Nut-Warm Homestyle Chicken Dumplings

Featured in: Lemon-&-Herb Home Dinners

This homestyle dish features tender chicken thighs simmered with aromatic herbs and finely chopped walnuts, creating a subtle nutty flavor throughout the stew. Fluffy dumplings, made with a walnut-infused batter, are dropped directly into the simmering broth to cook until puffed and tender. The combination offers a hearty, comforting experience, ideal for chilly evenings or family dinners. Garnished with fresh parsley, the dish balances savory warmth and fresh herbal notes with each bite.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:45:00 GMT
Nut-Warm Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings showcasing fluffy dumplings atop a rich, savory broth. Save on Pinterest
Nut-Warm Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings showcasing fluffy dumplings atop a rich, savory broth. | lemoncairn.com

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

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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 s aute 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 7 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 20 minutes, until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
Step 7:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
A steaming bowl of Nut-Warm Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings, perfect for a cold evening meal. Save on Pinterest
A steaming bowl of Nut-Warm Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings, perfect for a cold evening meal. | lemoncairn.com

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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.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 470 Total Fat: 23 g Carbohydrates: 38 g Protein: 28 g

Close-up of golden dumplings in Nut-Warm Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings, with tender chicken. Save on Pinterest
Close-up of golden dumplings in Nut-Warm Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings, with tender chicken. | lemoncairn.com

A delicious dish with nutty warmth perfect for any occasion

Recipe Questions & Answers

What gives the dish its nutty warmth?

Finely chopped walnuts are added to both the stew and dumplings, imparting a subtle, natural nutty flavor throughout the dish.

Can I substitute walnuts with other nuts?

Yes, pecans or hazelnuts can be used as alternatives for a different but complementary nutty taste.

How are the dumplings cooked in this dish?

Dumpling batter is spooned directly onto the simmering stew and cooked covered until puffed and tender, absorbing the stew’s flavors.

What herbs are used to flavor the stew?

Dried thyme, sage, bay leaves, and a pinch of ground nutmeg combine to create an aromatic, earthy flavor base.

Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?

Yes, by substituting the buttermilk and milk with plant-based alternatives and using oil instead of butter in the dumplings.

What type of cooking vessel is recommended?

A large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot is ideal for even heat distribution during simmering and dumpling cooking.

Nut-Warm Homestyle Chicken Dumplings

Tender chicken and fluffy dumplings enriched with walnuts for a warm, comforting meal.

Prep Time
25 min
Time to Cook
50 min
Overall Time
75 min


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Portions

Dietary details None specified

What You Need

Stew

01 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 2 tbsp olive oil
03 1 large onion, diced
04 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
05 3 celery stalks, sliced
06 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 1/2 cup shelled walnuts, finely chopped
09 1 tsp dried thyme
10 1 tsp dried sage
11 2 bay leaves
12 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
13 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Dumplings

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 2 tsp baking powder
03 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 3/4 tsp salt
05 1/4 cup ground walnuts
06 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped (optional)
07 3/4 cup buttermilk
08 1/4 cup milk
09 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

How to Make It

Step 01

Sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken and sauté until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Step 02

Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, cook onion, carrots, and celery for 6 to 7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 03

Simmer stew base: Return chicken to the pot with chicken broth, walnuts, thyme, sage, bay leaves, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.

Step 04

Prepare dumpling dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground walnuts, and chives if using.

Step 05

Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, milk, and melted butter. Pour into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined without overmixing.

Step 06

Cook dumplings: Remove bay leaves from the stew. Drop heaping tablespoons of dumpling dough onto the simmering stew using a spoon or ice cream scoop. Cover tightly and cook for 18 to 20 minutes until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.

Step 07

Finish and serve: Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Equipment Needed

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Ladle
  • Spoon or ice cream scoop

Allergy Alerts

Review ingredients for allergens and contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
  • Contains tree nuts (walnuts), dairy, gluten (wheat)

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Nutritional content is for informational use and is not a substitute for healthcare advice.
  • Calorie Count: 470
  • Total Fat: 23 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 28 g