Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Lightened-Up Recipe

Wholesome rolled oat dumplings and fragrant fresh dill elevate this hearty chicken and dumplings lightened-up to a comforting favorite you’ll always want at the heart of your cozy dinner table. It’s delicious with a crisp garden salad, roasted root vegetables, a slice of warm crusty bread, a glass of chilled Chardonnay; in fact most things.

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Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Lightened-Up Recipe Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 cups trimmed and halved green beans
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill

How To Make Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Lightened-Up Recipe

1. Sauté the mirepoix: Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over a medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped celery, carrots, onions, and garlic. Cook the vegetables, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until they are softened and aromatic. This creates the essential flavor base for your soup.
2. Simmer the vegetable base: Pour the chicken broth into the Dutch oven and bring it to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes. This allows the vegetables to become perfectly tender and the broth to absorb their savory sweetness.
3. Craft the oat dumplings: While the broth simmers, place the rolled oats in a food processor and grind them until they are fine. In a medium bowl, combine the oat flour with the all-purpose flour, baking powder, lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Use your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until only very small pieces remain. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup of ice water, a little at a time, until a soft dough forms. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes to allow the oats to hydrate.
4. Cook the dumplings and beans: Carefully drop cherry-sized bits of the dumpling dough into the simmering soup. Add the trimmed green beans and stir very gently to avoid breaking the dumplings. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 12 minutes until the dumplings are floating and cooked through, and the green beans are bright green and crisp-tender.
5. Poach the chicken: Add the chicken breast pieces to the pot. Continue to cook for about 3 minutes, just until the chicken is cooked through and opaque. This short cooking time ensures the breast meat remains succulent and tender rather than becoming tough.
6. Finish with fresh herbs: Remove the Dutch oven from the heat. Stir in the finely chopped fresh dill, which provides a bright, herbal finish. Season the dish to taste with additional salt and pepper before serving in deep, warmed bowls.

Recipe Tips

• Dumpling Sizing: Aim for “cherry-size” dough balls. If the dumplings are too large, they may become heavy in the middle; smaller bits ensure a light, airy texture that cooks evenly.
• The Oat Advantage: Grinding your own oats adds a wonderful nuttiness and extra fiber to the dumplings, making them more satiating than traditional flour-only versions.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Adding the chicken at the very end is the secret to a “lightened-up” dish that doesn’t taste dry. The residual heat of the soup is often enough to finish the small pieces perfectly.
• Resting the Dough: That 10-minute rest for the dough is crucial. It allows the fiber in the oats to soak up the moisture, making the dough much easier to handle when dropping it into the soup.

What To Serve With Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Lightened-Up Recipe?

This Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Lightened-Up Recipe is a complete, balanced meal that needs a fresh or earthy pairing! A Crisp Garden Salad with a light lemon vinaigrette is the quintessential choice to cut through the creamy richness of the dumplings. For a heartier side, Roasted Root Vegetables like parsnips or beets add a lovely sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory chicken broth! A side of Warm Crusty Bread or a glass of Chilled Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with the dill and lemon notes.

How To Store Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Lightened-Up Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Note that the dumplings will continue to absorb liquid as they sit, so you may need to add a splash of broth when reheating.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Avoid a vigorous boil to keep the dumplings from falling apart.
• Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze this dish. The dumplings can become spongy and the green beans will lose their crisp-tender texture upon thawing.

Hearty Chicken and Dumplings Lightened-Up Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 376 kcal
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 73 mg
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Fiber: 5 g

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