Nut-warm Homestyle Chicken Dumplings

A hearty, comforting stew featuring tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a subtle nutty warmth&mdashperfect for cozy family dinners or chilly evenings.

I first served this to my family on a chilly evening, and it quickly became a favorite for our cozy dinners together.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs: cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion: diced
• 3 carrots: peeled and sliced
• 3 celery stalks: sliced
• 3 cloves garlic: minced
• 8 cups (2 L) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (60 g) shelled walnuts: finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley: for garnish
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup (30 g) ground walnuts
• 2 tbsp fresh chives: chopped (optional)
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) buttermilk
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
• 3 tbsp (45 g) unsalted butter: melted

Instructions

Step 1:

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and sauté until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Step 2:

In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6&ndash7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 3:

Add the chicken back to the pot with chicken broth, walnuts, thyme, sage, bay leaves, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.

Step 4:

While the stew simmers, prepare the dumplings: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground walnuts. Add chives if using.

Step 5:

In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, milk, and melted butter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined (do not overmix).

Step 6:

Remove bay leaves from the stew. Using a spoon or small ice cream scoop, drop heaping tablespoons of dumpling dough onto the simmering stew. Cover the pot tightly and cook for 18&ndash20 minutes, until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.

Step 7:

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

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This recipe always brings our family together, filling the home with warmth and happiness.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture.

Required Tools

Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, mixing bowls, whisk, ladle, spoon or ice cream scoop

Allergen Information

Contains tree nuts (walnuts), dairy, gluten (wheat). May contain traces of other allergens depending on ingredient brands&always check labels if unsure.

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Serve this dish fresh&it tastes best warm and comforting.

Recipe FAQs

→ What gives the stew its nutty warmth?

Chopped walnuts added to both the stew and dumplings impart a subtle nutty flavor and warmth throughout the dish.

→ Can I substitute walnuts with other nuts?

Yes, pecans or hazelnuts can be used in place of walnuts to maintain a similar nutty profile.

→ How do I ensure dumplings stay fluffy and tender?

Use a light mixing technique when combining the wet and dry ingredients and avoid overmixing the dumpling dough before cooking.

→ What cooking equipment is recommended?

A large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot is ideal for even heat distribution while simmering the stew and cooking the dumplings.

→ Can this dish be made dairy-free?

Yes, substitute plant-based milk and oil for dairy ingredients in the dumplings to make the dish suitable for dairy-free diets.