Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

There Is No Recipe Like Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken and Dumplings

There is no recipe that validates your southernest quite like Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken and Dumplings Recipe. First, I do want to say that all chicken and dumplings in its many forms are great — whether it’s biscuits and cream soup, peas and carrots, or other variations. But nothing feels like home and a warm hug quite like this simple recipe.

You may look at it and say, “Where are all the ingredients?” Don’t let that fool ya. This one-pot meal with simple ingredients will have you eating the whole pot — no fuss, just comfort and flavor the way Southern cooks know it best.

The Heart of the Dish: The Chicken and Broth

For that true old-fashioned flavor, starting with a fresh uncooked whole chicken is best. This is where all the deep rich flavor develops in the broth made from the chicken itself. You can cook the raw chicken in plain water, but using chicken broth or a bouillon base will add even more taste.

If you’re working with chicken parts, make sure the bones and skins stay intact because they are essential for building a broth full of flavor and body. Don’t worry about deboning now, we will get to that step later.

Using Store-Bought Chicken Is No Problem

If you’re short on time, using a store-bought pre-cooked chicken can work too. Just simmer it in a good quality chicken broth until the meat is tender and flavorful. This shortcut still gives you a delicious hearty meal, though it won’t quite match the depth of flavor you get from scratch.

You Won’t Believe How Easy This Classic Comfort Food Is!

Think this kind of comfort food takes hours and a million ingredients? Think again! I’m breaking it down step-by-step so you can have a warm, satisfying meal on the table with zero stress. Grab a seat and let’s get cooking — you’re gonna want to eat this straight from the pot!

Embracing Simplicity with Southern Cooking

Don’t be alarmed by the minimal ingredients — true Southern food doesn’t need a lot to taste great. This is why I love this recipe so much. The flavors from the chicken and broth naturally season the dumplings, creating a comforting and delicious dish. The creaminess and softness of the dumplings make every bite feel like a warm hug.

For an extra punch of flavor, you can cook the chicken in chicken broth and add a little thyme. Just remember, with thyme a little goes a long way. Either way, this dish will have your taste buds singing. All you really need is a nice sized onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. If you want a little herbaceousness, adding thyme or a small bay leaf works well. I’m not on team do too much when it comes to this classic dish.

My Go-To Pot and Handy Shredder
I love making this in a nice heavy Dutch oven—it holds heat beautifully and gives the broth a good, steady simmer. If you prefer shredded chicken, a meat shredder tool works perfectly. It makes pulling apart the chicken quick and clean, especially when it's still warm. Between the pot and the shredder, this dish practically makes itself.

Just So You Know
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Keeping It Classic with Flat Dumplings

For my dumplings, I’m all about the classic flat dumplings, way less work than biscuits, lol. These are the quintessential dumplings for this dish. The texture creates a little pillow of flavor in your mouth and also adds that creamy richness to the broth. While your chicken is cooking, go ahead and start on the dumplings so they have time to rest and develop flavor.

I keep the dumpling recipe separate because I use these flat dumplings in a bunch of recipes, not just this one. If you want to check it out, here’s the link: Authentic Southern Flat Dumplings.

Choosing Your Chicken and Perfecting the Texture

Texture is important to me, so I like to keep the chicken pieces chunky for a satisfying bite. But if you prefer, you can shred the meat however you like. After your chicken has simmered, take it out and debone it. It should actually fall right off the bone. Be careful though, it will be hot! You can always wait until it cools down a bit. Set the chicken aside while you cook the dumplings because you’ll be adding it back into the broth soon.

You don’t even have to dust off the flour from the dumplings before dropping them into that seasoned broth. Let everything simmer until the dumplings are tender. It should create a nice creamy broth once it’s done. If you want it a little thicker, a small sprinkle of corn flour or regular flour can help — but just a little.

Wrapping It All Up

Old-fashioned Southern chicken and dumplings is one of those meals that brings everything to a pause — in the best way. It’s simple, filling, and full of comfort. This dish is more than just something warm in a bowl — it’s a memory-maker. If you want to round out the meal, serve it with some skillet cornbread, collard greens, or even just a spoonful of cranberry sauce on the side. And if you're like me, maybe a glass of sweet tea too.

Thanks for hanging out with me today — I hope this recipe brings some love to your table. If you try it, let me know in the comments or tag me so I can see your pot! And if you’re still hungry, stick around and check out more cozy recipes right here on Everyday Dana.