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Cozy One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings: 30-Min Comfort Food

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A quick and easy one-pot chicken and dumplings recipe that delivers rich, soul-warming comfort food in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish features tender chicken, a creamy savory broth, and fluffy steamed dumplings without the hassle of multiple pots.

Ingredients

  • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or rotisserie chicken)
  • Unsalted butter
  • Onion, finely diced
  • Celery, finely diced
  • Garlic, freshly minced
  • Low-sodium chicken broth
  • Heavy cream
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Milk (whole milk preferred)
  • Dried thyme
  • Dried parsley
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Oil (for searing raw chicken)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: If using raw thighs, pat dry, season with salt and pepper, and sear in a large pot with oil/butter over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside. If using rotisserie chicken, shred it and set aside.
  2. Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add butter if needed, then sauté diced onion and celery for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Build the broth: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pot to release browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer. If using raw chicken, return it to the pot now.
  4. Simmer the stew: Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes until raw chicken is cooked through (165°F). Remove chicken, shred it, discard skin/bones, and return meat to the pot. Adjust heat to low simmer.
  5. Make dumpling dough: In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk until a soft, sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
  6. Cook dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of dough directly into the simmering stew. Do not stir. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low. Steam for 10 minutes without lifting the lid. Check for doneness; cook 2-3 minutes more if doughy.
  7. Final seasoning and serve: Remove lid, taste broth, and adjust salt/pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not stir the dumplings once they are in the pot, as this breaks them apart and makes the stew cloudy. Ensure the broth is at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, when adding dumplings. The dough should be sticky, not dry. For best results, use fresh baking powder. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; add liquid when reheating as dumplings absorb broth. The stew base can be frozen for up to 3 months (without dumplings).

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken and dumplings, one pot meal, comfort food, quick dinner, weeknight meals, easy recipe, cozy food, dumplings, chicken stew

Find it online: https://livelybite.com/cozy-one-pot-chicken-and-dumplings-30-min-comfort-food/