Chicken and Dumplings: A Comfort Food Classic
Chicken and dumplings – the ultimate comfort food! This recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken in a rich, savory broth, topped with fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings. It's a dish that warms the soul and satisfies the hunger. Let's dive into this hearty recipe!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe makes a generous serving, perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in.
For the Chicken and Broth:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), or 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 12 cups water
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1 cup milk
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preparing the Chicken Broth:
- Rinse and prepare: Rinse the chicken thoroughly. Place the chicken in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Add the water, carrots, celery, onion, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds.
- Remove and shred: Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, shred the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Set the shredded chicken aside.
Making the Dumplings:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in butter: Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add milk: Gradually add the milk, mixing until a soft dough forms. Don't overmix.
- Drop into broth: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering chicken broth.
- Cook the dumplings: Cover the pot and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
Combining and Serving:
- Add chicken: Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.
- Simmer (optional): Simmer for another 5 minutes to heat the chicken through and allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley (optional).
Tips for the Perfect Chicken and Dumplings:
- Bone-in chicken is best: Using bone-in chicken yields a richer, more flavorful broth.
- Don't overwork the dough: Overmixing the dumpling dough will result in tough dumplings.
- Adjust seasoning to taste: Add more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed to suit your preferences.
- Make it ahead: The chicken broth can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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SEO Best Practices:
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