Rustic Chicken and Drop Dumplings with Mushrooms (2024)

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There is nothing better in this world than a big bowl of chicken and drop dumplings. Full of cozy, comforting flavor, this dish makes you feel better no matter your mood. I've been experimenting with this recipe for years, and definitely feel like this is the perfected version. At least, it's always gotten rave reviews from the audience.

We're making these from scratch - the real deal. No Bisquick, no cream of chicken soup. And, while I would never call chicken and dumplings gourmet (although honestly, with the flavor they bring to the table? They totally deserve it), we're going to add a few ingredients to switch these up a bit in the flavor profile from the traditional. Plus, this recipe totally makes enough to serve a crowd - so bookmark it for your next wintery dinner party!

What are Chicken and Dumplings?

There are so many different types of chicken and dumplings - and everyone has an opinion on what the best ones are. Especially your grandmother. I'm not here to debate (jk, this recipe is the best one), but let's go over some of the different types of recipes and how they differ from each other.

Chicken and Drop Dumplings

Also called chicken and drop biscuits, these are dumplings that your drop directly into the broth and cook on top of the soup/stew. They are light and fluffy, and these homemade ones in particular are flavored with parmesan cheese and parsley. You could definitely use this drop dumpling recipe in other stews (beef in particular would be delish).

Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

So, old fashioned chicken and dumplings are actually made with something called a flat dumpling. It's kind of like a cross between an egg noodle and a biscuit (if you've ever had this dish at Cracker Barrel, this is how they do it). The dumplings tend to be a bit more firm with a bit of a chew, and soak up the broth.

There's also lots of information out there that under no circ*mstances do you put any vegetables at all in old fashioned chicken and dumplings. I'll let you all fight that out in the comments section. If you're looking for some more old fashioned comfort food, try this creamy chicken noodle soup!

Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings

This again seems to depend on the dumplings, and where and how they're made. Southern dumplings seem to be the rolled-flat noodle-ish kind, while the puffier ones (like these) are more common in the Northeastern U.S.

How to make Chicken and Dumplings

We're making these dumplings in a Dutch oven, on the stovetop (although, if you follow my link below to how to make chicken stock from scratch, you can do that part in an Instant Pot or a pressure cooker).

Make the Broth from Scratch

I hate to be the one to have to tell you this, but without a doubt, making your chicken broth from scratch is the best way to eat old fashioned chicken and dumplings. The boxed stuff, while pretty decent, can't compare. That being said, if you're short on time, check out my section below on shortcuts and hacks that will still leave you with a great meal in less than half the time.

Making the broth from scratch isn't hard, but it does require a little preplanning and time. Luckily I have a whole post on how to do this, and my recipe uses only chicken thighs and legs for maximum flavor. That makes it a GREAT START for this recipe too. Honestly, using only dark meat is the way to go. I will die on this hill. Don't @ me.

Ingredients

As you can likely guess from the photos, this chicken and drop dumpling recipe doesn't contain the traditional ingredients. We're adding things like mushrooms and parmesan to give it a deeper umami flavor, and adding a tiny bit of cognac to the base of the stew (you won't taste it - it just adds this little something extra to the dish. Otherwise, this is what we're looking at:

• Easy Homemade Chicken Broth with Thighs
• Reserved thigh and leg meat from the above recipe
• Shallot
• Mixed mushrooms (oyster, cremini and shiitake if you can get your hands on them)
• Carrots
• Flour
• Cognac
• Heavy Cream (optional)

For the Drop Biscuits

• Flour
• Baking Powder
• Milk
• Egg
• Salt & Pepper
• Parmesan Cheese
• Parsley

Shortcuts and Hacks

Let's be real, we don't always have time to make our own chicken broth and let it simmer for three hours before we even start to make the actual dish. So here's how you can cut down that time.

First, use store bought chicken stock (for this recipe, I would use between 5-6 cups). Make sure it's no salt added so you can season to your taste.

Second, make it using a rotisserie chicken. Use all of the meat, and the skin if you want extra flavor!

After that, follow the recipe as usual.

Freezing and Storage

This recipe can store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days (in fact, I think the flavor gets better the longer the dish gets to hang out. Kind of like lasagna).

For freezing, again, make sure it's got a tight light, and you can keep it for up to six months! Delish.

What to Serve with Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Sides

This is actually a pretty heavy meal. I would for sure go with something lighter on the side, like a salad, or maybe one of these dishes:

The best homemade Caesar Salad (ok fine, it's not exactly light, but it's a salad. What more do you want from me?)

Roasted Broccoli with Pecorino and Honey

Warm zucchini salad with mint and pistachios

Wine Pairing

For this meal, I would definitely go with Pinot Noir (a classic pairing with chicken, especially with deep flavors), or if you're looking for a white, a classic Chardonnay.

📖 Recipe