Chicken or turkey with dumplings
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Chicken or turkey with dumplings is a hearty, soul-warming stew where tender poultry simmers in a rich, savory broth alongside soft, pillowy dough balls or flat, noodle-like dumplings. The dish offers a comforting contrast of textures, from the succulent meat to the chewy, broth-soaked dumplings, with a mild, savory flavor profile. Nutritionally, it provides a solid protein boost with a moderate calorie count, making it a satisfying yet relatively light meal option.
Calorie split: 43% protein · 22% carbs · 34% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore this dish for its nostalgic, home-cooked comfort, often evoking memories of family gatherings and cold-weather meals. Its versatility allows for variations with different herbs, vegetables, or dumpling styles, making it a customizable staple in many households.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can be high in sodium, especially if made with store-bought broth or processed dumplings, which may concern those monitoring blood pressure. To counteract this, opt for low-sodium broth, use fresh herbs for flavor, and pair with a side of steamed vegetables to increase fiber and nutrient intake. Additionally, the dumplings are carbohydrate-heavy, so portion control is key for those managing blood sugar levels.
Key benefits
- High in protein for muscle maintenance and satiety
- Moderate calorie density supports portion control
- Contains B vitamins from poultry for energy metabolism
- Low in sugar, making it suitable for low-sugar diets
- Provides a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and fats
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
In the American South, dumplings are often rolled flat and cut into strips, while in the Midwest, they are typically dropped as fluffy balls, reflecting regional culinary traditions.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 69.2 g |
| Energy | 144 kcal |
| Protein | 15.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 5.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.30 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.45 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 50.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.99 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 157 mg |
| Potassium, K | 176 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 488 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.97 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 14.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.12 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.15 mg |
| Niacin | 4.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Folate, total | 16.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 22.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 37.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.23 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 9.0 ug |
| Retinol | 9.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.34 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.0 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.97 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.37 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.2 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.25 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.98 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 61.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Turnover, chicken- or turkey-, and vegetable-filled, reduced fat, frozen — USDA does not publish this profile for Chicken or turkey with dumplings.
| Tryptophan | 0.16 g |
| Threonine | 0.41 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.47 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.61 g |
| Methionine | 0.23 g |
| Cystine | 0.13 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.47 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.37 g |
| Valine | 0.53 g |
| Arginine | 0.51 g |
| Histidine | 0.30 g |
| Alanine | 0.45 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.80 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.38 g |
| Proline | 0.87 g |
| Serine | 0.42 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is chicken or turkey with dumplings high in protein?
Yes, it provides about 15.69g of protein per 100g, making it a good source of protein for muscle repair and satiety.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free flour for the dumplings or substitute with rice-based dumplings, but check the broth for hidden gluten.
How can I reduce the calorie content?
Use lean turkey breast, reduce the number of dumplings, and add more vegetables like carrots or celery to bulk up the stew without extra calories.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.44 kcal/g · 44% calories from protein · 0.3 g fiber · 0.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.77 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.