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This single serving Chicken and Dumplings recipe is made with one chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful broth, topped with soft, fluffy homemade dumplings. With simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s a hearty, comforting meal perfect for any day.
Looking for more hearty, single serving chicken recipes, try our comforting Chicken Stew, savory Chicken Cacciatore, zesty White Chicken Chili, and creamy Mustard Chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Straightforward steps and simple ingredients make this dish a breeze to prepare.
- Quick Comfort Food: A satisfying meal that comes together in no time.
- Customizable: Easily adjusted for dietary preferences with simple ingredient swaps.
- Waste-Free: Designed for one serving, so there are no leftovers to worry about.
- Comforting: A warm, hearty dish that feels like home.
- Scales Up: Want to make Chicken and Dumplings for two? Just double the ingredients.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch Chicken and Dumplings recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables. You can substitute with butter for a richer flavor.
- Onions and Garlic: These add depth and aroma to the dish. Leeks or shallots can be used as alternatives.
- Celery and Carrots: Provide texture and natural sweetness. If you have leftover celery or carrots, use them in Macaroni Salad, Split Pea Soup, or Beef Stew.
- Chicken: This recipe uses a chicken breast, but chicken thighs work just as well. Extra boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used in Chicken Tacos, Chicken Tikka Masala, or Chicken Marsala.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the flavorful base of the dish. I recommend low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt level. Leftover broth is perfect for Lasagna Soup or Spanish Rice.
For the Dumplings
- Flour: All-purpose flour creates the dumpling structure. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend.
- Baking Powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become light and fluffy.
- Sugar and Salt: Enhance flavor.
- Butter: Adds richness to the dumplings. Dairy-free butter can be used as a substitute.
- Milk: Provides moisture for the dumpling batter. Use any variety of cow’s milk or a non-dairy alternative like almond or soy milk.
Recipe Variations
Customize this single serving Chicken and Dumplings recipe to suit your preferences with these easy variations:
- Herbs: Add rosemary, thyme, or parsley to the broth for fresh, aromatic flavor.
- Spices: Sprinkle in paprika or a pinch of cayenne for a touch of heat.
- Vegetarian: Replace the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth instead.
- Creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk for a richer, creamier broth.
- Seafood: Substitute the chicken with shrimp or a mild fish to create a pescatarian version.
How To Make Homemade Dumplings
My mom always used Bisquick mix for her dumplings, and while they were delicious, I’ve found this homemade version to be even better. It uses simple pantry staples and skips the hassle of rolling out dough.
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Cut butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in milk until a soft dough forms.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dough directly into your simmering chicken stew.
How To Make Chicken And Dumplings
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this recipe for chicken and dumplings for one. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic, and cook until tender.
- Add the Chicken: Place the chicken breast into the pot and season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the pot.
- Cook the Dumplings: In a medium bowl, prepare the dumpling batter. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the pot, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through.
Expert Tips
- Dumplings: Keep the dough soft but not too sticky for a light texture. Avoid over-mixing to prevent tough dumplings. Make sure to keep the lid on the pot while the dumplings cook, as they steam and need the trapped heat to cook properly.
- Broth: If you’d like a thicker broth, simmer it longer to allow it to reduce.
- Chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from another meal.
- Vegetables: For extra flavor, sauté the vegetables until lightly golden before adding them to the broth.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your Chicken and Dumplings with these simple side dishes:
- Salad: A fresh cucumber salad adds a refreshing contrast.
- Bread: Serve with a slice of French bread or a dinner roll to soak up the flavorful broth.
- Wine: A glass of Chardonnay or another light white wine complements the dish.
- Vegetables: Try sautéed green beans or roasted brussels sprouts topped with Parmesan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, chicken thighs work well and add extra flavor. Use boneless, skinless thighs for easier shredding.
Yes, rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken can be used. Add it to the broth after simmering the vegetables.
Yes! Simply double all the ingredients and use a 3 or 4-quart pot to make a larger batch.
The dumplings should be firm to the touch and no longer doughy in the center after 15 minutes of covered simmering.
It’s best to prepare the dumpling batter fresh, as it might dry out or lose its texture if made too far in advance.
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two days.
More Single Serving Chicken Recipes
Cooking for one can be both fun and rewarding! Try these flavorful single serving chicken recipes, each designed just for you:
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried our single serving Chicken and Dumplings or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Chicken and Dumplings For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup chopped carrots
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 (4 to 6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth
For the Dumplings
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons salted butter -cold
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, and carrots, and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken breast in the pot and season with salt and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender enough to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the pot or transfer it to a cutting board to shred before returning it to the pot.
- Prepare the Dumplings: In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter using your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until a soft dough forms. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the simmering soup, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Serve hot.
Notes
- Dumplings: Keep the dough soft but not too sticky for a light texture. Avoid over-mixing to prevent tough dumplings. Make sure to keep the lid on the pot while the dumplings cook, as they steam and need the trapped heat to cook properly.
- Broth: If you’d like a thicker broth, simmer it longer to allow it to reduce.
- Chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from another meal.
- Vegetables: For extra flavor, sauté the vegetables until lightly golden before adding them to the broth.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
As a widow whose had bariatric surgery, I’d practically given up cooking. Even a simple boxed meal produces so much food waste for me (one can only eat so many leftovers). This site is a absolute blessing. Each of these recipes will make 4 or 5 meals for me (post bariatric surgery tummies are tiny) which means I’ll actually be able to finish a recipe before the leftovers go bad. So thank you for giving me a reason to use my cookware again!
I’m so happy our recipes are helpful to you, Cynthia!
When I first discovered this recipe/site, I made this 4 times in a week; it was so good! I’ve found you definitely need to keep adding broth depending on how hot your stove gets/how thick you want it. I prefer mine like more of a stew consistency, so I let it reduce pretty low. While the dumplings are simmering for the 15 I throw a huge sprig of rosemary in, a splash of heavy cream, frozen sweet corn, and a heavy sprinkle of paprika in. I also tend to add a little more salt to my taste. It always hits the spot and makes one huge bowl!!
I have yet to try this recipe, but I am thrilled that there is an option to keep the screen on. I’ve never seen that before and it drives me crazy to be in the middle of recipe and my phone goes dark, thanks Joanie!
I love the feature too!!
Made this again today, delicious! There’s always enough for two meals for me. Thanks for all the great recipes!
Very good but I’d like to see some low carb recipes
Thanks, Crystal! We have hundreds of low carb recipes. Finding these recipes on our website is easy. At the top of each page, you’ll find a menu. Simply click on “Recipes,” and then choose “Recipes By Diet” from the dropdown options. Alternatively, you can visit our Recipes Page directly. Once there, scroll down to “Recipes By Diet” where you’ll find a selection of recipes that should meet your requirements.
I hope this helps, and that you find plenty of new recipes to enjoy!