Johnson's Hearty Chicken and Dumplings

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken pieces and pillowy dumplings swimming in a savory broth, made with simple pantry staples for weeknight ease. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 3.9 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry, season with 1 tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook 3-4 more minutes. Transfer to plate.
  2. Step 2: Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to pot. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until vegetables soften. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in remaining 1 tbsp flour, then pour in chicken broth. Return chicken to pot with juices, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: While chicken simmers, whisk 1 cup flour, baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in a bowl. Stir in milk until soft dough forms (do not overmix).
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken from pot, shred meat, discarding skin/bones. Return to pot with peas and corn. Stir gently.
  6. Step 6: Drop spoonfuls of dough (about 1 tbsp each) onto simmering broth, spacing apart. Cover and cook 15 minutes without lifting lid until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.
  7. Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Johnson's Hearty Chicken and Dumplings take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Johnson's Hearty 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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Johnson's Hearty 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 Johnson's Hearty 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 Johnson's Hearty Chicken and Dumplings?

American chicken 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.

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