The Best Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 medium carrots, halved lengthwise, sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 2 celery stalks, sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 1 medium onion, diced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 1/2 cups homemade chicken stock (see Cook's Note)
• 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, plus more for serving
• 1 cup frozen peas

Dumplings:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup whole milk

Description

1. For the chicken: Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a lid over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the carrots, celery, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables just begin to soften but don't take on any color, 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer until completely evaporated, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the butter until completely melted. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir until it is completely incorporated and a sandy paste forms. Pour in the milk and stir until the flour has been smoothly incorporated into the liquid.
3. Add the chicken and the chicken stock to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the parsley and peas and remove from the heat.
4. For the dumplings: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter until just combined, then add the milk and stir until a ball of dough forms.
5. Use a small ice cream scoop or measuring cup to scoop 10 balls of dough into the pot (about 2 tablespoons each). Cover the pot and simmer over medium-low until the dumplings have puffed up and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 15 minutes. Divide among bowls and sprinkle with more parsley.