Hearty Joanna Gaines Chicken and Dumplings Recipe for Family

Joanna Gaines’s chicken and dumplings dance across the palate like a culinary love letter to Southern comfort.

Her recipe breathes life into simple ingredients, creating a soul-warming masterpiece.

Tender chicken nestles among cloud-like dumplings, swimming in a silky broth that whispers tales of family gatherings.

Each spoonful carries the weight of generations, wrapped in a blanket of nostalgia and home-cooked goodness.

The magic lies in its simplicity, transforming humble components into a feast that hugs you from the inside.

Robust flavors and hearty textures promise a meal that feeds not just hunger, but memory itself.

Let’s savor a classic that turns dinner into an emotional journey.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 525 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Joanna Gaines’ Chicken and Dumplings

• Onion: Select firm, smooth bulbs without soft spots for robust flavor.
• Carrots: Choose bright orange, crisp roots with smooth skin.
• Celery Stalks: Pick firm, bright green stalks with fresh, leafy tops.
• Garlic: Look for tight, unblemished bulbs with no green sprouts.

• Chicken Broth: Select low-sodium versions for better seasoning control.
• Half-and-Half: Opt for fresh, high-quality dairy for creamy texture.
• Milk: Use whole milk for richer consistency.
• Sour Cream: Select full-fat variety for enhanced tangy flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Pick unbleached flour for better dumpling texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Ensure fresh, unexpired leavening agents.
• Salt, Garlic Powder, Sugar: Choose pure, high-quality versions.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Hot Sauce: Select preferred brands for personalized heat.
• Chicken Bouillon: Pick low-sodium option for balanced seasoning.

• Cooked Chicken: Use tender, shredded meat for consistent texture.
• Frozen Peas: Select bright green, frost-free peas.
• Fresh Parsley: Choose vibrant, crisp leaves for final touch.

Tools Required for Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

• Large pot: Perfect for building rich soup base and cooking entire dish.
• Wooden spoon: Essential for stirring vegetables and preventing sticking.
• Cutting board: Helps chop onions, carrots, and celery smoothly.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and herb cutting.
• Measuring cups: Accurate measurements for flour, broth, and liquid ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Precise seasoning and dry ingredient portioning.
• Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for preparing dumpling dough mixture.
• Whisk: Blends dry ingredients and creates smooth dumpling batter.
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Helps form uniform dumpling portions.
• Toothpick: Checks dumpling doneness and ensures proper cooking.
• Tight-fitting lid: Steams dumplings perfectly and traps moisture.

Steps to Cook Joanna Gaines’ Chicken and Dumplings

• Launch Flavor Foundations

Heat butter in a large pot, creating a delicious aromatic base. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened and fragrant. Toss in garlic, splash of Worcestershire sauce, and your favorite spices, stirring to blend flavors thoroughly.

• Build Creamy Soup Structure

Dust vegetables with flour and cook briefly to remove raw flour taste. Pour chicken broth slowly, whisking constantly to create smooth consistency. Blend in half-and-half and frozen peas, bringing mixture to gentle simmer.

• Create Dumpling Magic

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, ensuring even distribution of baking powder and seasonings. Fold in sour cream, milk, and melted butter until just combined, forming light and fluffy dumpling batter.

• Combine Protein And Dough

Reintroduce cooked chicken to simmering soup. Carefully drop dumpling mixture across soup surface using a spoon, allowing each dollop to nestle gently into liquid.

• Steam And Perfection

Cover pot and let dumplings steam quietly. Check doneness after 15 minutes by inserting toothpick – it should emerge clean. Allow dumplings to become pillowy and tender.

• Serve With Love

Garnish with fresh parsley, creating a vibrant final touch. Ladle steaming soup into bowls, ready to comfort and delight.

Tips & Variations for Chicken and Dumplings

• Customize Dumpling Texture: Experiment with different flour types like whole wheat or gluten-free blends to create unique dumpling consistencies that match your dietary needs.
• Boost Protein Power: Swap chicken for rotisserie turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based protein alternatives to add variety and keep the dish exciting for different meal preferences.
• Vegetable Remix: Sneak in extra vegetables like diced zucchini, spinach, or butternut squash to increase nutritional value and create a more colorful soup base.
• Spice It Up: Introduce regional flavor profiles by adding smoked paprika, dried thyme, or a dash of cayenne pepper to transform the classic recipe into a bold, memorable dish.

How to Serve Chicken and Dumplings by Joanna Gaines

• Garnish with Green Goodness: Sprinkle fresh parsley or chives over the steaming soup to add a burst of color and a hint of freshness that elevates the entire dish.
• Pair with Warm Bread: Serve alongside crusty sourdough or buttery dinner rolls to soak up the rich, creamy broth and complete the ultimate comfort meal experience.
• Create a Cozy Dinner Setting: Ladle the soup into deep bowls and set out extra hot sauce for those who love an extra kick, making it perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings.
• Transform into Meal Prep Magic: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days, knowing the flavors will continue to develop and become even more delicious with time.

Storing Chicken and Dumplings the Right Way

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and measure dry ingredients in advance to streamline cooking process. Store prepped items in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.
• Smart Refrigeration Technique: Transfer cooled soup and dumplings to airtight containers. Refrigerate for 3-4 days, maintaining optimal flavor and texture. Keep dumplings separate from soup liquid to prevent soggy texture.
• Freezing Friendly Method: Freeze soup without dumplings in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently, adding fresh dumplings just before serving to preserve their fluffy consistency.
• Reheating Pro Tips: Warm soup slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if needed to restore moisture. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain dumpling quality and prevent rubbery texture.

Hearty Joanna Gaines Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Joanna Gaines’ chicken and dumplings recipe combines hearty Southern comfort with homemade goodness. Warm chicken broth, tender meat, and fluffy dumplings create a perfect meal that brings families together around the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 grams) bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs
• 4 ½ cups (1080 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) half and half
• 5 tbsps (75 grams) butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup (150 grams) carrots, diced
• 2 sticks celery, diced
• ¾ cup (120 grams) frozen peas
• 2 cups (240 grams) cake flour or regular flour
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) flour
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 1 chicken bouillon cube, optional
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp hot sauce (Frank’s hot sauce)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• ½ tsp mustard powder
• ¼ tsp ground sage
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Soup Foundation: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, releasing caramelized remnants. Sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery until soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
2. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings. Let ingredients meld for one minute, creating a robust flavor profile.
3. Thickening Process: Coat vegetable mixture with all-purpose flour, toasting for 2 minutes while stirring to prevent burning and develop a nutty essence.
4. Liquid Integration: Whisk chicken broth into the pot, eliminating potential lumps. Smoothly blend half-and-half cream, maintaining a silky consistency. Add chicken bouillon and frozen green peas.
5. Dumpling Preparation: Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Gently fold sour cream, whole milk, and melted butter into the mixture, avoiding overmixing to create a soft dough.
6. Cooking Assembly: Return cooked chicken to the simmering soup. Delicately drop dumpling portions across the surface using a cookie scoop or tablespoon.
7. Steaming Stage: Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid, maintaining a gentle simmer. Steam dumplings for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid, ensuring complete cooking.
8. Final Touches: Check dumpling doneness with a toothpick. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately in warm bowls, presenting a comforting and hearty meal perfect for cool evenings.

Notes

• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk broth and cream continuously while adding to ensure a smooth, velvety consistency without any unwanted flour clumps.
• Dumpling Handling Tip: Gently fold dumpling ingredients just until combined; overmixing will create tough, dense dumplings instead of light, fluffy ones.
• Flavor Layering Technique: Toast flour with vegetables before adding liquid to develop a deeper, nuttier flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Steam Management: Keep lid tightly sealed during dumpling cooking to trap steam and ensure perfectly cooked, tender dumplings without peeking or disturbing the cooking process.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 525
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg