From Our Kitchen to Yours | Johnson Heirloom

Comfort food, family memories, and a little Southern tradition in every bite. ❤️

There is just something special about a big pot of homemade chicken and dumplings simmering on the stove. The smell fills the kitchen, the house feels a little cozier, and suddenly you're reminded of Sunday dinners, family gatherings, and the recipes that have been passed down through generations.

Welcome to our very first recipe in From Our Kitchen to Yours: Recipes, Memories & Handmade Traditions!

Here at Johnson Heirloom, we spend our days preserving memories through quilts, handmade keepsakes, and meaningful gifts. But some of the sweetest memories aren't stitched into fabric. They're made around the dinner table, sharing a homemade meal with the people we love.

And what better way to kick off our recipe series than with a true Southern classic?

Today, we're making Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken & Dumplings — tender shredded chicken, soft homemade rolled dumplings, and a rich, comforting broth.

No fancy ingredients. No complicated techniques. Just good, old-fashioned homemade cooking.

❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

This is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table.

• Made with simple pantry ingredients.
• Features homemade, old-fashioned rolled dumplings.
• Perfect for chilly evenings and Sunday family dinners.
• Budget-friendly and filling.
• Makes delicious leftovers.
• A wonderful recipe to pass down to the next generation.

The best part? You don't need to be an experienced cook to make it!

🥣 Recipe Details

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Cuisine: Southern American

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken & Broth

• 2½–3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs or a mixture of thighs and breasts
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup whole milk or half-and-half (optional, for a creamier broth)

For the Homemade Rolled Dumplings

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• ¾ cup buttermilk

👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot, combine the chicken, chicken broth, water, onion, celery, carrots, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and bay leaf.

Bring everything to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce the heat to low, cover loosely, and simmer for approximately 35–45 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Carefully remove the chicken and set it aside to cool.

Remove the bay leaf. For a traditional smooth broth, strain out the cooked vegetables. If you prefer a heartier dish, leave the vegetables in the pot.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones.

Shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces.

Set the chicken aside while preparing the dumplings.

Kitchen Tip: Don't shred the chicken too finely! Larger pieces give this dish that hearty, homemade texture.

Step 3: Make the Dumpling Dough

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Cut the cold butter into the flour using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Slowly pour in the buttermilk, stirring gently until a soft dough forms.

If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in a little additional flour.

Avoid overmixing, which can make the dumplings tough.

Step 4: Roll & Cut the Dumplings

Lightly flour your countertop or a large cutting board.

Turn out the dough and gently bring it together.

Roll the dough to approximately ⅛-inch thickness.

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into strips approximately 1 inch wide and 2 inches long.

Dust the strips lightly with flour to keep them from sticking together.

Don't worry if they aren't perfectly shaped. Homemade dumplings are supposed to look homemade!

Step 5: Cook the Dumplings

Bring the broth back to a gentle boil.

Drop the dumplings into the simmering broth a few at a time, stirring gently between additions to prevent sticking.

Once all the dumplings have been added, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.

Cover loosely and cook for approximately 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dumplings are tender and cooked through.

The flour from the dumplings will naturally help thicken the broth.

Step 6: Add the Chicken Back In

Return the shredded chicken to the pot.

Gently stir to combine.

If you prefer a creamier consistency, stir in ½ cup whole milk or half-and-half.

Allow everything to simmer for another 5 minutes, until the chicken is heated through.

Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

If the broth becomes too thick, add a little extra warm chicken broth.

Step 7: Serve & Enjoy!

Ladle the hot chicken and dumplings into bowls.

Add a little freshly cracked black pepper on top, and serve while warm.

Pair it with a simple green salad, green beans, or your favorite Southern side dish.

And don't forget to gather everyone around the table!

🧵 A Few Southern Kitchen Tips

1. Use bone-in chicken for extra flavor. Cooking the chicken with the bones adds richness to the broth.

2. Don't overwork the dumpling dough. A light touch keeps your dumplings tender.

3. Keep the broth gently simmering. A rolling boil can break apart delicate dumplings.

4. Let the flour do its job. Homemade rolled dumplings release flour as they cook, naturally thickening the broth.

5. Make it your own. Every Southern family has its own version. Some prefer thick, creamy broth, while others love a thinner, more traditional consistency.

That's part of what makes family recipes so special.

🥘 Easy Shortcut Version

Short on time?

You can make a quicker version using:

• 3 cups cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into small pieces

Bring the broth and butter to a simmer, add the biscuit pieces, and cook gently until the centers are fully cooked, following the dough package's cooking guidance. Stir in the chicken and heat through.

It won't have quite the same texture as homemade rolled dumplings, but it's a comforting alternative for busy evenings.

❄️ Storing & Reheating Leftovers

Refrigerator: Allow leftovers to cool promptly, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer: Freeze in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 2–3 months for best quality. The dumplings may soften after thawing.

Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the mixture has thickened.

Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.

❤️ More Than Just a Recipe

One of the things I love most about old-fashioned recipes is how they connect us to the people and moments that matter.

A handwritten recipe card tucked inside an old cookbook. A favorite meal that always appeared on Sunday afternoons. The smell of something wonderful cooking in the kitchen.

Those little moments become the memories we carry with us.

At Johnson Heirloom, our passion is preserving those memories, whether through a handmade quilt, a special keepsake, or simply sharing traditions that deserve to live on.

Because sometimes an heirloom isn't something you hang on a wall or tuck away in a cedar chest.

Sometimes it's a recipe that brings your family together, generation after generation.

💬 Let's Talk!

Did your family make chicken and dumplings growing up?

Were your dumplings rolled thin and flat, or did your family prefer fluffy, drop-style dumplings?

I'd love to hear how your family makes this Southern favorite!

Share your memories and kitchen traditions in the comments. ❤️

And be sure to come back tomorrow for our next recipe in From Our Kitchen to Yours!

From Our Kitchen to Yours, with Love ❤️

Johnson Heirloom
Turning today's moments into tomorrow's treasures.

🌐 JohnsonHeirloom.com

Made with love. Shared with family. Remembered for generations.