Name: Southern Chicken And Dumplings The Black Way
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ cup milk; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 cups chicken breast or thigh meat (pre-cooked, seasoned, and pulled shredded, or chopped); 2 cups chicken broth; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 3/4 cup carrots (chopped); 3/4 cup yellow onion (diced); 1/2 cup celery (chopped); 1 teaspoon garlic (minced ); 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon; ½ teaspoon thyme (dried ); 1 teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

This post may contain affiliate partner links. View our privacy statement HERE.

Jump to Recipe

Chicken and dumplings is the kind of soulful comfort food that feels like a hug in a bowl. A dish deeply rooted in Southern kitchens, it combines tender, well-seasoned chicken with a creamy, savory broth and pillowy dumplings that soak up all that rich, soupy flavor! It’s the ultimate stick-to-your-ribs recipe, served up with love, tradition, and that unmistakable soul food touch.

Southern Chicken And Dumplings The Black Way

This old-fashioned Southern recipe goes by many names: chicken and dumplings, chicken and sliders, chicken and slicks, or, as my grandma fondly called it, chicken and pastry. Black folks’ chicken and dumplings is simply the soul food version of this classic dish, also known as making chicken and dumplings the Black way.

What are dumplings in Southern cooking?

In Southern cooking, dumplings are soft, doughy bites made from simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, and milk or broth. The different types of dumplings used in Southern chicken and dumpling recipes can be rolled and cut into strips, shaped into dough balls by pinching off pieces of dough, or dropped by the spoonful into simmering broth.

As they cook, dumplings absorb the flavors of the chicken and seasonings, transforming into fluffy, tender morsels that thicken the dish into a hearty, comforting meal.

How to make soul food chicken and dumplings

What gives chicken and dumplings the best flavor?

Traditional Southern chicken and dumplings get their flavor from a rich and creamy chicken broth. But the secret to the best chicken and dumplings lies in a Black folks’ soul food recipe, which takes it further by layering in aromatic herbs, soulful seasonings, and juicy, well-seasoned chicken to create a dish that’s intensely flavorful, comforting, and unforgettable!

My recipe also features sautéed vegetables like savory celery and onions, going way beyond the usual frozen carrots and peas for a richer flavor.

What is the secret to flavorful dumplings?

It’s simple. Salt! No need for fancy add-ins or experimental flavors. Staying true to Southern roots, just a touch of salt gives dumplings the perfect taste.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make my soulful Southern classic, from the fluffy dumplings to the creamy, seasoned broth.

Dumplings – Made from simple pantry staples: all-purpose flour, baking powder, milk, vegetable oil, and a pinch of salt for that classic fluffy texture.
Chicken – Pre-cooked and well-seasoned, shredded or chopped for hearty bites in every spoonful.
Chicken broth – The savory base that ties all the flavors together into a rich, comforting soup.
Vegetables – Carrots, onion, and celery (the “holy trinity” of Southern soups) add flavor, color, and a little crunch.
Seasonings – Garlic, chicken bouillon, thyme, salt, and black pepper infuse the dish with soulful depth.
Heavy whipping cream – Stirred in at the end to create a luxuriously creamy, velvety broth.

How to make soul food chicken and dumplings

Make the dumplings from scratch.
Next, in a pot, sauté the vegetables, then add the chicken, seasonings, and broth.
Cover the pot and cook the soup with the dumplings.
Finally, stir in the heavy cream, serve with cornbread to soak it all up, and enjoy!

What type of chicken to use

This recipe calls for pre-cooked, well-seasoned chicken—pulled, chopped, or shredded. I love using a mix of shredded chicken breast and thigh meat for the perfect balance of tenderness and rich flavor.

Can you use canned biscuits or make Bisquick dumplings?

Yes! Both are easy swaps if you don’t have the flour, baking powder, or milk on hand. And the best part? You can still have dumplings ready in just minutes!
For a time-saving shortcut, try canned biscuit dough for the dumplings paired with my Instant Pot chicken and dumplings recipe.

What gives chicken and dumplings the best flavor?

Are chicken and dumplings supposed to be thick or soupy?

In true soul food fashion, the answer is “Bofe!”
Both creamy, hearty, and perfectly balanced. The best chicken and dumplings strike that perfect balance of hearty yet soupy. The final step of stirring in heavy cream seals the deal, creating a rich, creamy broth that brings it all together.

How to tell when it’s done

Let the soup gently simmer in a covered pot on the stovetop for about 15 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through and no longer doughy in the center.

Storing leftovers

Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bonus: the flavors get even better overnight! For longer storage, freeze once cooled in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream to restore its creamy texture.