Looking for the perfect comfort food to enjoy on Christmas Eve? Look no further than this delicious and easy-to-make Chicken and Dumplings recipe! Packed with great flavors and hearty ingredients, this dish is sure to become a family favorite for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- The flavors in this dish are rich and comforting, perfect for warming up on a cold winter night.
- With quick prep time, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or even meal prep for the week ahead.
- The creamy texture and tender chicken make this dish a satisfying and filling meal option.
Ingredient Notes:
- Olive oil: Adds a nice depth of flavor to the dish.
- Bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs: Provides a juicy and tender meat base.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Yellow onion, carrots, celery, garlic: These aromatic vegetables add layers of flavor to the dish.
- Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce: Enhances the savory and spicy notes in the dish.
- Flour, chicken broth, half and half: Create a creamy and thick sauce base.
- Frozen peas: Add a pop of color and sweetness to the dish.
- Various seasonings: Create a well-balanced and flavorful profile for the dish.
- Dumplings: Made with flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, sugar, sour cream, milk, and butter for a fluffy and delicious addition.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil and season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken on both sides and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter and sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and flour until combined.
- Gradually pour in chicken broth and half and half, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Add chicken back to the pot, along with peas and seasonings. Simmer until chicken is cooked through.
- In a separate bowl, mix together dumpling ingredients until just combined. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the simmering pot and cover. Cook until dumplings are cooked through.
Helpful Tips:
- For extra flavor, try using homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought.
- To make this dish vegetarian, swap the chicken for mushrooms or tofu for a different twist.
- Leftover chicken and dumplings can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Don’t overmix the dumpling batter to ensure light and fluffy dumplings.
- For a thicker sauce, mix in a slurry of flour and water towards the end of cooking.
- Use fresh herbs for a more vibrant flavor in the dish.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this Chicken and Dumplings dish with a side of buttered cornbread and a crisp green salad for a well-rounded meal. Pair with a glass of white wine or sparkling cider for a festive touch.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
To store leftovers, transfer the dish to an airtight container and refrigerate. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to revive the flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use pre-made dumplings instead of making them from scratch? Yes, you can use store-bought biscuit dough as a shortcut.
- Can I freeze this dish for later? While the dumplings may lose some texture, you can freeze this dish for up to 3 months.
- Can I use a slow cooker for this recipe? Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker by adjusting cooking times accordingly.
Conclusion:
Warm up your Christmas Eve with this comforting and delicious Chicken and Dumplings recipe. Easy to make and packed with flavor, this dish is sure to become a family favorite for any occasion. Give it a try and share your feedback with us!
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Perfect Chicken and Dumplings for Christmas Eve
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in a warm and comforting bowl of chicken and dumplings, perfect for a cozy Christmas Eve dinner. Tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a creamy broth make this dish a holiday favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lbs. bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs
- Salt/Pepper, to taste
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 2 sticks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/3 cup flour
- 4 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube, optional
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- ¾ cup frozen peas
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- Dumplings
- 2 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¾ cup cold sour cream
- ¼ cup cold milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear in a pot with olive oil until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Make Base: In the same pot, melt butter and sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and flour. Cook until golden.
- Add Liquid: Pour in chicken broth, half and half, and seasonings. Add chicken back to the pot. Simmer until chicken is cooked through.
- Make Dumplings: Mix dry ingredients for dumplings. Stir in wet ingredients to form a dough. Drop spoonfuls into the pot.
- Finish Dish: Cover and cook for 15 minutes until dumplings are cooked. Stir in peas. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can use a combination of chicken breast and thighs for added flavor.
- Feel free to customize the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg