Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, evoking memories of home and bringing warmth to body and soul. But this southern classic is so much more than just chicken and dough The key to transforming this dish into a culinary masterpiece lies in the seasoning
I’m going to walk you through the essential seasonings that form the foundation of chicken and dumplings as well some creative ways to customize the flavor profile to suit your personal taste. From aromatic herbs to savory spices, seasoning is what takes this dish from bland to beautiful. So let’s dive in!
The Soulful Trinity: Essential Seasonings for Chicken and Dumplings
The core seasonings that create the quintessential flavor of chicken and dumplings are
-
Salt and Pepper: Don’t underestimate the power of salt and pepper. Salt enhances and balances all the other flavors. Freshly ground black pepper adds warmth and a subtle spicy aroma.
-
Poultry Seasoning: This blend of herbs like thyme, sage, marjoram, and rosemary gives chicken and dumplings its characteristic flavor. You can make your own or use a store-bought blend.
-
Onion Powder: Onion powder provides a sweet, aromatic base note that complements the other seasonings perfectly.
Let’s look at each of these essentials in a bit more detail.
Salt and Pepper – The Foundation
Seasoning properly with salt and pepper is the first crucial step for any savory dish. Salt enhances natural flavors and makes them “pop”. Pepper adds warmth, spice, and a subtle floral aroma.
For chicken and dumplings, be generous with the salt and pepper when seasoning the raw chicken as well as the finished dish. Taste and adjust until the flavors are nicely balanced. Freshly ground pepper is always best.
Poultry Seasoning – The Secret Weapon
Poultry seasoning is the MVP of chicken and dumplings, providing the characteristic flavor profile. The blend typically contains:
- Thyme – Earthy, lemony, minty
- Sage – Savory, peppery, warm
- Marjoram – Floral, sweet, and complex
- Rosemary – Piney, robust, slightly bitter
Use about 1-2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning per pound of chicken. Rub it into the raw chicken along with salt and pepper before cooking. You can also add it directly to the broth for more flavor.
Making your own blend allows you to adjust the quantities and use fresh herbs. Store-bought seasoning is very convenient though.
Onion Powder – The Aromatic
Onion powder adds a sweetness and aromatic quality that perfectly rounds out the core seasonings. Use about 1 teaspoon per pound of chicken.
Sauteeing fresh minced onion in the pot first is another great option for even more flavor.
Customizing Your Chicken and Dumplings
Once you’ve mastered the essential trio of salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning, it’s time for some creativity. Here are some additional herbs, spices, and ingredients to elevate your chicken and dumplings.
- Garlic – Fresh or powdered, adds savory depth
- Smoked Paprika – Adds subtle smokiness and rich color
- Bay Leaves – Infuse the broth with herbal aroma
- Celery Seed – Provides an earthy, savory note
- Carrots, Celery, Onion – Mirepoix adds complexity
- Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano – Fresh herbs intensify flavors
- Cayenne or Red Pepper Flakes – For extra heat and zing
- Nutmeg – A pinch for warmth and sweetness
Start with conservative amounts of these add-ins and adjust to taste. Their impact on flavor can vary greatly.
Pro Tip: Infuse oils or butter with fresh herbs, then use for cooking carrots, celery, and onion to start the broth. This adds a ton of flavor!
Perfecting Your Technique
Proper technique is just as important as ingredients when making chicken and dumplings. Follow these tips to draw out maximum flavor:
-
Season the raw chicken – Rub salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning or other herbs into the chicken before cooking for extra flavor infusion.
-
Sauté aromatics first – Cooking onion, carrots, celery etc. before adding the chicken builds a richer base.
-
Simmer slowly – Low and slow simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
-
Skim the fat – For clearer, more concentrated broth.
-
Adjust seasoning at the end – Taste and tweak salt, pepper, herbs right before serving.
-
Make infused oils/butters – Sauté your aromatics in oil or butter infused with fresh herbs.
-
Season every component – Flavor the broth, chicken, aromatics, AND dumplings for maximum impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seasoning Chicken and Dumplings
Here are answers to some common questions about seasoning this delightful southern dish:
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs?
Absolutely! Fresh herbs contain essential oils that provide a brighter, more vibrant flavor. Use about 3 times as much fresh herbs as dried. Add them towards the end to preserve their flavor.
What if I don’t have poultry seasoning?
No problem! Make your own blend with equal parts dried thyme, sage, marjoram, and rosemary. Or use a simple mix of salt, pepper, onion powder, thyme and sage.
How much seasoning should I use?
As a general rule of thumb:
- 1-2 tsp salt
- 1/2 to 1 tsp pepper
- 1-2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
Per pound of chicken. Adjust to taste.
Can I add heat like cayenne or red pepper flakes?
For sure! Add a pinch of cayenne, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to give it a little kick.
Should I season the chicken before cooking?
Absolutely! Generously seasoning the raw chicken helps the flavor permeate the meat. Use salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs you like.
What if my dumplings turn out bland?
Season the dumpling dough itself before cooking! Many people overlook this step. Add salt, pepper, herbs, and even garlic powder or parmesan cheese to the dough for flavor.
Craft Your Own Legendary Chicken and Dumplings
With the essential seasonings down and some creativity, you can craft your own legendary chicken and dumplings. Play with different herb and spice blends until you find your perfect balance.
The beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility. Make it your own! Stay cozy my friends.
Tips for Fluffy Dumplings
- Make sure the dumpling batter is moist enough. It should be a soft, sticky, scoopable dough. If it’s too dry, the dumplings won’t be able to puff up as much.
- Make sure the gravy is simmering before adding the dumplings. The dumplings need the steam action from the simmering gravy to cook and fluff up.
- Keep the lid on the pot the entire time the dumplings are cooking (this holds in the steam and ensures they cook from all sides.
- Don’t make the dumplings too big. They’ll double in size as they cook and larger dumplings will take much longer to cook.
Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious chicken and dumplings recipe:
- Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they’re almost impossible to overcook and they always stay moist and tender, making this recipe foolproof. You can use chicken breast if you prefer, just be careful not to overcook the chicken.
- Vegetables: A mix of onion, garlic, carrot, and celery provides the flavor base for the gravy, as well as adds a ton of color and texture to the dish.
- Butter and Flour: A butter and flour roux is used to thicken the gravy and add a ton of rich flavor to the dish.
- Herbs: Parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, and pepper create a classic chicken soup flavor profile that makes this chicken and dumplings recipe extra warm and cozy.
- Chicken Broth and Milk: The gravy is made with a combination of broth and milk for tons of flavor and a creamy finish.
- Dumplings: The dumplings are made with a simple mix of flour, milk, melted butter, herbs, baking powder, salt, and sugar. They come together in minutes with very little mixing required!
We use a “drop biscuit” style dumpling for this chicken and dumplings recipe, but there are several other variations you can try. Here are some popular options for chicken and dumplings:
- Pre-Made Biscuits: If you want a shortcut, buy a can of ready-to-bake biscuits and simply place them on top of the simmering gravy, then steam until cooked through.
- Biscuit Mix: Skip the from-scratch biscuits listed below and use a pre-made biscuit mix, like Bisquick, to make your biscuit/dumpling topping.
- Thick Noodles: Either make your own homemade thick noodles or “sliders” to simmer in the gravy or buy a pre-made dried “dumpling noodle”. If using a dried noodle, you may want to add an additional cup of broth to allow for the noodle’s absorption.