How to make chicken and dumplings without chicken broth

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings is a super simple recipe. Flat strips of dough simmered in a yummy broth with tender chicken.

HOMESTYLE COMFORT FOOD

There really is no other recipe that screams comfort food quite like chicken and dumplings. This meal will warm up and comfort any soul on a cold winter's day! Want an easier version, be sure to check out my Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OLD-FASHIONED CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS:

Can I use chicken things or other dark meat?

Absolutely! Use whatever cut of chicken you and your family enjoy! You could even purchase a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make this a little faster to prepare.

What can I serve with Chicken and Dumplings?

Personally, I like to serve with some sort of FRENCH BREAD or BISCUITS. If you want some more veggies with your meal, you could serve with a side salad or GREEN BEANS.

What is a "flat" dumpling?

For those of you who didn't grow up eating this style of Chicken and Dumplings - then you may have eaten it at a place like Cracker Barrel. A lot of us grew up eating CHICKEN & DROP DUMPLINGS. Flat dumplings are very basic and are meant to soak up the flavors of the broth. It's an easy, comforting homestyle meal.

Can I add vegetables to chicken and dumplings?

You certainly could. This particular version of chicken and dumplings usually does not have any vegetables added but you certainly could throw in some peas and carrots if you prefer.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

• chicken broth
• all purpose flour
• baking powder
• salted butter
• milk

Time needed: 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Cook the chicken

   Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Drizzle a little olive oil on the 2-3 chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper. Bake for about 45 minutes.

   

2. Start preparing the dumplings

   Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks. Or, you can put it into a stand mixer and have it do the work for you. Pour 2 quarts of chicken stock or broth into a large pot and start warming it up on the stovetop while you make the dumplings. In a medium bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Then add in cold cubed butter.

   

3. Cut butter into flour

   You can combine it all using a fork or a pastry cutter or your fingers. Just smoosh the butter between your fingers while you gradually mix it in with the flour mixture.

   

4. Roll out dumpling dough

   Now pour in the milk. You want to measure out a little less than a cup. Mix it all together. Dust your counter with a generous amount of flour. Place your dumpling dough on the counter and dust it with more flour. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to about ¼" thickness. Be sure to add flour as necessary to keep it from sticking underneath or to your rolling pin.

   

5. Cut out dumpling shapes

   Using a knife or a pizza cutter, start cutting out your dumplings into squares. They don't need to be perfectly shaped. Remember, this dish is rustic and homemade so it should look like it. Dust your dumplings with a bit more flour. The extra flour is all gonna help keep them from sticking but will also thicken your chicken broth some as well when you add them to the pot.

6. Warm up broth and chicken

   Bring the chicken broth up to a boil. Add in the shredded chicken and stir.

   

7. Begin adding dumplings to the pot

   Begin adding dumplings one at a time so they don't all stick together. Stir frequently while adding them.

   

8. Let dumplings cook

   Allow dumplings to cook for about 15-20 minutes. You should notice your broth starting to thicken (from the extra flour) and your dumplings may start to sink a little to the bottom because they are soaking up the broth. Take one out and taste test it. It shouldn't have a doughy taste anymore.

   

9. Serve it up

   Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls and serve! Happiness and comfort in a bowl!

   

CRAVING MORE COMFORT FOOD RECIPES. CHECK THESE OUT!

• ▢ 3 cups chicken (about 2-3 chicken breasts)
• ▢ 2 quarts chicken broth
• ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 2 tablespoon cold salted butter, cubed
• ▢ 1 cup milk
• ▢ 2 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ salt and pepper, to taste

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

• Place chicken breast on the baking sheet and Drizzle a little olive oil on the chicken and season with salt and pepper.

• Bake chicken for about 45 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks.

• Pour 2 quarts of chicken stock or broth into a large pot and start warming it up on the stove top while you make the dumplings..

• In a medium bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Then add in cubed butter.

• Combine using your fingers, fork or pastry cutter.

• Pour in the milk. Mix it all together.

• Dust your counter with a generous amount of flour. Place dumpling dough on the counter and dust it with more flour.

• With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to about ¼" thickness. Be sure to add flour as necessary to keep it from sticking underneath or to your rolling pin.

• Using a knife or a pizza cutter, start cutting out your dumplings into squares.

• Dust dumplings with a bit more flour. The extra flour is all gonna help keep them from sticking but will also thicken your chicken broth some as well when you add them to the pot.

• Bring chicken broth up to a boil. Add in shredded chicken and stir.

• Begin adding dumplings one at a time so they don't all stick together. Stir frequently while adding them.

• Allow dumplings to cook for about 15-20 minutes. You should notice your broth starting to thicken (from the extra flour) and your dumplings may start to sink a little to the bottom because they are soaking up the broth.

• Take one out and taste test it. It shouldn't have a doughy taste anymore.

• Use whatever cut of chicken you and your family enjoy. Chicken thighs are a great alternative.  You could even purchase a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make this a little faster to prepare.
• This particular version of chicken and dumplings usually does not have any vegetables added but you certainly could throw in some peas and carrots if you prefer.
• I like to serve this with FRENCH BREAD or BISCUITS. If you want some more veggies with your meal, you could serve with a side salad or GREEN BEANS.

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1246mg | Potassium: 499mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 3.1mg

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Originally published: April 2012
Updated and republished: October 2020