Description

Feather Dumplings for Chicken and Dumplings are the ultimate comfort food! Tender chicken in a rich, savory broth pairs with fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings for a cozy meal that warms the heart and soul. Perfect for family dinners or chilly evenings, this classic dish is both easy to make and endlessly satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Broth:

1 whole chicken (3–4 lbs), cut into pieces
8 cups chicken broth
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Feather Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
3/4 cup whole milk (or buttermilk for extra fluffiness)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Broth

In a large pot, combine chicken, chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45–60 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Remove chicken, shred the meat, and discard bones and skin. Strain broth if desired. Return shredded chicken to the pot and season with salt and black pepper.

Step 2: Make the Dumpling Dough
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Cut in cold butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Stir in milk gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep dumplings tender.

Step 3: Cook the Dumplings
7. Bring the broth back to a gentle simmer.
8. Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough into the simmering broth, leaving space between each dumpling.
9. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes without lifting the lid.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
10. Ladle chicken, broth, and dumplings into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot!

Notes

Use chilled butter for fluffy dumplings.
Don’t overmix the dough to avoid dense dumplings.
Keep the lid closed while the dumplings cook to ensure maximum fluffiness.
For a twist, add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or dill to the dumpling dough.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 320
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 700mg

Keywords: Feather dumplings, chicken and dumplings, comfort food recipe