Lightened Chicken And Dumplings – Cozy, Healthy Southern Comfort Food

Growing up in a kitchen where comfort food meant love, I learned early that recipes should nourish both body and soul. At Eminent Recipes, I focus on making classic dishes lighter, easier, and realistic for everyday life. This Lightened Chicken and Dumplings recipe is my healthier take on a southern homemade favorite—full of cozy flavor, simple ingredients, and perfect for busy families who still crave real comfort food.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Lightened Chicken And Dumplings recipe brings everything you love about southern homemade chicken and dumplings while keeping it lighter, balanced, and perfect for everyday cooking. It’s a cozy chicken and dumplings meal that feels comforting without being heavy, making it ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners. Using healthy dumplings for stew and lean chicken, this dish delivers classic flavor with a low calorie dumplings recipe approach that still satisfies.

You’ll love how easy this lightened chicken and dumplings recipe is to customize. Make it on the stovetop, adapt it into lightened chicken and dumplings slow cooker style, or even use lightened chicken and dumplings with biscuits for a shortcut. It’s a true one-pot chicken and dumplings recipe that saves time, reduces cleanup, and fits real life.

Inspired by grandma’s chicken and dumplings recipe but updated for modern kitchens, this dish is family-friendly, warm, and dependable. Whether you’re craving chicken dumpling comfort or a healthier take on a classic, Lightened Chicken And Dumplings delivers flavor, simplicity, and nostalgia in every bowl.

Ingredients for This Recipe

The ingredients for this Lightened Chicken And Dumplings recipe are simple, wholesome, and carefully chosen to keep the dish comforting yet balanced. Lean chicken forms the base of this classic chicken and dumplings recipe, providing protein without extra heaviness. Fresh vegetables add natural flavor and texture, while low-sodium broth and low-fat milk create a creamy base without excess calories. The healthy dumplings for stew are soft and fluffy, made with pantry staples to support a low calorie dumplings recipe that still feels traditional. Every ingredient works together to deliver cozy chicken and dumplings that taste like a southern homemade favorite, just lighter and more weeknight-friendly.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6):

For the Chicken & Broth:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs, trimmed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup unsweetened low-fat milk (or almond milk)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley

For the Healthy Dumplings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted light butter
• ½ cup low-fat milk

How to Make This Recipe

Making Lightened Chicken And Dumplings is all about building comforting flavor in simple, intentional steps. This chicken and dumplings recipe starts by gently cooking lean chicken to keep it tender, then layering in vegetables and broth to create a rich yet balanced base. Simmering everything together allows the cozy chicken and dumplings flavor to develop without relying on heavy cream. The healthy dumplings for stew are mixed quickly and cooked directly in the pot, keeping this a true one-pot meal. This easy lightened chicken and dumplings method delivers southern homemade chicken and dumplings taste with a low calorie dumplings recipe approach.

🛒 Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and lightly brown the chicken until just cooked, creating a flavorful base for the chicken and dumplings recipe.
• Remove chicken, then sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until soft and fragrant for classic southern homemade chicken and dumplings flavor.
• Pour in low-sodium chicken broth, low-fat milk, and seasonings, then return the chicken to create a lightened chicken and dumplings broth.
• Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are fully softened.
• Mix the healthy dumplings for stew using flour, baking powder, milk, and oil until just combined for fluffy results.
• Drop dumpling dough into the simmering pot, cover, and cook until the dumplings are light, tender, and fully cooked.
• Stir gently and serve warm for a cozy chicken and dumplings meal that’s lighter, comforting, and family-friendly.

Expert Cooking Tips

Perfecting Lightened Chicken And Dumplings comes down to technique and smart ingredient choices. Using lean chicken keeps this chicken and dumplings recipe flavorful without extra fat, while low-sodium broth helps control salt and supports a balanced, lighter finish. Gentle simmering is key to achieving cozy chicken and dumplings texture without overcooking the chicken. The healthy dumplings for stew should be mixed just until combined to stay fluffy and support a low calorie dumplings recipe. These expert tips ensure southern homemade chicken and dumplings flavor while maintaining the comfort and simplicity of an easy lightened chicken and dumplings dish.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Use boneless, skinless chicken breast for a lean protein base in lightened chicken and dumplings.
• Keep the broth at a gentle simmer to prevent toughness and maintain a smooth chicken dumpling texture.
• Always use low-sodium chicken broth to control seasoning in a healthy chicken and dumplings recipe.
• Mix dumpling dough lightly to keep healthy dumplings for stew soft and tender.
• Drop dumplings into evenly spaced portions so they cook uniformly in the chicken and dumplings recipe.
• Cover the pot while dumplings cook to trap steam for fluffy results.
• Customize herbs and vegetables to make this cozy chicken and dumplings recipe your own without adding extra calories.

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Lightened Chicken And Dumplings proves that comfort food can still be wholesome, satisfying, and easy to make at home. This chicken and dumplings recipe delivers the cozy, southern homemade chicken and dumplings flavor everyone craves while keeping the dish balanced and lighter for everyday meals. With healthy dumplings for stew, simple ingredients, and one-pot convenience, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners. Whether made on the stovetop, adapted for a slow cooker, or customized with biscuits, Lightened Chicken And Dumplings is a comforting classic you can feel good about serving again and again.

Lightened Chicken and Dumplings

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~50 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Lactose

Print Recipe

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Description

A comforting bowl of southern homemade chicken and dumplings, made lighter without sacrificing flavor. Tender chicken, fluffy healthy dumplings, and a creamy-but-not-heavy broth make this a cozy classic you can enjoy any night of the week.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6):

For the Chicken & Broth:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs, trimmed)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 carrots, sliced

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 cup unsweetened low-fat milk (or almond milk)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• ½ teaspoon dried parsley

For the Healthy Dumplings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted light butter

• ½ cup low-fat milk

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly golden, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Build the Broth
In the same pot, add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Pour in chicken broth, milk, salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley.

Step 3: Simmer
Return chicken to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 15–20 minutes until chicken is tender. Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.

Step 4: Make the Dumplings
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in oil and milk until just combined (do not overmix).

Step 5: Cook Dumplings
Drop dumpling dough by spoonfuls into the simmering stew. Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.

 

Step 6: Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot for the ultimate cozy chicken and dumplings experience.

Notes

• Extra Light: Use skim milk and reduce dumpling size for a lower-calorie bowl.
• Slow Cooker Option: Cook everything except dumplings on LOW for 6–7 hours; add dumplings during the last 30–40 minutes.
• Biscuit Shortcut: For lightened chicken and dumplings with biscuits, use reduced-fat biscuit dough cut into quarters.
• Thickness Control: Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with water if you want a thicker broth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner / Comfort Food
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American / Southern