Description
A comforting and creamy chicken stew topped with soft homemade dumplings, perfect for a hearty family dinner. This classic American dish combines tender shredded chicken, vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth to create a warming, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Stew:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add Herbs and Flour: Stir in dried thyme and rosemary. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the cooked vegetables and stir well to coat them evenly, which helps to thicken the stew later.
- Add Liquids: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Add the milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring often until the stew thickens, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Chicken and Peas: Stir in the cooked, shredded chicken along with the frozen peas. Season the stew with salt and black pepper according to taste.
- Prepare Dumpling Batter: Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, melted butter, and milk. Stir the ingredients until just combined; be careful not to overmix to keep the dumplings light and tender.
- Add Dumplings to Stew: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter over the simmering stew. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time to ensure the dumplings cook properly and puff up.
- Finish and Serve: Once the dumplings are cooked through and puffed, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve the creamy chicken stew and dumplings hot for a cozy meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked turkey for chicken if preferred.
- For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream to the stew just before serving.
- Be careful not to overmix the dumpling batter to keep them fluffy.
- Do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking to ensure they rise properly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
