Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the dumplings light and fluffy. The cozy, creamy texture will warm you up on chilly evenings. Try it with my Easy Homemade Peanut Sauce for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for Hearty Dinners and Easy Homemade Peanut Sauce Recipe for Dinner or Snacks.
Why This Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout taste
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Comforting and filling for dinner
- Perfect for meal prepping
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 fresh or frozen peas
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken broth: You can substitute with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
🛒 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: In a large pot, combine peas, chicken broth, chicken breasts, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and stir until smooth. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of batter into the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, until dumplings are cooked through and chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from the pot and shred. Stir in butter and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve peas and dumplings with shredded chicken on top.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- : To prevent the dumplings from being tough, don't overmix the batter and let it rest for 5 minutes before dropping into the pot.
- Common mistake and fix: If your dumplings are falling apart, you might be stirring them too much. Let them cook undisturbed for the best results.
- : For a thicker soup, mash some of the peas against the side of the pot with a spoon before serving.
- : To make this recipe in the slow cooker, combine all ingredients except dumplings in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Drop dumplings into the pot in the last 20 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 peas ahead of time and reheat before adding the dumplings.
Freezing Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip the chicken.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with cooked sausage or ham for a different flavor.
- Make-ahead: You can make the dumpling batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are sticking to the pot, make sure you're using enough oil and not overcrowding the pot.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect dumplings → Check price on Amazon
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine peas, chicken broth, chicken breasts, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and stir until smooth. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of batter into the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, until dumplings are cooked through and chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from the pot and shred. Stir in butter and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve peas and dumplings with shredded chicken on top.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip the chicken.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with cooked sausage or ham for a different flavor.
- Make-ahead: You can make the dumpling batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are sticking to the pot, make sure you're using enough oil and not overcrowding the pot.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can make the chicken and peas ahead of time and reheat before adding the dumplings.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
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 chicken and peas ahead of time and reheat before adding the dumplings. However, it's best to make the dumplings fresh.
Overmixing the batter and not letting it rest can make the dumplings tough. Also, stirring them too much while cooking can cause them to fall apart.
Yes, you can. Combine all ingredients except dumplings in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Drop dumplings into the pot in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Mashing some of the peas against the side of the pot with a spoon before serving can help thicken the soup.
A side of cornbread or biscuits goes well with this dish. You can also serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
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!
