This Old Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings Recipe is a timeless comfort food that’s perfect for a chilly evening or a family gathering. The dish features tender chicken and fluffy dumplings simmered in a rich and savory broth. While it requires a bit of time, the result is a hearty and flavorful meal that’s well worth the effort. This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating this classic dish from scratch.
Creating the Perfect Broth
The foundation of any good chicken and dumplings recipe is the broth. This recipe uses a whole chicken simmered with aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery to create a deeply flavorful base. The chicken is simmered until tender, infusing the broth with its rich essence. For added depth of flavor, consider including a bay leaf or a pinch of poultry seasoning. While the recipe calls for a whole chicken, you can save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and boxed chicken broth.
Mastering Homemade Dumplings
The star of this dish is undoubtedly the dumplings. This recipe guides you through making light and fluffy dumplings from scratch using simple pantry staples: flour, shortening, milk, baking powder, and salt. The dough is rolled out thinly and cut into strips, then simmered directly in the chicken broth until they become pillowy and tender. Don’t worry about making perfectly shaped dumplings; their rustic appearance adds to the charm of this homemade dish. The key is to roll the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness for the ideal texture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Chicken and Dumplings
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Prepare the Broth: Combine the chicken pieces, quartered onion, carrots cut into thirds, celery cut into thirds, chicken broth, salt, and optional seasonings (bay leaf or poultry seasoning) in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered until the chicken is cooked through (about 45-60 minutes).
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Make the Dumplings: While the chicken simmers, prepare the dumplings. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening in a bowl. Gradually add milk until a soft dough forms. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into 1-inch by 2-inch strips.
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Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the broth and let it cool slightly. Discard the skin and bones, then shred the chicken meat.
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Cook the Dumplings: Gently add the dumplings to the simmering broth. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender and cooked through.
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Combine and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the pot and heat through. For a thicker broth, whisk together cornstarch and water and add it to the broth until it reaches your desired consistency. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Tips for Success and Leftovers
- Thickening the Broth: A cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water) can be used to thicken the broth after the dumplings are cooked.
- Storing Leftovers: Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze broth and dumplings separately for longer storage.
- Freezing Dumplings: While you can freeze the dumplings, their texture might soften slightly upon thawing.
This old fashioned chicken and dumplings recipe is a true comfort food classic. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that your family will love. Enjoy!
