and maintain a gentle simmer.
Now comes the fun part—drop those dumplings in! Cut your dough into 1-inch pieces, pull each piece in half, and drop them one by one into the simmering soup.
Here’s where patience pays off—resist the urge to stir after adding the dumplings. Instead, gently move the pot in a circular motion to help the dumplings submerge and cook evenly. They’ll need about 3 to 4 minutes until they float and lose that raw dough texture.
If your stew looks too thin, you can always whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup water and add it before putting in the dumplings. When everything’s ready, ladle this steaming Southern comfort into bowls and watch as everyone at the table falls silent with that first heavenly bite.
Southern Chicken and Dumplings Substitutions and Variations
While traditional Southern chicken and dumplings follows a time-honored recipe, there’s plenty of room for customization based on what you’ve got in your pantry or your family’s preferences.
Don’t have celery? Try carrots or bell peppers instead. You can swap the cream of celery soup for mushroom or chicken varieties, whatever’s lurking in your cabinet.
For heartier dumplings, mix herbs like thyme or rosemary into the dough. Some folks prefer adding frozen peas during the final minutes of cooking, while others swear by a splash of heavy cream for richness.
Vegetable broth works for a lighter version, though I’d never tell my grandmother I suggested that.
What to Serve with Southern Chicken and Dumplings
Southern chicken and dumplings stands as a full meal on its own, but pairing it with complementary sides can turn your dinner into a proper feast.
I recommend serving a bright, vinegary salad—think coleslaw or a simple green salad with tomatoes—to cut through the richness of the stew.
Cornbread makes an ideal partner, perfect for sopping up that delicious gravy. Can’t decide between sweet or savory? Either works beautifully here.
For vegetables, roasted green beans or simple buttered peas add color and nutrition without competing with your star attraction.
In summer, fresh sliced tomatoes are utterly perfect, don’t you think?
Final Thoughts
After you’ve savored your last spoonful of this classic comfort dish, I’m confident you’ll understand why chicken and dumplings has earned its place in Southern cuisine’s hall of fame.
There’s something magical about those pillowy dumplings swimming in rich broth alongside tender chicken that just soothes the soul.
What makes this recipe special? Its simplicity.
No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques, just honest cooking that delivers extraordinary results.
The trick is patience—letting those flavors develop slowly, handling those dumplings with care.
Isn’t that what Southern cooking is all about? Taking your time, showing love through food.
For those who enjoy Mexican-inspired flavors, preparing a pot of chipotle flavor soup can be an equally comforting alternative to traditional Southern dishes.
For a change of pace, try our Chicken Noodle Soup recipe that swaps dumplings for egg noodles and adds vegetables for a lighter comfort food option.
Conclusion
I hope you’ll give this Southern chicken and dumplings recipe a try in your own kitchen. It’s my go-to comfort food for good reason—simple ingredients transforming into something truly special. The magic happens in those pillowy dumplings soaking up that rich, savory broth. Remember, patience is key for authentic Southern flavor. When you need warmth and comfort, this dish delivers every single time.
