Cozy Chicken & Herb Dumplings Stew Recipe for Cold Days

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of hearty chicken and herb dumplings stew that warms every inch of your soul.

Golden chunks of tender chicken swim alongside plump, pillowy dumplings in a rich, aromatic broth.

Fragrant herbs dance through the liquid, promising deep, satisfying flavors in each spoonful.

The recipe captures rustic countryside cooking with its simple yet profound ingredients.

Generations have cherished this classic dish for its ability to soothe and nourish.

Ladle this stew into deep bowls and watch as winter’s chill melts away with the first comforting bite.

Savor every moment of this soul-warming culinary embrace.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients You Need for Chicken Dumpling Stew

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety foundation for building deep flavor and helps sauté vegetables smoothly.
• Yellow Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic base that creates depth and complexity in the stew's flavor profile.
• Matchstick Carrots: Brings vibrant color, natural sweetness, and delicate texture to the comforting dish.
• Celery: Contributes subtle peppery undertones and crisp vegetable background to the stew.
• Garlic: Infuses intense, robust flavor that elevates the entire dish with its distinctive essence.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates silky smooth texture and helps thicken the stew's consistency.
• Evaporated Milk: Adds creamy richness and luxurious mouthfeel without overwhelming the dish.
• Chicken Stock: Provides foundational savory liquid that intensifies overall meaty flavor.

• Shredded Cooked Chicken: Delivers hearty protein and tender meat chunks throughout the stew.
• Fresh Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbal notes that complement chicken's natural flavor.
• Black Pepper: Brings warm, spicy kick and enhances other ingredients' taste profiles.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies all ingredients' natural flavors.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender, light dumpling texture with perfect structure.
• Baking Powder: Ensures fluffy, airy dumplings that rise beautifully when cooking.
• Fresh Thyme: Adds aromatic herb dimension to the dumpling's delicate flavor.

Kitchen Tools for Cozy Chicken Dumpling Stew

• Dutch oven: Essential heavy-bottomed pot for creating rich, even-heating stew base.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dumpling dry ingredients and forming soft dough.
• Cookie scoop: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized dumpling balls for consistent cooking.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking during sautéing.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables before adding to stew.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and chicken preparation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for balanced flavors.

Instructions to Bring the Stew Together

• Cozy Kitchen Preparation

Grab your favorite Dutch oven and let’s transform a simple evening into a warm culinary adventure. Melt butter gently and watch it dance in the pot, releasing a golden aroma that signals the start of something delicious.

• Vegetable Symphony

Toss chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the buttery landscape. Let them sizzle and soften, releasing their natural sweetness. A quick sprinkle of minced garlic adds a fragrant whisper to the growing melody of flavors.

• Liquid Magic

Dust the vegetables with a light coating of flour, creating a silky base. Pour in creamy milk and rich chicken broth, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and inviting. Watch as it transforms into a luxurious, velvety sauce.

• Chicken Embrace

Fold tender shredded chicken into the bubbling pot. Sprinkle in thyme and a gentle dash of pepper, allowing the herbs to weave their comforting spell throughout the stew.

• Dumpling Cloud Formation

Mix flour, baking powder, and herbs in a bowl. Create a soft, pillowy dough that will float like clouds on top of the stew. Gently drop spoonfuls into the simmering pot, letting them nestle into the warm sauce.

• Final Comfort

Cover the pot and let the dumplings steam to perfection. In about 15 minutes, you’ll have a soul-warming dish that hugs you from the inside out – a true celebration of home cooking.

Flavor-Enhancing Tips & Add-ins

• Flavor Boosting Tricks: Swap dried thyme with fresh herbs like rosemary or sage for an intense aromatic profile that elevates the entire dish's taste experience.
• Protein Power Options: Replace chicken with turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even plant-based alternatives like shredded jackfruit for a delightful protein-packed meal with varied textures.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the stew base a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to develop and deepen overnight. Simply reheat and add fresh dumplings before serving for a quick weeknight dinner.
• Texture Talk: For extra crispy dumpling tops, uncover the pot during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking to let them develop a golden-brown crust that adds delightful crunch to each bite.
• Creamy Comfort Upgrade: Stir in a dollop of sour cream or heavy cream right before serving to create an even more luxurious and velvety stew that hugs your taste buds with pure comfort.

Presentation Tips for Chicken Dumpling Stew

• Cozy Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty stew with a crisp green salad topped with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture of the dish.
• Bread Basket Bliss: Serve warm crusty bread or cornbread on the side to soak up the delicious herbed broth, giving diners an extra layer of comfort and satisfaction.
• Winter Warmth Platter: Create a complete meal by adding roasted seasonal vegetables like brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots alongside the stew for a nutritious and filling dinner experience.
• Family-Style Feast: Present the stew in a large, rustic serving dish at the center of the table, encouraging everyone to scoop their own portions and enjoy the communal dining atmosphere.

Storage Tips for Future Enjoyment

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare a double batch of this stew and freeze individual portions in airtight containers for quick, hassle-free meals during busy weeks. Perfect for those nights when cooking feels overwhelming.
• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover stew in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will actually deepen and become more delicious as they meld together, making each reheated serving even more tasty than the last.
• Smart Dumpling Strategy: Keep dumpling dough separate from the stew when storing to maintain their fluffy texture. Add fresh dumplings when reheating to ensure they stay light and tender, avoiding soggy disappointment.
• Freezer-Friendly Magic: This stew freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain the perfect consistency and rich flavor profile.

Hearty Chicken and Herb Dumplings Stew Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken and herb dumplings stew offers comfort from grandma’s kitchen, blending rustic flavors with homemade goodness. Warm bowls invite diners to savor rich broth, tender chicken, and pillowy herb-infused dumplings that promise satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 32 fl oz / 1 quart chicken stock
• 12 oz evaporated milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 tbsps butter
• 4 tbsps butter, melted
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup matchstick carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, or 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, or 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsps freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Melt butter in a Dutch oven and create a golden foundation by sautéing onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
2. Thicken Mixture: Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to create a smooth roux that will provide depth and consistency to the stew.
3. Build Liquid Foundation: Gradually whisk evaporated milk and chicken stock into the vegetable base, ensuring a smooth integration without lumps while bringing the mixture to a gentle boil.
4. Infuse Protein and Seasonings: Incorporate shredded chicken, fresh thyme, black pepper, and salt, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
5. Prepare Dumplings: In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and create a well for wet components, gently mixing milk and melted butter into the flour mixture until a cohesive dough forms.
6. Cook Dumplings: Carefully drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering stew, ensuring even spacing and partial submersion, then cover and steam for 15-18 minutes until dumplings are fluffy and fully cooked.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the steaming chicken and dumpling stew into serving bowls, presenting a comforting and hearty meal that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Notes

• Butter Browning Technique: Melt butter slowly to develop a rich, golden base that enhances the stew’s overall depth of flavor and creates a delicious starting point.
• Vegetable Softening Secret: Sauté onions, carrots, and celery precisely 5 minutes to unlock their natural sweetness and create a flavor-packed foundation for the dish.
• Flour Coating Trick: Dust vegetables with flour carefully, ensuring even distribution to prevent clumping and create a smooth, velvety texture in the final stew.
• Dumpling Consistency Mastery: Adjust liquid gradually when mixing dumpling dough, aiming for a soft, barely-mixed texture that ensures light and fluffy dumplings when cooked.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg