Southern Chicken and Dumplings
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This Southern Chicken and Dumplings is a true classic comfort food. Made from scratch, these easy to make buttermilk dumplings are tender and the soup is loaded with shredded chicken and vegetables in a beautifully seasoned broth.
Southern Chicken and Dumplings
An all-in-one dinner that is rich in flavor and quite filling.
Sometimes I am in the mood for a warm soothing soup and one of my favorite crackers to throw on top are Cheez-Its. I just love the cheesy flavor and they hold up on the crunch factor.
Then there are times when I want a tender dumpling. Like these delicious buttermilk dumplings. Can’t get any more Southern than that.
I like to add poultry seasoning to my dry ingredients for an extra flavor punch, feel free to omit or add your favorite seasoning.
Crisco is my go to lard for pastry making, but trust me, bacon fat works beautifully here as well.
The tender dough is made in a flash and with a quick roll out the dough is cut into 2 inch squares and dropped into the boiling broth to puff up and cook.
The chicken broth is made by cooking a whole chicken with some aromatics and spices.
I allow it to cool shred the chicken meat and discard those bones and the skin. Buh-bye, thanks for coming.
Fresh tender pieces of carrots, celery and onion are laced throughout tender delicious puffed seasoned dumplings and chicken. A slight tang from the buttermilk and the poultry seasoning compliments the broth well.
True Southern comfort food in a bowl.
For other comforting soups try my Cream of Broccoli Soup with Chicken, Beef and Barley Soup, Shrimp Posole Verde, or this Potato Cheeseburger Soup. Enjoy!
Southern Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
Soup
- 3 lb whole chicken
- 4 celery stalks chopped
- 2 medium carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 2 1/2 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 tsp tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp turmeric
- 8 cups water
Dumplings
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 3 tbsp vegetable shortening (lard, I use Crisco)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp Tabasco hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Place whole chicken, vegetables, bay leaves, parsley, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, pepper and turmeric in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
- Carefully remove chicken from pot. When cool enough to handle remove meat from bones, discarding the skin and bones. Shred the chicken meat and set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl combine flour, baking soda, poultry seasoning and remaining salt.
- Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut shortening into flour until it resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk and with your hand mix until dry ingredients are moistened and the dough holds together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead 4 to 5 times. Roll out to 1/4" to 1/2" thickness (I prefer them thick and do 1/2" thickness as shown here).
- Bring chicken broth and vegetables to a boil and pinch off or cut dough in 2" pieces and add to the boiling broth (See Note 1). Reduce heat to medium and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, covered.
- Add hot sauce if using and stir to combine. Stir in reserved chicken and season to taste before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and ladle into bowls.
Notes
- I use a fluted pastry wheel or pastry crimper to cut the dough into strips and then cut across into 2 inch squares. (see photo)
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Thank you Kevin for a great recipe! I was looking for a recipe which started with a whole chicken, and this one sounded yummy. I was very happy with the results! As with most recipes, I altered it slightly as I didn’t have everything on hand. I used heavy cream for the dumplings instead of buttermilk, and threw in a few garlic cloves…just because I love garlic 🙂 This is a recipe I will definitely make again! Thanks so much!
So happy you found me, gave this a try and enjoyed it Julie!
This is one of our favorite fall/winter dishes Kevin! Such a great comfort food dish. Looks delicious!
Thanks Mary Ann, it’s one of those classic Southern meals that always hits the comfort food spot!
I’ve got this excess of bacon fat in my fridge that is just dying to become these delicious dumplings. I haven’t made chicken and dumplings in so long, this sounds delish!
Gold mine! I love your thinking Danielle. 🙂
Nothing better than classic comfort food! Loving this, Kevin!
Thank you Annie and congrats again on your half-marathon dream! 🙂
Hey Kevin! Homemade chicken noodle soup was always what I made at the first sign that my kids were getting sick. There is something magically healing about it! I’ve always made dropped dumplings, but I will definitely make Southern style next time. I like to add thyme to the dumplings.
Always so soothing, right Dorothy?! I add poultry seasoning (it has thyme) and love the herb touch. Have a wonderful weekend!