Winter Comfort Food: One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Dumplings

When the cold wind howls and the days grow shorter, our souls crave warmth and nourishment. This is the season for true Winter Comfort Food, the kind of meal that feels like a cozy blanket in a bowl. Forget complicated recipes and a sink full of dishes; this One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Dumplings recipe is the simple, hearty answer to your winter cravings.

We’ve created a dish that delivers all the classic, beloved flavors of homemade chicken and dumplings without the fuss. It’s a complete, satisfying meal simmered together in a single pot, making it perfect for a busy weeknight. This is the kind of heartwarming dish that will have your family coming back for seconds.

Why This One-Pot Recipe is the Ultimate Winter Comfort Food

This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a strategic solution for anyone seeking maximum comfort with minimal effort. The creamy chicken stew is rich and savory, and the fluffy, tender dumplings are steamed to perfection right on top. Everything melds together into a beautifully cohesive and delicious meal.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. It’s an accessible recipe for cooks of all levels, and the one-pot method means cleanup is an absolute breeze. It’s a fantastic dish to have in your rotation, right alongside other simple favorites like our 30-Minute Baked Chicken Breast.

The Key Ingredients for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings

The magic of this Winter Comfort Food comes from simple, wholesome ingredients that pack a ton of flavor. We use pantry staples to create something truly special.

For the Creamy Chicken Stew

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work beautifully. Thighs will provide a slightly richer flavor.
• Vegetables: A classic mirepoix of onion, carrots, and celery forms the aromatic base.
• Broth & Cream: Chicken broth creates the savory liquid, while a splash of heavy cream at the end adds that luxurious, comforting richness.
• Herbs: Thyme and bay leaf are essential for that classic, herbaceous aroma that fills the kitchen.

For the Fluffy Dumplings

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for our simple drop dumplings.
• Baking Powder: This is the secret to light, airy, and fluffy dumplings.
• Butter & Milk: Cold butter cut into the flour and cold milk bring the dough together, ensuring a tender texture.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the deep, savory flavors that make this dish a winter staple.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the most amazing one-pot meal. We’ll guide you through searing the chicken, building the stew, and steaming the dumplings.

1. Sear the Chicken: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear on both sides until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the same pot. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Create the Stew Base: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for one minute, then slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Add the thyme and bay leaf.
4. Simmer: Return the chicken to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Make the Dumpling Dough: While the stew simmers, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until just combined—do not overmix.
6. Cook the Dumplings: Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the stew and stir in the heavy cream and peas. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough over the top of the simmering stew.
7. Steam to Perfection: Cover the pot and cook for 15-18 minutes, without lifting the lid. The dumplings will steam and become light and fluffy. They are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

The key to perfect dumplings is to resist peeking while they steam!

Tips and Tricks for the Best Dumplings

Making light and fluffy dumplings is easy with a few key tips. First, ensure your baking powder is fresh. Second, use cold butter and milk and be careful not to overwork the dough, which can make the dumplings tough. Finally, once you drop the dumplings into the stew and cover the pot, do not lift the lid until the cooking time is up. This traps the steam, which is essential for cooking them properly.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is wonderfully versatile. You can add other vegetables like mushrooms or green beans. For a richer flavor, try using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. If you’re short on time, you can even use a store-bought biscuit dough for the dumplings, though homemade is always best! If you love creamy, comforting soups, you should also try this delicious Creamy Tortellini Soup.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This dish makes for fantastic leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dumplings will absorb some of the liquid overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce. For another great make-ahead meal, check out our Keto Ground Beef Casserole.

What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings

This is a complete meal on its own, packed with protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates. However, if you’d like to add a side, a simple green salad with a vinaigrette or a side of steamed green beans would be a perfect, fresh complement to the rich and creamy stew.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ultimate Winter Comfort Food Recipe

FL Recipes

Winter Comfort Food: One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Dumplings

A hearty and delicious one-pot creamy chicken and dumplings recipe. This is the ultimate winter comfort food, perfect for a cozy night in and easy enough for any weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 550

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 Large Onion chopped
• 2 Carrots chopped
• 2 Celery Stalks chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic minced
• 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 4 cups Chicken Broth
• 1 tsp Dried Thyme
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• 1 cup Frozen Peas
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tbsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 4 tbsp Cold Unsalted Butter cut into small pieces
• 1 cup Milk

Equipment

• 1 Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
• 2 Mixing Bowls

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Method

 

1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and sear until golden brown. Remove from the pot and set aside.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Add thyme and bay leaf.
4. Return the chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5. While the stew simmers, prepare the dumpling dough. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk until just combined.
6. Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and peas. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough onto the simmering stew.
7. Cover the pot and cook for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid. Dumplings are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 550kcalProtein: 35gFat: 25gFiber: 5g

Notes

Ensure your baking powder is fresh for the fluffiest dumplings.
Do not lift the lid while the dumplings are steaming, as this will let the steam escape and they may not cook properly.
For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.

Keyword chicken and dumplings,one-pot meal,winter comfort food

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Share Your Cozy Creations!

There is nothing better than sharing a warm, delicious meal with loved ones. We hope this One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Dumplings becomes a new Winter Comfort Food favorite in your home. If you make it, we would love to see it! Share a photo and tag us on Pinterest. Happy cooking!