Granny’s Country Kitchen Chicken and Dumplings
Classic Southern comfort food featuring tender chicken simmered in a savory broth with fluffy homemade dumplings. This american-inspired comfort food ready in about 80 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, sliced celery stalks, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp, plus more for seasoning salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp, melted butter
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 4 bone-in chicken thighs, 2 sliced carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks, 1 diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 6 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 2: While the chicken simmers, prepare dumplings by whisking together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Stir in 1 cup whole milk, 3 tbsp melted butter, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves until a soft dough forms.
- Step 3: Remove chicken from broth and shred meat, discarding bones. Return shredded chicken to the pot and bring broth back to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter into the simmering broth, spacing them evenly. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid, until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
- Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper and additional salt to taste. Serve hot with vegetables and dumplings in bowl.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Granny’s Country Kitchen Chicken and Dumplings take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Granny’s Country Kitchen Chicken and Dumplings?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Granny’s Country Kitchen Chicken and Dumplings?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Granny’s Country Kitchen Chicken and Dumplings for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Granny’s Country Kitchen Chicken and Dumplings?
American comfort food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
