Chicken and Dumplings For One (2024)

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Discover the ultimate comfort food with our single serving Chicken and Dumplings recipe. Easy, adaptable, and irresistibly delicious, it’s a must-try!

Made with one chicken breast, this easy “Chicken and Dumplings For One” features a thickened broth, tender bite-sized bits of chicken, a mix of vegetables, and a soft covering of fluffy dumplings. Easy and so delicious!

Looking for more single serving, hearty chicken recipes, try our Chicken Stew, Chicken Cacciatore, White Chicken Chili, and Creamy Mustard Chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

• Simplicity: Designed with beginners in mind, this recipe doesn’t demand any complex techniques.
• Speed: Whip this up quickly for a spontaneous comfort meal.
• Adaptable: Suitable for a range of dietary preferences with alternative ingredient options.
• Efficient: No leftovers mean no food wastage.
• Heartwarming: Nothing beats a bowl of creamy, home-cooked goodness.

Ingredient Notes

• Olive oil: Ideal for sautéing; can substitute with butter for richer flavor.
• Onions and garlic: Adds depth to the flavor base. Can use leeks or shallots as an alternative.
• Celery and carrots: Provides texture and essential nutrients. Feel free to toss in any preferred veggies. If you have extra carrots and celery, consider using them in a Macaroni Salad, Split Pea Soup, and Beef Stew.
• Chicken: We’re using boneless skinless chicken breast for ease. Thigh meat works well too. Got extra chicken breasts? Use one in Chicken Tacos, Chicken Tikka Masala, or Chicken Marsala.
• Salt and pepper: For flavor.
• Chicken broth: This forms the body of your dish. I like using low sodium chicken broth because it allows me to control the amount of sodium in the dish a little better. Leftover broth can be added to Lasagna Soup and Spanish Rice.

For The Dumplings

• Flour: Flour forms the structure. I use all-purpose flour but for a gluten-free version, use gluten-free 1:1 flour.
• Baking powder: To give lift to the dumplings.
• Sugar and salt: For flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness; dairy-free alternatives work equally well.
• Milk: Use any percentage of cow’s milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Milk helps to moisten the dumpling batter.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used andwhy I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

Recipe Variations

The beauty of this easy Chicken and Dumplings is its adaptability. Make the dish truly yours:

• Herbs: Infuse the broth with herbs like rosemary or thyme for added aroma.
• Spices: A hint of paprika or cayenne can add a gentle kick.
• Vegetarian: Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth.
• Creamy: For an extra creamy texture, add a splash of cream or coconut milk.
• Seafood: Replace chicken with shrimp or fish for a pescatarian version.

Create Perfect Homemade Dumplings

Growing up, Bisquick baking mix was the go-to for my mother’s dumplings. While those dumplings tasted great, I’ve found a homemade recipe that surpasses it.

This uncomplicated dumpling recipe, using everyday pantry items, eliminates the need for rolling dough and is even better than Bisquick’s version.

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Integrate butter with the dry mix, using either fingertips or a pastry blender. Once combined, add milk and mix until a dough forms.

To finish, drop generous spoonfuls of the dough into your simmering chicken stew.

How To Make Chicken And Dumplings

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of chicken and dumplings . See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

1. Cook the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic in olive oil until tender.
2. Add the chicken breast and season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cook 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Using two forks, shred the chicken in the pot. Make the dumplings in a medium sized bowl and drop the dumplings into the pot by spoonfuls.
4. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Expert Tips

• Dumplings: Ensure the dough is soft but not overly sticky for the best consistency. Avoid over-mixing which can lead to tough dumplings and leave the lid on the pot when cooking the dumplings. Since the dumplings cook by steaming, the pot needs to be covered so that the steam doesn’t escape.
• Broth: For a thicker broth, reduce it longer on the stove.
• Chicken: Sear the chicken pieces first to lock in flavor before proceeding with the recipe. To make this a quick dinner, you can use cooked rotisserie chicken from a grocery store or cooked leftover chicken from a previous recipe.
• Veggies: Feel free to sauté them until they’re golden for added depth.

Serving Suggestions

Complement your Chicken and Dumplings with the right accompaniments to elevate the meal. Whether you’re in the mood for something light or seeking a hearty feast, we’ve got options:

• Salad: A fresh cucumber salad offers a crisp contrast.
• Bread: A slice of rustic French bread or a roll, perfect for soaking up the rich broth.
• Wine: A glass of white wine, like Chardonnay, complements the creaminess.
• Veggies: Sautéed green beans or roasted brussels sprouts with a garnish of shredded Parmesan cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover More Single Serving Chicken Recipes

Diversifying your culinary repertoire is a joy, especially when you’re cooking for one. Delight in these carefully curated single-serving chicken recipes that promise flavor-packed meals tailored just for you:

• Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Chicken Spaghetti
• Cashew Chicken
• Chicken Chili

If you’ve tried our small Chicken and Dumplings or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.