I’m thoroughly obsessed with this chicken and dumplings recipe. This is some serious comfort food. We’re talking tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich gravy, a medley of colorful vegetables, topped with tender, fluffy, and flavorful dumplings. This recipe is so cozy that eating a bowl of these homemade chicken and dumplings feels like being wrapped up in a big warm hug. And the best part? It’s made 100% from scratch. Ugh, brb, I need to go make another batch because my mouth is WATERING.
Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, evoking memories of home and bringing warmth to body and soul. But this southern classic is so much more than just chicken and dough The key to transforming this dish into a culinary masterpiece lies in the seasoning
I will talk about the basic seasonings that make chicken and dumplings taste great, as well as some creative ways that you can change the taste to suit your own tastes. Seasoning, such as fragrant herbs and tasty spices, is what turns this dish from plain to beautiful. So let’s dive in!.
The Soulful Trinity: Essential Seasonings for Chicken and Dumplings
The core seasonings that create the quintessential flavor of chicken and dumplings are
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Salt and Pepper: Don’t underestimate the power of salt and pepper. Salt enhances and balances all the other flavors. Freshly ground black pepper adds warmth and a subtle spicy aroma.
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Poultry seasoning is a mix of herbs like thyme, sage, marjoram, and rosemary that gives chicken and dumplings their unique taste. You can make your own or use a store-bought blend.
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Onion Powder: Onion powder provides a sweet, aromatic base note that complements the other seasonings perfectly.
Let’s look at each of these essentials in a bit more detail.
Salt and Pepper – The Foundation
Seasoning properly with salt and pepper is the first crucial step for any savory dish. Salt enhances natural flavors and makes them “pop”. Pepper adds warmth, spice, and a subtle floral aroma.
For chicken and dumplings, be generous with the salt and pepper when seasoning the raw chicken as well as the finished dish. Taste and adjust until the flavors are nicely balanced. Freshly ground pepper is always best.
Poultry Seasoning – The Secret Weapon
Poultry seasoning is the MVP of chicken and dumplings, providing the characteristic flavor profile. The blend typically contains:
- Thyme – Earthy, lemony, minty
- Sage – Savory, peppery, warm
- Marjoram – Floral, sweet, and complex
- Rosemary – Piney, robust, slightly bitter
Use about 1-2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning per pound of chicken. Rub it into the raw chicken along with salt and pepper before cooking. You can also add it directly to the broth for more flavor.
Making your own blend allows you to adjust the quantities and use fresh herbs. Store-bought seasoning is very convenient though.
Onion Powder – The Aromatic
Onion powder rounds out the main seasonings perfectly by adding a sweet and fragrant note. Use about 1 teaspoon per pound of chicken.
For even more flavor, sautéing finely chopped fresh onion in the pot first is another great idea.
Customizing Your Chicken and Dumplings
Once you’ve mastered the essential trio of salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning, it’s time for some creativity. Here are some additional herbs, spices, and ingredients to elevate your chicken and dumplings.
- Garlic – Fresh or powdered, adds savory depth
- Smoked Paprika – Adds subtle smokiness and rich color
- Bay Leaves – Infuse the broth with herbal aroma
- Celery Seed – Provides an earthy, savory note
- Carrots, Celery, Onion – Mirepoix adds complexity
- Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano – Fresh herbs intensify flavors
- Cayenne or Red Pepper Flakes – For extra heat and zing
- Nutmeg – A pinch for warmth and sweetness
Start with conservative amounts of these add-ins and adjust to taste. Their impact on flavor can vary greatly.
Pro Tip: Infuse oils or butter with fresh herbs, then use for cooking carrots, celery, and onion to start the broth. This adds a ton of flavor!
Perfecting Your Technique
Proper technique is just as important as ingredients when making chicken and dumplings. Follow these tips to draw out maximum flavor:
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Season the raw chicken – Rub salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning or other herbs into the chicken before cooking for extra flavor infusion.
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Sauté aromatics first – Cooking onion, carrots, celery etc. before adding the chicken builds a richer base.
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Simmer slowly – Low and slow simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
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Skim the fat – For clearer, more concentrated broth.
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Adjust seasoning at the end – Taste and tweak salt, pepper, herbs right before serving.
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Make infused oils/butters – Sauté your aromatics in oil or butter infused with fresh herbs.
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Season every component – Flavor the broth, chicken, aromatics, AND dumplings for maximum impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seasoning Chicken and Dumplings
Here are answers to some common questions about seasoning this delightful southern dish:
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs?
Absolutely! Fresh herbs contain essential oils that provide a brighter, more vibrant flavor. Use about 3 times as much fresh herbs as dried. Add them towards the end to preserve their flavor.
What if I don’t have poultry seasoning?
No problem! Make your own blend with equal parts dried thyme, sage, marjoram, and rosemary. Or use a simple mix of salt, pepper, onion powder, thyme and sage.
How much seasoning should I use?
As a general rule of thumb:
- 1-2 tsp salt
- 1/2 to 1 tsp pepper
- 1-2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
Per pound of chicken. Adjust to taste.
Can I add heat like cayenne or red pepper flakes?
For sure! Add a pinch of cayenne, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to give it a little kick.
Should I season the chicken before cooking?
Absolutely! Generously seasoning the raw chicken helps the flavor permeate the meat. Use salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs you like.
What if my dumplings turn out bland?
Season the dumpling dough itself before cooking! Many people overlook this step. Add salt, pepper, herbs, and even garlic powder or parmesan cheese to the dough for flavor.
Craft Your Own Legendary Chicken and Dumplings
With the essential seasonings down and some creativity, you can craft your own legendary chicken and dumplings. Play with different herb and spice blends until you find your perfect balance.
The beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility. Make it your own! Stay cozy my friends.
Tips for Fluffy Dumplings
- Make sure the dumpling batter is moist enough. It should be a soft, sticky, scoopable dough. The dumplings won’t be able to puff up as much if it’s too dry.
- Make sure the gravy is simmering before adding the dumplings. The dumplings need the steam from the gravy that is simmering to cook and rise.
- Keep the lid on the pot while the dumplings are cooking. This will keep the steam in and make sure they cook all the way around.
- Don’t make the dumplings too big. Dumplings that are bigger will take longer to cook because they will double in size.
Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious chicken and dumplings recipe:
- Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they stay moist and tender no matter how long you cook them. This recipe is foolproof. If you’d rather not use chicken breast, just make sure the chicken doesn’t get too done.
- Vegetables: Onion, garlic, carrot, and celery make up the vegetables. They give the gravy its flavor and give the dish a lot of color and texture.
- Butter and Flour: A roux made of butter and flour sets the gravy and gives the dish a lot of rich flavor.
- Herbs: Sage, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and pepper give this chicken and dumplings recipe a classic chicken soup flavor that makes it extra warm and cozy.
- Chicken Broth and Milk: The gravy has a lot of flavor and a smooth finish because it is made with both broth and milk.
- For the dumplings, all you need is flour, milk, melted butter, herbs, baking powder, salt, and sugar. They come together in minutes with very little mixing required!.
We make these chicken and dumplings with “drop biscuit” style dumplings, but you can try a few other kinds too. Here are some popular options for chicken and dumplings:
- Biscuits Already Made: To save time, you can buy biscuits that are already baked and put them on top of the gravy that is simmering. Then, steam them until they are fully cooked.
- Biscuit Mix: For the biscuit/dumpling topping, skip making the biscuits from scratch below and use a biscuit mix that’s already been made, like Bisquick.
- Thick Noodles: You can either make your own thick noodles, also known as “sliders,” to cook in the gravy, or you can buy dried “dumpling noodles” that are already made. If you use dried noodles, you might need to add an extra cup of broth to help them soak up the liquid.