Chicken and Dumplings

A classic comfort food recipe that will warm your soul and satisfy your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• In a large pot, bring the chicken, water, and chicken broth to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool. Shred the chicken meat and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the vegetable shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until a dough forms.
• Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering broth. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and shredded chicken. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Popular Questions:

• Can I use store-bought chicken broth instead of making my own?

Yes, store-bought chicken broth can be used as a time-saving option. Just make sure to choose low-sodium broth to control the salt content of the dish.

• Can I use a rotisserie chicken instead of boiling a whole chicken?

Yes, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience. Simply shred the meat and add it to the pot with the vegetables and dumplings.

• Are there any gluten-free alternatives for the dumplings?

You can try using a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour for the dumplings. Adjust the consistency of the dough as needed.

Helpful Tips:

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of dried herbs such as thyme or rosemary to the dough when making the dumplings.
• To make the dish heartier, add additional vegetables like peas or potatoes to the pot.
• For a thicker broth, mix in a slurry of cornstarch and water towards the end of cooking.

Expert Secrets:

• Let the dough rest for a few minutes before adding it to the simmering broth to allow the baking powder to activate for fluffier dumplings.
• Don’t overwork the dumpling dough to avoid tough and dense dumplings. Mix until just combined.
• Keep the broth at a gentle simmer when cooking the dumplings to ensure they cook evenly and don’t fall apart.