chicken and dumplings recipe

 Introduction:

Chicken and dumplings is a timeless dish that evokes feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. This quintessential comfort food combines tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. In this recipe, we will guide you through the process of creating a delicious pot of chicken and dumplings that will surely become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Stew:

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or 4-5 chicken breasts)

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1 medium onion, diced

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

3 celery stalks, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

3/4 cup milk

Instructions:

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides. This step adds flavor to the dish. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

In the same pot, add the diced onion, sliced carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened and fragrant.

Return the chicken to the pot along with any accumulated juices. Add the chicken broth, water, bay leaves, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

While the chicken is simmering, prepare the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the milk and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.

After the chicken has cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Discard the bones and return the shredded chicken to the pot.

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the stew to a gentle boil. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the simmering stew, spacing them apart. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and puffy.

Once the dumplings are cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Discard the bay leaves. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Serve the chicken and dumplings in bowls, ladling the flavorful stew with tender chicken and fluffy dumplings. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Conclusion:

Chicken and dumplings is a classic dish that offers the ultimate comfort food experience. With its rich flavors, tender chicken, and pillowy dumplings, it is sure to warm your heart and satisfy your taste buds. This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to help you create a pot of homemade chicken and dumplings that will impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and indulge in this delicious, soul-soothing meal.