Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food dish that’s popular in the Southern United States. It typically consists of tender chunks of chicken, such as bone-in chicken thighs or breasts, simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables, and topped with fluffy dumplings. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Stew:

• 2-3 pounds of chicken (bone-in thighs or breasts)
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)

For the Dumplings:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and brown them in the pot for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
2. In the same pot, add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
3. If you want a thicker stew, sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for a minute or two to remove the raw flour taste.
4. Return the chicken to the pot and add the chicken broth, bay leaves, and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. While the stew is simmering, prepare the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the buttermilk and melted butter, and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be a bit lumpy.
6. After the chicken is cooked and tender, remove it from the pot, shred it into bite-sized pieces, and return it to the pot.
7. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering stew. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15-20 minutes until they’re puffed up and cooked through.
8. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
9. Serve hot, and enjoy your delicious homemade chicken and dumplings!

This is a basic recipe, and you can customize it with additional seasonings or vegetables to suit your preferences. Chicken and dumplings are a hearty and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a comforting meal, especially on a cold day.