Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect dumplings is to not overmix the dough. This dish is cozy, hearty, and perfect for winter dinners. Pair it with Mint and Lemon Verbena Iced Tea for a refreshing drink. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Smoked Baby Potatoes and Refreshing Blueberry Coconut Water Drink.
Why This Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy and comforting
- Easy to make
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
- Dried parsley
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- chicken broth: You can use low-sodium or regular.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes blending the soup easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Step 1: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook in a large pot until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Add the peas, chicken broth, bay leaf, and dried parsley. Bring to a boil.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the dumpling ingredients. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling liquid. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Return the chicken to the pot. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overmix the dumpling dough. It should be lumpy. If it's too wet, add a bit more flour.
- : For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with diced vegetables like carrots and celery.
- : You can make this dish in the slow cooker. Cook the chicken and vegetables, then add the dumplings in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
Storing & Reheating Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make the chicken and vegetable mixture ahead of time. Add the dumplings when you're ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Freeze the uncooked dumplings for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use chicken thighs instead of breasts. They have more flavor and stay moist.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with turkey or beef.
- Make-ahead: You can make the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dumplings are too hard, they've been overcooked. Next time, reduce the simmering time.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
- Dried parsley
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook in a large pot until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Add the peas, chicken broth, bay leaf, and dried parsley. Bring to a boil.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the dumpling ingredients. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling liquid. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Return the chicken to the pot. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use chicken thighs instead of breasts. They have more flavor and stay moist.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with turkey or beef.
- Make-ahead: You can make the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dumplings are too hard, they've been overcooked. Next time, reduce the simmering time.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the uncooked dumplings for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can make the chicken and vegetable mixture ahead of time. Add the dumplings when you're ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can make the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. However, don't drop the dumplings into the pot until you're ready to serve.
If the dumplings are too hard, they've been overcooked. Next time, reduce the simmering time. Also, ensure you're not overmixing the dough.
Yes, you can make this dish in the slow cooker. Cook the chicken and vegetables, then add the dumplings in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
Yes, you can use fresh peas. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time as fresh peas take longer to cook.
The dumplings in this recipe contain flour. To make it gluten-free, you can substitute the flour with a gluten-free alternative or use a gluten-free dumpling mix.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
