Recipe of the Week: Chicken and Dumplings

A hearty bowl of chicken and dumplings is like a warm hug in a bowl.

Chicken and dumplings is a classic Southern American comfort dish with roots in both French and American culinary traditions. It became popular as a budget-friendly meal that could be easily prepared with simple, abundant ingredients. This dish is beloved for its rich, savory chicken stew and fluffy dumplings, which make it a staple in many homes, especially during the colder months.

🛒 Ingredients

For the chicken broth

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds)
• 8 cups water
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 onion, quartered
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the dumplings

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3/4 cup milk

For the stew

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chicken broth

In a large pot, combine the whole chicken, water, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 1 to 1.5 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Remove chicken, let it cool, then shred the meat.

Step 2: Strain the broth

Strain the broth using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, discarding the vegetables and bay leaves. Return the broth to the pot.

Step 3: Prepare the dumplings

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in melted butter and milk until a dough forms. Do not overmix.

Step 4: Cook the stew

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened. Stir in flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the strained broth and bring to a simmer.

Step 5: Add chicken to the stew

Add the shredded chicken and peas to the stew. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper. Let the stew come to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Drop dumplings into the stew

Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering stew. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 15-20 minutes until they are cooked through and fluffy.

Step 7: Finish and serve

Taste and adjust the seasoning of the stew if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving hot.