Pioneer Woman's Chicken and Dumplings: Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Chicken and dumplings is a dish that evokes warmth, nostalgia, and the comforting feeling of home-cooked goodness. This classic Southern recipe, especially when inspired by the hearty, flavorful style of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, becomes an absolute must-try. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this guide will walk you through creating the perfect chicken and dumplings, Pioneer Woman style, that will impress your family and friends.

A comforting bowl of homemade chicken and dumplings, showcasing the rich broth and tender, fluffy dumplings, perfect for a family meal.

If you are craving more soul-satisfying comfort food, explore similar dishes like our creamy Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy or the classic Chicken and Noodles.

Why This Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is a Winner

This chicken and dumplings recipe stands out because of its simplicity and profound flavor. It’s built on honest, wholesome ingredients and straightforward techniques, making it achievable for any home cook. Chicken and dumplings is a cornerstone of Southern cuisine, often gracing Sunday dinner tables and special family gatherings. The beauty of this dish lies in its ability to transform humble ingredients into a deeply satisfying and comforting meal. While homemade dumplings might seem daunting, they are surprisingly easy and bring an unmatched homemade touch to the dish.

Understanding Dumplings: Flat, Drop, and Biscuit

Dumplings are essentially cooked dough, and for chicken and dumplings, there are a few popular types to consider:

Flat Dumplings: These are made by rolling out the dough and cutting it into strips or squares. Flat dumplings offer a slightly chewier texture and are excellent for soaking up the flavorful broth.
Drop Dumplings: For drop dumplings, the dough is not rolled. Instead, spoonfuls or pinched pieces are dropped directly into the simmering broth. Drop dumplings tend to be softer and fluffier.
Biscuit Dumplings: A quicker version utilizes canned biscuits, cut up and added to the soup. While convenient, homemade dumplings, whether flat or drop, offer superior flavor and texture. For a truly authentic Pioneer Woman style chicken and dumplings, homemade is the way to go.

Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumplings

To create a truly memorable chicken and dumplings dish, focusing on quality ingredients is essential. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

For the Flavorful Broth:

Chicken: You can use a whole chicken for a richer broth, or opt for chicken breasts or thighs for convenience. Leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked turkey works wonderfully too, making it a versatile recipe for using up leftovers.
Cream of Chicken Soup: This adds a creamy richness and depth of flavor to the broth. Choose a good quality cream of chicken soup for the best results.
Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base for the soup and enhances the chicken flavor. Low sodium broth is a good choice to control the saltiness.
Vegetables (Optional but Recommended): Celery, onions, and carrots can be added to the broth for extra flavor and nutrition, aligning with the Pioneer Woman’s love for fresh ingredients.

For the Perfect Dumplings:

Self-Rising Flour: Crucially important for light and fluffy dumplings. Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt, simplifying the dumpling making process.
Shortening: Like Crisco, shortening contributes to a tender and flaky dumpling texture. It also adds a subtle richness that complements the chicken and broth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken and Dumplings

First, decide whether you prefer flat or drop dumplings. Both methods are detailed below.

Preparations

If starting with raw chicken, begin by cooking your chicken. You can boil it, bake it, or use your preferred method. Once cooked and cooled slightly, dice or shred the chicken for the soup. If using leftover chicken, ensure it is warmed through before adding to the broth.

Making the Broth: Building Flavor

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and any desired vegetables like chopped celery, carrots, and onions. Bring the mixture to a boil. If using raw vegetables, boiling them in the broth will soften them and infuse the broth with their flavors. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot.

Close-up shot of chicken and drop dumplings simmering in a pot, highlighting the steam and the texture of the broth and dumplings.

Crafting Flat Dumplings

In a large mixing bowl, measure out the self-rising flour.
Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is key to achieving tender dumplings.
Gradually add boiling water, a little at a time, mixing until the dough comes together into a ball. Be careful with boiling water.
Lightly flour a work surface. Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness.
Cut the dough into long strips, then into squares or rectangles.

Cooking Flat Dumplings

Remove the lid from the simmering broth.
Add the flat dumpling squares to the boiling broth, a few at a time, replacing the lid for about 30 seconds after each addition to maintain the heat.
Once all dumplings are added, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Creating Drop Dumplings: Quick and Easy

For drop dumplings, the process is even simpler:

Prepare the dough as described for flat dumplings, up to the point of forming a ball.
Instead of rolling out the dough, simply pinch off small, uniform pieces of dough.
Drop these dough pieces directly into the simmering broth, following the same method as with flat dumplings: add a few at a time, replace the lid briefly after each addition, and then simmer for about 20 minutes until cooked through.

Essential Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings

Lid On is Key: Keeping the lid on the pot while the dumplings cook is crucial. It traps the steam and heat, ensuring the dumplings cook evenly and thoroughly. This prevents the common issue of dumplings being doughy in the center.
Don’t Over Stir: Avoid stirring the dumplings vigorously, as this can cause them to break apart. Instead, gently push them under the broth with a wooden spoon to ensure they cook evenly.
Check for Doneness: To check if dumplings are cooked, remove one and cut it open. The center should be cooked through and not doughy.
Boiling Water Temperature: Using boiling water for the dumpling dough helps to activate the gluten in the flour, resulting in a more tender dumpling.
Seasoning: Don’t forget to season your broth and dumplings adequately with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed throughout the cooking process.

Serving Suggestions: Complete the Meal

Chicken and dumplings is a hearty meal on its own, but you can enhance the Southern comfort food experience by serving it with:

Fried Hoecakes: These crispy cornmeal cakes are a classic Southern side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken and dumplings. Try this recipe for fried hoecakes.
Green Beans and Potatoes: A simple and wholesome side of green beans and potatoes adds a fresh vegetable element to the meal.

Recipe Variations to Explore

Vegetable Boost: Add more vegetables to the broth. Sauté diced carrots and onions in butter before adding them to the broth for enhanced flavor. Peas, corn, or green beans can also be added.
Spice it Up: Experiment with herbs and spices. Garlic powder, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add complexity to the flavor profile.
Turkey Dumplings: Use cooked turkey instead of chicken, especially after Thanksgiving, for a delicious way to repurpose leftovers.
Creamy Herb Broth: Stir in a tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or dill at the end of cooking for added freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken and Dumplings

What if I don’t have self-rising flour?

If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can easily make your own by combining all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt.

What is shortening, and why use it?

Shortening is a solid fat at room temperature, like Crisco. It creates a tender, flaky texture in dumplings, contributing to their melt-in-your-mouth quality. Lard can also be used as a substitute.

What can I use instead of Cream of Chicken Soup?

While cream of chicken soup adds a classic flavor and creamy texture, you can make your own cream of chicken soup substitute to avoid additives or control ingredients.

Why are my dumplings tough?

Overmixing the dumpling dough is the primary cause of tough dumplings. Mix just until the dough comes together, and avoid kneading or overworking it.

More Old-Fashioned Comfort Food Recipes

If you love the comforting taste of chicken and dumplings, explore these other classic recipes:

Cathead Biscuits: These large, fluffy biscuits are a Southern staple. Get the recipe for Cathead Biscuits.

A delightful dessert image featuring blackberry dumplings, showcasing a sweet variation of the classic dumpling concept.

Blackberry Dumplings: For a sweet twist on dumplings, try blackberry dumplings as a delicious dessert.
Amish Pasta Salad: A crowd-pleasing and flavorful pasta salad, perfect for potlucks and gatherings. Discover the recipe for Amish Pasta Salad.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Chicken and dumplings is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a little chicken broth to loosen the soup as the dumplings absorb liquid upon standing. Microwave reheating is also possible in short intervals until heated through. Freezing is possible for up to 3 months, but the dumpling texture may change upon thawing.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

By Judy Yeager

Your family will love these Easy Chicken and Dumplings, a comforting classic with a Pioneer Woman touch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

Chicken/Broth

4 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
1 cup chopped celery
1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup (Campbell’s recommended)
2 (10.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
3 (10.5 ounce) cans water

Dumpling Ingredients

2 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup shortening

Instructions

Chicken Instructions

Place chicken/broth ingredients in a soup pot and bring to a boil.
Cover and reduce to simmer.

Dumpling Instructions (Flat Dumplings)

In a large bowl, pour 2 cups self-rising flour.
Cut in 1/4 cup shortening with a pastry blender or fork.
Gradually add 3/4 cup boiling water, mixing until dough forms a ball.
Roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness on a floured surface.
Cut into strips, then squares.
Remove lid from pot and add dumpling squares to the boiling broth, a few at a time, replacing lid each time for about 30 seconds.
Once all dumplings are added, lower heat to simmer for 20 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.

For Drop Dumplings

For drop dumplings, do not roll out dough. Pinch off pieces and drop directly into the broth like flat dumplings, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.

Video

[Link to Recipe Video – if available, insert here]

Keywords: Chicken and Dumplings, Easy, Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumplings, Comfort Food

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Pioneer Woman’s Chicken and Dumplings: Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe