Healthy Chicken and Dumplings

By Adam Fisher
Published 1/30/2025
Dietitian Reviewed: Erin McNamara, RDN, LDN, CLT
Approved for These Diets:
Heart Healthy | Diabetic | Adventist
Healthy Chicken and Dumplings

Our Healthy Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a great way to enjoy a warm, homemade classic! Made with lean chicken breast, whole wheat dumplings, and fresh vegetables, it’s packed with protein and fiber while staying low in sodium. Skim milk and unsalted cream of chicken soup create a velvety texture without excess fat or salt, making it a great choice for heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly diets. Slow-cooked to perfection, the dumplings soak up the rich, herb-infused broth, creating a cozy meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious. Whether for a chilly evening or a family gathering, this healthy, high-protein comfort food delivers warmth and flavor without unnecessary sodium or added sugars.

For more bowls of comfort, enjoy checking out all of our delicious heart-healthy soup recipes!

Total Time
120 minutes
Servings
6
Calories
423
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Ingredients

Recipe yields 6 servings

Soup

Dumplings

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How to Make Chicken and Dumplings

Soup

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, potato, and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  2. Step 2

    Stir in the thyme, sage, black pepper, bay leaf, and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to a 6-quart crockpot and discard bay leaf. Set the skillet aside to use later.

  3. Step 3

    Add the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, parsley and lemon juice to the slow cooker; stir to combine. Cover and set the crockpot on LOW while preparing the dumplings.

Dumplings

  1. Step 1

    In a small bowl, whisk together the skim milk and lemon juice to make buttermilk. Let stand for at least 10 minutes until it begins to thicken.

  2. Step 2

    In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour in the prepared buttermilk. Using a rubber spatula, stir to combine. The batter should be thick enough to scoop. Let rest for at least 5 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    In the skillet used for the vegetables, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle the flour over top, whisk, and cook until flour is golden brown, about 1 minute. Gradually add the milk a few splashes at a time, whisking constantly to remove any lumps. Bring to a gentle boil, whisking continuously, to remove any residual lumps and until mixture thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the milk mixture to the slow cooker; stir to combine.

  4. Step 4

    Turn crockpot to HIGH. With a medium-sized scoop or spoon, scoop dumpling dough by generous tablespoons and drop it on top of soup, spreading them evenly. Cover and cook for 1½ hours, until dumplings are cooked through. To check to see if they are done, remove one from the slow cooker and cut it in half to make sure it is no longer raw inside.

  5. Step 5

    Serve hot garnished with fresh thyme. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:
1 cup

423
Calories
11
g
Fat
52
mg
Cholesterol
256
mg
Sodium
55
g
Carbs
3
g
Sat. Fat
7
g
Fiber
9
g
Protein
9
g
Sugars
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