Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
A timeless comfort dish featuring juicy chicken simmered in a savory broth, topped with flaky, herb-infused dumplings. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 100 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, medium, diced onions, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 2 lbs, bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 medium, diced onions
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp, fresh or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaves
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 package (16 oz) dumpling dough
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 diced onions, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 peeled carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp thyme.
- Step 2: Add 2 lbs chicken thighs and 4 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper to form a smooth dough. Drop spoonfuls into the simmering broth, adjusting the pot's heat to medium-low.
- Step 4: Cook for 15-20 minutes until dumplings rise and float to the surface. Serve with a side of crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (25 min prep + 75 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 Old Fashioned 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 Old Fashioned 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 Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Old Fashioned 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many chicken recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 75-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
