Great Chicken and Dumplings Recipe: A Comfort Food Classic
Chicken and dumplings – the ultimate comfort food! This recipe will guide you through making a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying dish that's perfect for a chilly evening or any time you crave a warm hug in a bowl. We'll focus on creating a rich chicken broth, perfectly cooked chicken, and fluffy dumplings that melt in your mouth. Let's get started!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe makes enough to serve 6-8 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
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, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large onion, 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
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing the Chicken Broth:
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken, water, carrots, celery, onion, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: 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 aside.
- Strain the Broth: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the vegetables and any remaining impurities.
Making the Dumplings:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined – don't overmix. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
- Drop Dumplings: Bring the strained chicken broth back to a simmer. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the simmering broth, leaving some space between each dumpling.
Combining and Finishing:
- Cook the Dumplings: Cover the pot and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
- Add Chicken: Stir in the shredded chicken.
- Serve: Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls and serve immediately. You can garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Tips for the Perfect Chicken and Dumplings:
- Bone-in Chicken for Flavor: Using bone-in chicken yields a richer, more flavorful broth.
- Don't Overmix the Dumplings: Overmixing the dumpling batter will result in tough dumplings.
- Simmer Gently: Simmering the dumplings gently prevents them from becoming tough.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Variations:
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the broth, such as potatoes, turnips, or green beans.
- Use Different Herbs: Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as rosemary, sage, or oregano.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in a splash of cream or milk at the end for a richer, creamier dish.
This recipe is a great starting point – feel free to customize it to your liking! Enjoy your delicious homemade chicken and dumplings!
