Okay look — Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumplings is basically a bowl of edible hugs. It’s creamy, steamy, herby, full of juicy chicken bits, and those weird little dough blobs we pretend are elegant but let’s be real… they’re pillowy biscuit clouds and we’re here for it. Super cozy, makes your kitchen smell like you know what you’re doing, and surprisingly not hard if you follow the vibes (not just the steps).

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients Needed

2 Tbsp. butter – because flavour. Also… butter.
2 Tbsp. olive oil – keeps the butter from burning when you brown stuff.
½ cup all-purpose flour – for dredging the chicken.
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces – or, rotisserie chicken if you’re tired and pretending.
Salt and pepper – always. Don’t be shy.
½ cup diced carrots – tiny bites = faster cook, plus cute.
½ cup diced celery – builds that “soup base” taste.
1 medium onion, diced – I sobbed. Worth it.
½ tsp. ground thyme – earthy, gentle, don’t skip.
¼ tsp. turmeric – just a smidge for golden broth. It’s not curry, don’t panic.
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth – low-sodium gives you control. Big soup energy.
½ cup apple cider – I know, it sounds weird. But it works. Adds a twangy backnote.
½ cup heavy cream – oh yes. This is not diet food.

For the Dumplings:

1½ cups flour
½ cup yellow cornmeal – this changes everything. Texture’s ✨chef’s kiss✨.
1 Tbsp. heaping baking powder – no flat dumplings here.
1 tsp. kosher salt
1½ cups half-and-half – richer than milk, lighter than cream.
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley (optional) – sprinkle in for colour or skip like I usually do.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumplings

Brown the Chicken:
Season the chicken well. Dredge it in flour like it owes you money. Brown it in a hot pot with butter + oil. Do it in batches. You want crispy bits, not steamed meat sadness.

Sauté the Veggies:
Same pot — toss in the onion, celery, carrots. Stir, let them soften for a few minutes. Add thyme and turmeric. Feels fancy already.

Build the Broth:
Pour in the broth and apple cider. Stir, scrape the browned bits off the bottom (gold). Add chicken back in. Cover. Simmer 20 minutes.

Make the Dumpling Dough:
Sift flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt. Stir in the half-and-half gently — don’t overmix. You want soft dough, not paste. Set aside.

Shred the Chicken:
Take the chicken out. Shred it with forks like a civilized beast. Add it back to the pot. Stir in heavy cream. Look at you.

Drop the Dumplings:
Spoon the dough in — about tablespoon-sized drops. Don’t overcrowd, they puff. Sprinkle parsley if you want. Cover the pot partially. Let simmer 15 minutes. Don’t peek too much or they’ll go flat and soggy.

Rest, Then Serve:
Turn off the heat, let it sit 10 minutes. Everything thickens. You’ll burn your mouth otherwise. Trust me. Been there.

Pioneer Woman Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

Recipe Tips

Don’t overmix the dumpling dough — that’s how you get chewy biscuit rocks.

Apple cider isn’t optional, sorry. It gives the broth life.

If your dumplings are raw inside, simmer longer with the lid cracked — don’t crank the heat or they break down.

Use fresh thyme if you’ve got it — but dry works just fine.

How to Store & Reheat

Room Temperature: Leave uncovered max 1 hour, then chill.
Fridge: Keeps 3 days in an airtight container — dumplings get softer but still good.
Freezer: Freeze the soup without dumplings for best texture. Make fresh dumplings when reheating.

Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)

Calories: 460
Sodium: 620mg
Protein: 28g
Fat: 26g
Carbs: 31g
Fibre: 3g
Sugar: 5g

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Absolutely — faster, juicier, less mess. Just adjust simmer time slightly.

Do I have to use cornmeal in the dumplings?
No, but it really helps the texture. No gluey dough bombs.

Can I skip the apple cider?
Technically yes, but don’t. It gives that why does this taste amazing? thing.

Can I make this in advance?
Yes, just hold off on dumplings until reheating — fresh ones cook best.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written — but you could try GF flour for both dredging and dumplings. Results may vary.