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Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

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A classic Southern comfort food featuring tender chicken simmered in a creamy broth with soft, pillowy dumplings that soak up the flavorful gravy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 3 to 4 pounds), cut into pieces
  • 12 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrot

Instructions

  1. Place chicken pieces in a large pot and cover with 12 cups of water. Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour until chicken is tender.
  2. Remove chicken from broth and set aside to cool. Strain broth and return to pot. Skim fat from broth surface.
  3. In a bowl, combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk to form a soft dough.
  4. Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 1-inch squares.
  5. Shred cooled chicken, discarding skin and bones. Set aside.
  6. In the broth, melt butter and whisk in 1/4 cup flour to make a roux. Cook until bubbly and slightly thickened.
  7. Add black pepper, poultry seasoning, celery, onion, and carrot to the broth. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
  8. Add shredded chicken back to the pot.
  9. Drop dumplings by the inch into the simmering broth. Cover and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  10. After 15 minutes, uncover and cook an additional 10 minutes until dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.

Notes

For best results, do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking to ensure they steam properly. You can substitute fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for poultry seasoning for a fresher flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.rapidrecipes.blog/chicken-and-dumplings/