Chicken and Dumplings: 5 Ways to Make This Comfort Food Classic

Introduction

Chicken and dumplings is a comfort food classic that everybody loves. This hearty dish is perfect for chilly days and can satisfy any craving for something warm and filling. Chicken and dumplings has been a staple in many households for generations. In this article, we’ll explore various ways to make this delicious and comforting dish, so you can find the recipe that works best for you.

Grandma’s Secret Recipe Revealed: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfectly Fluffy Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings have roots in Southern cuisine. This dish was created as a way to use up leftover chicken and vegetables. Nowadays, it has become a traditional comfort food that has been passed down from generations. Here’s a classic recipe for chicken and dumplings that your grandma would approve of.

Ingredients:

2 pounds of chicken (bone-in, skin-on)

4 cups of chicken broth

1 onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 cups of all-purpose flour (divided)

1 tsp of salt

2 tsp of baking powder

1/2 tsp of dried thyme

1/4 tsp of black pepper

1/4 cup of butter, cubed

3/4 cup of milk

1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, place the chicken, broth, onion, celery, and carrots, and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked.
3. Take out the chicken and let it cool, and shred the meat.
4. In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of flour, salt, and baking powder.
5. Add butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to mix the ingredients until crumbly.
6. Mix the shredded chicken and milk to the dry mixture, and stir to combine.
7. In another bowl, whisk the remaining flour, thyme, and black pepper.
8. Add egg and stir until combined.
9. Drop the dumplings by spoonfuls on top of the chicken and broth mixture.
10. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.
11. Serve hot.

One common mistake in making chicken and dumplings is overworking the dough. To avoid this, be sure to mix the dough just until it comes together and then drop it into the broth. Another tip is to add herbs or spices to the dumplings or broth to add more flavor.

10 Creative Variations on Chicken and Dumplings to Try This Winter

Chicken and dumplings can be customized in many ways to suit different tastes and preferences. Here are ten creative variations on this classic recipe that you should give a try this winter.

1. Buffalo Chicken and Dumplings: Add hot sauce to the chicken before cooking and use blue cheese instead of butter in the dumplings.
2. Mushroom and Wine Chicken and Dumplings: Use white wine and sauteed mushrooms in the broth, and add parmesan cheese to the dumpling dough.
3. Curried Chicken and Dumplings: Add curry powder to the chicken and use coconut milk in the broth. Use curry powder in the dumpling dough.
4. Corn and Green Chile Chicken and Dumplings: Add canned corn and green chiles to the chicken and broth. Add shredded cheddar cheese to the dumpling dough.
5. Lemon and Thyme Chicken and Dumplings: Add lemon juice and fresh thyme to the chicken and broth. Substitute lemon zest for the black pepper in the dumpling dough.
6. Italian Chicken and Dumplings: Add garlic, oregano, and basil to the chicken and broth. Substitute parmesan cheese for the butter in the dumpling dough.
7. Tex-Mex Chicken and Dumplings: Add taco seasoning and canned tomatoes with green chiles to the chicken and broth. Add shredded cheddar cheese and cilantro to the dumpling dough.
8. Spinach and Artichoke Chicken and Dumplings: Add spinach and canned artichoke hearts to the chicken and broth. Substitute cream cheese for the butter in the dumpling dough.
9. Maple Bacon Chicken and Dumplings: Add cooked bacon and maple syrup to the chicken and broth. Add chopped bacon to the dumpling dough.
10. Thai Peanut Chicken and Dumplings: Add peanut butter and soy sauce to the chicken and broth. Add chopped peanuts to the dumpling dough.

From Scratch: How to Make Chicken and Dumplings with Only Homemade Ingredients

Homemade chicken and dumplings take some time to make, but the effort is worth it. The flavor is richer and more complex than the store-bought version. Here’s a step-by-step guide for making everything from scratch.

Homemade Chicken Broth

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs)

3-4 garlic cloves, whole and unpeeled

1 onion, quartered

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1 bay leaf

10 peppercorns

12 cups of water

1 tbsp of salt

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken in a large pot and cover it with water.
2. Add garlic, onion, celery, carrots, bay leaf, and peppercorns.
3. Simmer for 2-3 hours, skimming the foam and fat periodically.
4. Take out the chicken and let it cool, and shred the meat from the bones. Discard the skin and bones.
5. Strain the broth into a clean pot and discard the solids.
6. Add salt to the broth and let it simmer for 30 minutes to an hour to intensify the flavor.
7. Use the broth and shredded chicken for the chicken and dumplings recipe.

Dumpling Dough

Ingredients:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1 tbsp of baking powder

1/4 tsp of salt

1/3 cup of unsalted butter, cold and cubed

2/3 cup of milk

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to mix the ingredients until crumbly.
3. Mix the milk to the dry mixture and stir just until combined.
4. Set aside until ready to drop into the chicken and broth mixture.

Filling

Ingredients:

2 cups of shredded chicken

2 carrots, peeled and diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp of salt

1/4 tsp of black pepper

2 tbsp of olive oil

1/4 cup of all-purpose flour

1/4 cup of white wine

4 cups of homemade chicken broth

1/2 cup of cream

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and saute for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add the shredded chicken, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
3. Add flour and stir, coating the vegetables and chicken.
4. Add white wine and stir until the mixture thickens.
5. Add chicken broth and stir until the mixture thickens again.
6. Add cream and stir until the mixture comes to a boil.
7. Turn off the heat but keep the mixture warm until ready to add the dumpling dough.

Roll the dumpling dough into balls and drop into the filling and broth mixture. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through. Serve hot.

One tip for making everything from scratch is to make a big batch of chicken broth and freeze it in portions for later use. Making the chicken, dumpling dough, and filling ahead of time on different days and storing them in the fridge can save time when you’re ready to make chicken and dumplings. This way, you can have homemade chicken and dumplings in no time, without sacrificing flavor.

One-Pot Wonders: How to Make Chicken and Dumplings in Your Slow Cooker

If you don’t have time to stand over a stove all day, using a slow cooker or Instant Pot can be a real time-saver. Here’s a recipe that requires minimal prep and hardly any dishes to clean.

Ingredients:

2 pounds of chicken (bone-in, skin-on)

4 cups of chicken broth

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 tsp of salt

1/2 tsp of dried thyme

1/4 tsp of black pepper

2 cups of all-purpose flour

2 tsp of baking powder

1/4 cup of butter, cubed

3/4 cup of milk

Instructions:

1. In a slow cooker, place the chicken, broth, celery, carrots, onion, salt, thyme, and black pepper.
2. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let it cool, and shred the meat.
4. In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of flour, salt, and baking powder.
5. Add butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to mix the ingredients until crumbly.
6. Mix the shredded chicken, vegetables, and liquid from the slow cooker to the dry mixture, and stir to combine.
7. In another bowl, whisk the remaining flour and milk.
8. Add to the chicken and dumpling mixture and stir until just combined.
9. Cook uncovered for a further 30-40 minutes until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.
10. Serve hot.

One tip to make this recipe even easier is to use store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time in the kitchen. You can also use an Instant Pot to cook everything even faster.

Healing Chicken and Dumplings: How This Comfort Food Can Help You Feel Better Inside and Out

Food can be a powerful tool in boosting our physical and mental health. By using nourishing ingredients, we can create a comforting and healing meal that not only tastes great but also helps our body to function better. Here’s how chicken and dumplings can be a healing dish.

The chicken is a great source of protein that’s essential for muscle repair and growth. It’s also rich in nutrients like niacin, which promotes healthy skin and digestion, and vitamin B6, which regulates mood and sleep. Using bone broth instead of regular broth can further enhance the benefits by providing collagen and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are crucial for bone health and immunity.

Adding vegetables to the dish can boost the fiber and vitamin content. Carrots, celery, and onions are all rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote healthy aging. Herbs like thyme and spices like black pepper can also provide additional benefits. For example, thyme has been traditionally used for respiratory and digestive issues, while black pepper has been shown to enhance the absorption of nutrients.

Using whole-grain flour instead of white flour can also increase the fiber and nutrient content of the dumpling dough. Whole-grain flour provides more micronutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, and can help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

Chicken and dumplings is one of the most comforting and delicious dishes you can make. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try out one of the many variations, there’s no doubt that this dish will warm your heart and soul. Making everything from scratch or using a slow cooker can save time and effort, while adding nutrient-dense ingredients can make the dish even more healing. Try out different recipes until you find the one that suits you best, and enjoy the heartwarming goodness of chicken and dumplings.