Loretta Lynn’s Famous Southern Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Is Hearty and Creamy Comfort in a Bowl

The perfect fall and winter stew is one that’s both hearty and filling. For me, chicken and dumplings fit that bill perfectly. You can’t go wrong with shredded chicken and pillowy dumplings smothered in a gravy-like broth—and you really can’t go wrong with a recipe that has bona fide southern roots. Enter Loretta Lynn’s famous chicken and dumplings recipe. The late country music icon was a fan of this beloved dish, and her traditional take on it yields delicious results every time. Read on to learn more about Loretta’s delight for this dish and her classic recipe.

Loretta Lynn’s love for chicken and dumplings 

Lynn’s love for this dish knew no bounds. In a 2020 cover issue, she revealed to us that the southern specialty was a personal favorite. “I love to make chicken and dumplings for people when they come over,” she shared in the interview. “I roll them out and drop them in one at a time. I use a whole chicken—the fatter the chicken, the better the dumplings.”

Though she’s, of course, better known for her country music legacy, Lynn’s favorite meals live on in her cookbook, You’re Cookin’ it Country. Her chicken and dumplings recipe features flat dumplings—which, as opposed to the fluffier variety, are unique to southern preparations of the dish—and yields eight servings.

How to make her homemade chicken and dumplings recipe

Below, you’ll find Loretta’s recipe for this comforting dish. The recipe doesn’t dictate how thick or wide the dough should be, so follow your gut when the instructions tell you to “roll the dough onto a floured surface” and “cut the dough into strips.” Yum!

Chicken and Dumplings

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Ingredients:

• 1 large chicken (I used a 4.8-lb. chicken)
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 1 tsp. salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1 cup water
• 1 egg, beaten
• 6 to 8 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 Tbs. cornstarch (optional)
• Black pepper

Directions:

• Active: 30 mins
• Total time: 2 hrs, 50 mins
• Yield: 6 to 8 servings

1. For chicken: Place chicken and garlic in large pot, and fill with enough water to cover chicken. Bring to boil, then cover and cook 2 hours, adding additional water, if needed.
2. Remove chicken from pot and allow broth to cool before straining, skimming fat, and storing.
3. For dumplings: In large bowl, sift together flour and salt; gradually stir in 1 cup water before adding egg. Mix and knead dough thoroughly. Roll onto floured surface and cut dough into strips.
4. In second pot, bring 6 to 8 cups chicken broth to boil. Drop dumplings into boiling broth, then cover and simmer about 10 minutes.
5. Add cream and chicken pieces to second pot; simmer 5 to 10 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For thicker consistency, mix 2 Tbs. creamy broth and cornstarch in small bowl. Pour cornstarch mixture into pot and simmer until it’s thickened.
6. Serve in bowls and enjoy.

My Taste Test

I enjoyed every step of making this recipe, from shredding the boiled chicken to mixing the dumpling dough. Working the dough and watching the dumplings bubble and whir in the boiling water was soul satisfying, and the result of my efforts was a tender chicken, soft dumplings and an intensely savory sauce. One adjustment I’ll make for next time is adding fresh dill and carrots to the mix. The dish is rich, which meant that one generous serving was more than enough to fill me up. Ultimately, it checks both of my boxes: simple to make, and comforting to eat. I’ll definitely be making it a mealtime staple this winter.