Name: Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (6-Ingredients) Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 1 (3lb) whole chicken (1.5kg); 2 1/2 quarts of water, or enough to cover the chicken by 2 inches (1800g); 1 medium onion, diced (200g); Salt and black pepper to taste; 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning (or rubbed sage, thyme, or parsley); 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g) (can substitute 00 flour, cake flour, or whole wheat flour); 1 tablespoon baking powder (15g); 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (6g); 1 cup whole milk, warmed (245g) (may need up to 1/3 cup more depending on flour type); 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (45g); Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

If you’re looking for comfort food that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (6-Ingredients) Recipe is one of my all-time favorites—it’s simple, hearty, and downright delicious. I absolutely love how this turns out every single time, and I know you’ll find that with just a few pantry staples, you can make a meal that your whole family will rave about.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Minimal Ingredients: Just six simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper) make the magic happen—perfect for busy weeknights.
Homemade Comfort: The dumplings are scratch-made and fluffy, giving you that authentic homemade feel without fuss.
Family-Friendly: This recipe has been a staple at my family dinners for years, and it always brings everyone to the table happy.
Flavorful Broth: Slow-simmered chicken and onions create a rich, flavorful base that’s simply irresistible.

The image shows a white pot filled with a creamy soup that has large, round, pale dumplings floating on the surface. The soup is light beige with small green herbs and tiny orange vegetable pieces scattered throughout. There are two silver spoons placed inside the pot, partially submerged in the soup. The texture of the dumplings looks soft and slightly lumpy, and the broth appears thick and smooth. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Chicken and Dumplings, easy chicken and dumplings, 6-ingredient chicken and dumplings, comforting chicken and dumplings recipe, simple chicken and dumplings

Ingredients You’ll Need

Choosing quality ingredients really sets this Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (6-Ingredients) Recipe apart. The simple combination of chicken, flour, and a few seasonings work beautifully together to make that perfect cozy meal.

Flat lay of a whole raw chicken, diced white onion, a mound of all-purpose flour, a small pile of baking powder, a pat of unsalted butter, a measuring cup filled with warm whole milk, sprigs of fresh thyme and sage, and scattered whole black peppercorns, all beautifully arranged with soft natural light and delicate shadows, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Chicken and Dumplings, easy chicken and dumplings, 6-ingredient chicken and dumplings, comforting chicken and dumplings recipe, simple chicken and dumplings

Whole chicken: A 3-pounder is ideal to develop a rich broth and tender meat; fresh is best, but frozen works well too.
Water: You’ll use enough to cover the chicken by a couple of inches for the broth; this keeps things light and straightforward without extra stocks.
Onion: Diced medium onion adds just the right sweetness and depth to the broth.
Poultry seasoning (or sage, thyme, parsley): This adds a subtle herby flair—I usually keep poultry seasoning on hand for convenience.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of your dumplings; I sometimes swap in cake flour for a lighter texture.
Baking powder: This gives your dumplings their fluff and lift—don’t skip it!
Kosher salt: Critical for seasoning both the broth and dumplings perfectly.
Whole milk: Warmed to mix smoothly into the dumpling dough, can adjust a bit depending on your flour.
Unsalted butter: Melted and added into the dough for richness and flavor.
Freshly ground black pepper: To taste—this brings just the right kick without overpowering.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about this Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (6-Ingredients) Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to fit your taste or what you have on hand. I often like to mix it up depending on the season or mood.

Herb variations: I’ve swapped out poultry seasoning for fresh thyme or parsley at times, and I love the brightness it brings.
Flour choices: Using whole wheat flour adds a nutty flavor and makes the dumplings a bit heartier—great when you want that rustic vibe.
Vegetable add-ins: Sometimes I toss in diced carrots or celery with the onion for extra veggies without losing simplicity.
Spicy twist: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the broth adds a surprising warmth that my family adores.

How to Make Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (6-Ingredients) Recipe

Step 1: Slow Simmer the Chicken for the Best Broth

Start by placing the whole chicken and diced onion in a big pot, then cover it with about 2-and-a-half quarts of water (or enough to cover by 2 inches). Add a teaspoon of salt and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat—don’t let it boil or the broth gets cloudy and greasy. I usually skim off any foam that rises to the top during cooking. Let the chicken simmer gently for about an hour until it’s tender and cooked through.

Step 2: Debone and Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cool enough to handle (this usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes), remove the skin then shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces. This part always feels a bit therapeutic to me—it helps bring me closer to the homemade goodness of the dish. Set the shredded chicken aside while you reduce the broth a bit to concentrate the flavor, leaving the pot uncovered over low heat.

Step 3: Prepare the Dumpling Dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and a good pinch of freshly ground black pepper. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and warm the milk until it’s hot but not boiling. Slowly add the milk and butter mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a fork just until combined. I discovered this trick of mixing gently because overworking the dough makes the dumplings dense and chewy, which nobody wants!

Step 4: Cook the Dumplings in the Soup

Return the shredded chicken to the pot and taste the broth, adding more salt and pepper if needed. Then, using two spoons or a small scoop, gently drop the dumpling dough onto the simmering broth. Cover with a lid and let the dumplings steam for 15 minutes over low heat—they’ll puff up beautifully. Resist the urge to lift the lid too often, or the dumplings won’t cook evenly.

Once the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy, ladle out generous bowls, serve hot, and enjoy that heartwarming goodness.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (6-Ingredients) Recipe

Don’t Rush the Broth: Slow and steady simmering avoids cloudy broth and builds richer flavor.
Mix Dumplings Gently: Overmixing makes dense dumplings; stir just until combined for the fluffiest results.
Keep Dumplings Covered: Resist picking the lid to steam them properly, so they cook evenly and rise nicely.
Adjust Milk as Needed: Depending on your flour brand, you may need slightly more milk to get the right dough consistency.

How to Serve Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (6-Ingredients) Recipe

A white plate with gold floral designs holds two large, white dumplings covered in a light, clear broth with a slight yellow tint. Surrounding the dumplings are several pieces of shredded chicken with a soft texture and pale beige color. The broth is sprinkled with small green onion slices and a light dusting of black pepper, adding tiny specks of green and black over the dish. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Chicken and Dumplings, easy chicken and dumplings, 6-ingredient chicken and dumplings, comforting chicken and dumplings recipe, simple chicken and dumplings

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or a little bit of thyme on top—it adds a pop of color and herbal brightness to each bowl. A crack of fresh black pepper on top just before serving also rounds out the flavors perfectly.

Side Dishes

My favorite side for this is a crisp green salad or some roasted seasonal veggies to add fresh texture. For days when I want to keep it simple, some buttery dinner rolls or warm cornbread are amazing for dipping into the broth.

Creative Ways to Present

For potluck dinners or cozy family gatherings, I like serving this rustic in a big beautiful ceramic bowl, with dumplings heaped high and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. It always sparks conversation and brings back memories—plus, it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and have found it stays fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days. The dumplings soak up a bit of broth overnight, so the texture becomes even more comforting the next day.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the broth and chicken separately, but I don’t recommend freezing fully cooked dumplings as they tend to lose their fluffy texture. Instead, freeze the stock and shredded chicken, then make fresh dumplings when reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the chicken and broth in a pot over low heat, stirring occasionally. If you want to add fresh dumplings, now’s the time to make the batter and steam them right in the simmering soup for the freshest experience.

FAQs

Can I use chicken broth instead of cooking the whole chicken?

Absolutely! Using pre-made chicken broth saves time, and you can add cooked chicken breasts or thighs to the soup instead. Just note that cooking the whole chicken builds a richer, more flavorful broth from scratch, which I’ve found makes a big difference in taste.
How do I store and reheat leftovers without losing dumpling texture?

Leftover soup with dumplings stores well in the fridge for a few days but the dumplings will soften further. When reheating, warm gently on the stove to preserve texture, or consider making fresh dumplings to add just before serving again if you want that fresh fluffy bite.
Can I freeze chicken and dumplings?

I recommend freezing the broth and shredded chicken separately, avoiding freezing the cooked dumplings because they tend to become dense and mushy. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the broth and chicken, then add fresh dumplings to steam in the pot.
What flour can I use for the dumplings?

All-purpose flour works perfectly, but I’ve also tried cake flour for lighter dumplings or whole wheat for a heartier texture. Just keep in mind the milk amount might need small adjustments depending on the flour’s absorbency.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings (6-Ingredients) Recipe has been a beloved part of my family’s table for years, and I always come back to it whenever I want something soothing and simple. It’s that kind of recipe that feels like coming home, and I genuinely hope you enjoy making it just as much as eating it. Give it a try—you’ll soon see why this recipe stands out as one of the best comfort foods you can make with so little fuss.