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Chicken Stew with Dumplings Recipe
Chicken Stew with Dumplings
This hearty chicken stew with fluffy dumplings is perfect for a cozy meal. With tender chicken, savory broth, and soft dumplings, its a comforting dish thats easy to prepare. Heres how you make it!
Ingredients
For the stew:
- 1 (3-pound) rotisserie chicken
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans chicken broth
- pound new potatoes, cut into -inch dice
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 teaspoon salt
- teaspoon ground black pepper
- teaspoon dried basil
- teaspoon dried thyme
For the dumplings:
- 1 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- cup milk (or more as needed)
- 2 tablespoons dried dill
Directions
Follow these simple steps to make this hearty chicken stew with dumplings.
Step 1
Debone the rotisserie chicken and cut the meat into chunks or shred it. Set aside for later.
Step 2
In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery. Cook and stir for about 10 minutes, until softened.
Step 3
Sprinkle the flour into the pot and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes to create a thick roux.
Step 4
Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Add the potatoes, frozen vegetables, salt, black pepper, basil, and thyme. Stir everything together and cover the pot.
Step 5
Cook the stew over medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 6
Once the vegetables are cooked, stir in the shredded chicken meat and continue to simmer on low heat.
Step 7
While the stew is simmering, prepare the dumplings. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the cubed cold butter and cut it in using two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 8
Stir in the milk and dried dill until the dough comes together. The dough should be thick and somewhat sticky. If needed, adjust the milk to get the right consistency.
Step 9
Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering stew. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, then cover and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the dumplings are tender and cooked through.
Cook's Note
If you have a food processor, you can use it to make the dumpling dough. Just be careful not to overmix, as this can make the dumplings tough. If the dough is too thick, add a little more milk to adjust the consistency.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 464 |
| Total Fat | 21g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Cholesterol | 96mg |
| Sodium | 1161mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Protein | 30g |
| Vitamin C | 16mg |
| Calcium | 157mg |
| Iron | 4mg |
| Potassium | 645mg |
Servings Per Recipe: 8
History of Chicken Stew with Dumplings
Chicken stew with dumplings is a beloved comfort food in many cultures, particularly in the Southern United States. The dish has roots in traditional peasant fare, where hearty, simple ingredients like chicken, vegetables, and flour were combined to create a nourishing, filling meal. The concept of dumplings, often made with simple ingredients like flour and butter, has been around for centuries, dating back to European and North American cooking traditions. These steamed or boiled dough pockets have been used to stretch the contents of a soup or stew, making it more filling and satisfying. Over time, various regions have put their own spin on the dish, incorporating local ingredients and flavors.
Regional Variations and Features
In the Southern United States, chicken stew with dumplings is a classic dish often served during the colder months. The Southern variation tends to be richer and more flavorful, with the use of store-bought rotisserie chicken and a roux-based broth. The dumplings in Southern recipes are typically fluffy and soft, made with simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, butter, and milk. In contrast, in other regions like New England, you might find variations that include a more brothy consistency or the addition of different vegetables such as corn or beans. The versatility of the dish has led to many regional variations, with each area adding its own twist to the traditional recipe.
Differences from Similar Dishes
While chicken stew with dumplings shares similarities with other comfort foods like chicken and dumplings or chicken pot pie, it has some distinct characteristics. For example, chicken and dumplings is typically a much thicker dish with a more concentrated gravy base, whereas chicken stew tends to have a more broth-like consistency, with a lighter texture. Dumplings in a stew are also often smaller and denser compared to those in chicken and dumplings, which are larger and more biscuit-like. Additionally, chicken stew with dumplings may include a wider variety of vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and peas, giving it a more diverse range of textures and flavors.
Where is it Typically Served?
Chicken stew with dumplings is commonly served as a family meal, especially in the fall and winter months when hearty dishes are most appealing. It is often enjoyed at home, during family gatherings, or at casual restaurants that specialize in comfort food. The dish is also a popular choice for potlucks or community dinners, where its ease of preparation and ability to serve a crowd makes it a go-to recipe. In some Southern households, it might be served on Sunday evenings as part of a larger, comforting meal.
Interesting Facts
- Did you know that the concept of dumplings dates back to ancient civilizations? They were originally made to stretch limited ingredients and provide more food for families.
- The use of rotisserie chicken in this stew recipe is a modern convenience, allowing for a quick and easy meal that still retains a homemade flavor.
- While dumplings are traditionally made from scratch, many cooks today turn to premade mixes like Bisquick to save time without sacrificing flavor.
- In the past, chicken stew with dumplings was often seen as a "one-pot" meal, perfect for feeding large families with minimal cleanup.
FAQ about Chicken Stew with Dumplings Recipe
Comments
Sarah7a
10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM
This was a really good place to start for me because I used to make chicken and dumplings all the time and wanted to again since the season is changing, however I couldn't exactly remember how I made it and sadly didn't write it down! I followed this recipe somewhat but changed a few things which in my opinion made it so much better :) the rotisserie chicken was a great time saver and delicious! After shredding the chicken I sautéed carrots, celery, and onion in butter and when they were tender I added the flour - however I also added almost another full cup of butter and about 1/2 a cup of flour - I like the stew to be thick and creamy and the amounts of flour in butter in this recipe was not enough.I used organic chicken broth and almost about 32 oz of it -its really inportant to taste and also to make sure the stew is to the consistency youd like. i also omitted the thyme, basil, potato and mixed vegetable and instead just added frozen peas. Another thing - JUST USE BISQUICK!! It makes THE BEST dumplings and so easy - I just add a little pepper to mine. After adding the chicken I dropped 10 dumplings onto the boiling stew, turned the heat down and cooked uncovered for 10 min and covered for 10 min - veggies were perfectly cooked and oh my god everything was soooo delicious! I hope this helps anyone looking for a great seasonal dish ;) so easy and impressive and delicious!
Karen
11/22/2020 05:45:13 PM
Really like this warm and hearty stew. Made a couple simple changes for what I had in the house. Made the entire thing in my instant pot. Used my pressure cooker to cook about 1lb of chicken thighs with a splash of chicken broth and some Trader Joe’s 21 seasoning salute, removed from pot and shredded as recommended. Removed the residual liquid and added the butter, then in same pot, sautéed the celery, onion, and added fresh carrot at this stage. When soft added 2 cloves of garlic and sautéed briefly. Then pretty much followed the rest of the recipe as stated. For the mixed frozen veggies I used peas and corn. Instead of dill in the biscuit mix I added fresh chopped parsley. You may need to add more liquid than stated in the recipe depending on how thick you like things. I used. 32oz carton instead of 24. The biscuits seem to absorb quite a lot of fluid. Great dish!!
Heather Pulley
05/20/2018 12:50:03 AM
This is amazing! I made mine with chicken breasts in the crock pot, so instead of making the roux I just used 1 can of chicken broth and 1 can of cream of chicken soup, then added about 1/2 a can of water as well. I used white pepper instead of black. and cooked on low for about 6 hours. I made the dumplings with about an hour left (with only 1 Tbsp of dill) and then added the frozen veggies and dumplings and turned it up to high. It cooked up beautifully and this was very very good!
Robert
08/20/2025 06:30:31 PM
I double the recipe used 2 32oz box chicken stock, fresh baby carrots, canned green beans and peas and fresh corn cut off cob, 3 medium potatoes and fresh chicken breast and 2 thighs cubed and sautéed in butter. I cheated on dumplings and used Bisquick mix for that and brown top in convection oven. So creamy and delicious. Enjoy! Worth the extra effort.
rlandre
11/02/2023 10:04:01 PM
If you want to make it even easier, use Bisquick or the equivalent for the dumplings. Cup of Bisquick, 1/3 to 1/2 cup milk, mix, spoon onto hot stew, cover & cook 20 minutes --- Voila, dumplings just like you mixed them yourself. You can add dill or any other seasonings you like to the Bisquick. I used to make my own, but these are just as good and a lot easier.
dawn-eve
10/27/2021 04:05:04 AM
It was packed with flavor and was a family hit except for the dumplings. I would recommend using more butter for the roux. I used 2 cups of sliced carrots and 3 cartons of chicken broth and I large onion and 3 celery stalks. Added minced garlic when frying the onion and celery. Used 4 chicken breasts ( feeding 4 people). Also added in some sage along with alI the spices listed. Found dumplings did float but were mushy. Not sure what the secret is to making dumplings as I followed the recipe. I would recommend making this.
Heide
01/21/2015 04:07:20 PM
I doubled the low sodium broth and veggies because there was so much chicken, which meant I had to double the butter and flour for the roux too. I was able to leave out the salt, basil and thyme because I simmered the chicken carcasses in the broth for 30 minutes first. That gave the broth more than enough salt and flavor. Added a bay leaf because I could. I never made dumplings before. My lesson learned is stick to the rounded T. not do the heaping T.! They were nice and airy inside. It's cold and snowing outside and this was a nice comfort food dinner. My family loved it. The only time consuming and messy part was pulling apart the rotisserie chickens. This dish was well worth it though. The recipe is going into my box of favorites.
MichelleK
01/25/2023 12:27:34 AM
This is delicious! I have roasted my own chicken each time, used frozen as suggested, and fresh cut cup carrots and green beans and just sautéed with the onions and garlic. My dumplings always take a little longer to get done, and usually have to almost double the chicken broth to have enough liquid to continue the cooking of the dumplings. It still comes out like a stew consistency, and add a pinch more thyme and basil to account for the extra broth I add. Family and friends love this dish!
scott marley
01/20/2018 02:36:56 PM
Turmed out very well. I added another 1tbsp of both butter and flour in a side saucepan with chicken, prior/during the add chicken stage + 1 more can of broth, because i felt like i wanted more sauce. With the veggies i also included finely diced red bell pepper, a small amount of minced garlic and green onions, to add some extra pep to the flavor.
Micraman
03/11/2017 06:28:20 AM
I followed the majority of this recipe. I had thawed out chicken and turkey and in the end, I decided to try the turkey instead; very tasty. This stew has a nice thick gravy, exactly what I like. The dumplings were mixed in the food processor as well but I cooked the stew in a pressure cooker. I'm not sure just how much time I saved or if it would have turned out any differently if I'd cooked it on the stove or in the slow cooker (what I usually would have used). As I used turkey, I also added some sage and poultry seasoning. I will definitely be making this again, maybe chicken next time.
Betty Walsh
01/28/2018 04:44:42 PM
Great comfort food. I roasted a chicken for Sunday dinner and picked the meat off for the stew. I always crack the bones and add them to my crock pot with carrot peelings, onion and water to make over night stock. Better than Bouillon low sodium chicken helps to make it a heartier stock too. I added frozen peas, carrots and corn because that's what my family likes. Great dumplings. Thank you
Justin Adams
04/06/2025 02:39:58 AM
Bro, I need this in my life every week.
JollyOats1471
03/16/2025 07:13:31 PM
My family absolutely loves this recipe. Didn't change anything. Never knew my husband and others would love the dumplings.
Gnome Woodsley
02/08/2025 02:53:35 AM
Added garlic paste (roughly 2-3 cloves) to the celery & onions. Carrots were my chosen veggie to add. Used an entire carton of chicken broth (900ml or roughly 4 cups) but still needed to add an extra cup of water. Made the dumplings as directed. Accidentally made them WAY too big as they were dropped in the pot, so I decided to gently break them apart (love how forgiving the dumplings are!) Cooked beautifully in my Dutch oven; the stew was flavourful but the dumplings were definitely our favourite part! My husband craves this recipe come winter!
Susan Adams
02/06/2025 08:27:08 PM
Tasted so fresh and homemade.
Mike Biggle
02/03/2025 12:12:35 AM
Easy to make, dill is great in it. We had home made chicken soup on hand. We needed it to be a little more brothy.
Nancy Grzymko
12/10/2024 04:26:50 AM
Yummy, I used chicken breast cut up and cooked them with the onions.
Anthony Flores
12/02/2024 03:59:10 PM
Made it and immediately saved it to favorites.
Carolyn Martin
10/28/2024 04:14:56 PM
So quick and incredibly delicious.
QuirkyStew3668
10/03/2024 11:34:01 PM
We love this recipe. I’ve done it several times and it’s delicious.
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