This lighter chicken and dumplings recipe is a healthier version of the classic comfort food. Made with lean chicken, nutritious vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, this dish is both satisfying and guilt-free. It's the perfect meal for cozy evenings or when you need a comforting dish to warm your soul. Best of all, it's easy to make and will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 stalks celery, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions
- In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken breasts to the pot and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to cool.
- In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened.
- While the vegetables are cooking, shred the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and stir to combine with the vegetables.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk and melted butter, stirring until just combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the simmering chicken and vegetable mixture. Cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Chicken and dumplings is a classic Southern dish with roots in rural America.
Traditionally, chicken and dumplings were made with a whole chicken, but this recipe uses lean chicken breasts for a lighter version.
Dumplings are a type of biscuit-like dough that are cooked by simmering or steaming on top of a stew or soup.