Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumplings: A Hearty Comfort Food Classic

This Chicken and Dumplings recipe is reminiscent of the hearty, home-style cooking you’d expect from the Pioneer Woman herself. It’s Southern comfort food at its finest, perfect for a family dinner on a chilly evening. This dish starts with a flavorful chicken soup base, enriched with cream of chicken, and is elevated with the addition of fluffy, homemade dumplings – choose between flat rolled dumplings or easy drop dumplings.

If you’re a fan of comforting and satisfying meals like this, you might also enjoy our recipes for classic Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy or a simple yet delicious Chicken and Noodles. These dishes share that same heartwarming quality that makes them family favorites, much like Pioneer Woman’s signature style.

❤️ Why This Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is a Winner

What makes this recipe a standout? It’s all about simplicity and flavor. Just like Pioneer Woman recipes, this chicken and dumplings dish uses straightforward ingredients and is incredibly easy to prepare. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Chicken and dumplings are a beloved staple in Southern cuisine, often gracing tables for Sunday suppers and special occasions. While some might think homemade dumplings are complicated, this recipe proves they are surprisingly simple to make, adding a touch of home-cooked goodness that elevates the entire dish.

❓ Decoding Dumplings: Flat, Drop, or Biscuit?

Let’s talk dumplings! At their core, dumplings are simply cooked dough, but when it comes to chicken and dumplings, there are a few classic types to consider, each offering a slightly different texture and preparation method:

Flat Dumplings: These are the traditional, rolled-out dumpling. You create flat dumplings by rolling the dough thinly and then cutting it into strips or squares. They offer a satisfyingly chewy texture and soak up the flavorful broth beautifully.
Drop Dumplings: For a more rustic and quicker approach, drop dumplings are the way to go. With drop dumplings, there’s no rolling required! You simply pinch off pieces of dough and drop them directly into the simmering broth. They tend to be softer and puffier than flat dumplings.
Biscuit Dumplings: While not strictly homemade, biscuit dumplings are a shortcut using canned biscuits. While convenient, and a quicker option, homemade dumplings, whether flat or drop, truly enhance the flavor and texture of your chicken and dumplings, making it closer to a true Pioneer Woman style dish. Homemade is always worth the little extra effort.

🍴 Essential Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumplings

To create this comforting classic, you’ll need a few key ingredients for both the flavorful broth and the perfect dumplings:

For the Rich and Flavorful Broth:

Chicken: The heart of the dish! You have options here. You can boil a whole chicken or chicken pieces like breasts or thighs to create your own fresh chicken broth and tender cooked chicken. Alternatively, for a quicker route, you can use pre-cooked chicken such as leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even cooked turkey.
Cream of Chicken Soup: This pantry staple is a secret weapon for adding depth of flavor and creaminess to the broth, creating that signature chicken and dumplings taste. Look for a quality brand like Campbell’s for best results, just like Pioneer Woman likely uses in her own pantry.
Chicken Broth: Liquid gold! Chicken broth forms the base of your soup, adding savory chicken flavor and the necessary liquid for simmering the dumplings.

For the Homemade Dumplings:

Self-Rising Flour: This is crucial for achieving light and fluffy dumplings. Self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, simplifying the dumpling making process. Using self-rising flour is a tip that even the Pioneer Woman would appreciate for its ease and consistent results.
Shortening: Don’t skip the shortening! Using shortening, like Crisco, is key to creating tender and flavorful dumplings. Shortening contributes to a wonderful texture that melts in your mouth. Lard can also be used as a traditional alternative.

🍽️ Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken and Dumplings

Before you begin, decide whether you’re in the mood for classic flat dumplings or easy drop dumplings. Both are delicious, and the instructions for each are provided below.

Preparations: Chicken is Key

If you’re starting with raw chicken, begin by cooking your chicken. You can boil a whole chicken or chicken pieces until cooked through. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, dice or chop it into bite-sized pieces for the broth. If using pre-cooked chicken, simply shred or dice it and set aside.

🥄 Building the Flavorful Broth

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, combine your cooked chicken and all the broth ingredients: cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. If you’ve added celery as in some variations, boiling will help soften it. Since your chicken is already cooked, you’re mainly looking to heat everything through and meld the flavors. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer gently while you prepare the dumplings.

🥣 Crafting Flat Dumplings: A Classic Touch

For traditional flat dumplings, follow these simple steps:

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, measure out 2 cups of self-rising flour.
Incorporate Shortening: Cut in 1/4 cup of shortening using a pastry blender or a fork. Work the shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is essential for creating tender dumplings, a technique likely passed down through generations and used in many Pioneer Woman style recipes.
Add Boiling Water: Gradually add 3/4 cup of boiling water to the flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing until the dough comes together and forms a ball. Be careful when adding boiling water!
Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface or a cutting board. Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness.
Cut into Dumpling Shapes: Cut the rolled dough into long strips, and then cut the strips into squares, or diamonds, or any shape you prefer for your dumplings.
Add Dumplings to Broth: Remove the lid from your simmering pot of broth. Gently add several dumpling squares at a time to the boiling broth. Replace the lid after each addition for about 30 seconds to help the dumplings cook through. Continue adding dumplings until all are in the pot.
Simmer and Finish: Once all the dumplings are added, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

💕 Quick and Easy Drop Dumplings: Rustic Charm

If you prefer the ease of drop dumplings, simply skip the rolling step:

Prepare Dumpling Dough: Follow steps 1-3 for flat dumplings to create the dough.
Drop Dumplings into Broth: Instead of rolling and cutting, pinch off small, uniform pieces of dough. Drop these dough pieces directly into the simmering broth, just as you would with the flat dumplings, replacing the lid each time.
Simmer and Cook: Continue simmering and cooking as directed for flat dumplings, about 20 minutes, or until the drop dumplings are cooked through and puffy.

⭐ Essential Tip for Perfect Dumplings

The key to perfectly cooked dumplings, whether flat or drop, is to keep the lid on the pot while they simmer. Trapping the steam inside ensures that the dumplings cook evenly and thoroughly. Many home cooks encounter issues with undercooked dumplings, and often, the lid is the missing piece! To check for doneness, simply remove one dumpling, cut it open, and ensure the dough is cooked through and not doughy in the center. Avoid stirring the dumplings vigorously, as this can cause them to break apart. Instead, gently use a wooden spoon to push them under the broth if needed, but avoid stirring.

Serving Suggestions: Complete the Comfort Meal

To make this Pioneer Woman style chicken and dumplings meal even more satisfying, consider serving it with classic Southern side dishes. We highly recommend pairing it with fried hoecakes for a touch of sweetness and Southern-style green beans and potatoes for a balanced and complete comfort food feast.

Recipe Variations: Make it Your Own

Like any great home-style recipe, there’s room to customize this chicken and dumplings to your liking:

Vegetable Boost: Add more vegetables to the broth. Sauté diced carrots and onions in a little butter or oil for 4-5 minutes before adding them to the broth for extra flavor and nutrition. Peas or corn can also be added towards the end of cooking.
Spice it Up: Experiment with different spices and herbs. Garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, parsley, or a pinch of poultry seasoning can all enhance the flavor profile.
Turkey Dumplings: Make this dish with leftover turkey instead of chicken! It’s a fantastic way to use up Thanksgiving turkey and creates a delicious variation perfect for the colder months.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken and Dumplings

What if I don’t have self-rising flour?
No self-rising flour on hand? No problem! You can easily make your own self-rising flour with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. A quick online search will provide easy instructions.

What exactly is shortening, and why is it used?
Shortening is any fat that is solid at room temperature. Crisco is a popular brand of shortening, and lard is another traditional option. Shortening is used in dumplings to create a soft, tender texture that’s simply irresistible.

Can I substitute something for Cream of Chicken soup?
While cream of chicken soup is recommended for that classic flavor, if you prefer to avoid canned soups, you can make your own cream of chicken soup from scratch. There are many recipes available online for homemade condensed cream soups that are free from additives and preservatives.

Why are my dumplings tough?
Tough dumplings are usually a result of overworking the dough. Be gentle when mixing the dough, and avoid kneading it excessively. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tougher dumplings.

😍 More Old-Fashioned Comfort Food Recipes to Explore

If you love the comforting flavors of this Pioneer Woman inspired chicken and dumplings recipe, be sure to check out these other classic, old-fashioned recipes:

Cathead Biscuits: These oversized, fluffy biscuits are a Southern staple, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. A truly comforting bread to complement any meal.

Blackberry Dumplings: For a sweet dumpling treat, try blackberry dumplings! This dessert is a family favorite and a wonderful way to enjoy fresh or frozen blackberries.

Amish Pasta Salad: A creamy, flavorful pasta salad that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a simple side dish. This recipe is popular for a reason!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Chicken and dumplings are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally to break up the soup. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up as the dumplings will absorb some of the liquid. Microwaving is also an option, heating in 20-30 second intervals until warmed through. Keep in mind that the texture of the dumplings will change slightly upon reheating as they will have continued to absorb broth, but the delicious flavor will remain!

Freezing for Later

While freezing is possible, be aware that the texture of the dumplings will be affected. The flavor will still be delicious, but the dumplings may become softer. If freezing, store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

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Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Card

By Judy Yeager

This Easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

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 cooked chicken or turkey, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
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 the chicken/broth ingredients in a soup pot and bring to a boil.
Cover and reduce to a simmer.

Dumpling Instructions

Pour 2 cups self-rising flour into a large bowl. Cut in 1/4 cup shortening with a pastry blender or fork.
Add 3/4 cup boiling water a little at a time until dough forms a ball.
Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness on a floured surface.
Cut into strips, then squares (for flat dumplings).
Remove lid from pot and add dumplings, a few at a time, to the boiling broth. Replace lid for 30 seconds after each addition.
Once all dumplings are added, reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For Drop Dumplings

For drop dumplings, skip rolling. Pinch off pieces of dough and drop directly into simmering broth.

Video

[Link to Video if available]

Keyword: Chicken and Dumplings, Easy

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