Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced into rounds
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep mahogany brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4-5 minutes until onions are translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle 2 tbsp of flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to ensure no lumps remain. Return the browned chicken to the pot.
- Bring the stew to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir in the milk and melted butter using a light folding technique; mix until just combined to avoid developing too much gluten.
- Using a cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the surface of the simmering stew.
- Cover the Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 12-15 minutes without lifting the lid, until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.