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Old Fashioned chicken and Dumplings

Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or stockpot
  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling Pin if making rolled dumplings
  • Ladle

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Broth

  • 1 whole chicken about 4 lbs, cut into pieces
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ cup heavy cream optional, for a creamier broth

For the Dumplings

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted

Instructions
 

Make the Broth

  1. In a large Dutch oven, add the chicken, broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf.
    raw chicken pieces submerged in a golden, simmering broth
  2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and easily falls off the bone.
  3. Remove the chicken and let it cool slightly. Shred the meat, discarding the bones and skin.
  4. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream if using.

Make the Dumplings

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
  2. Stir in buttermilk and melted butter until just combined. The dough should be soft but not too sticky.
    mixing bowl filled with all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
  3. For drop dumplings: Scoop spoonful of dough and drop them directly into the simmering broth.
  4. For rolled dumplings: Roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness, then cut into squares before adding to the broth.

Cook the Dumplings

  1. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15 minutes over low heat, without stirring. This allows them to steam and become light and fluffy.
  2. Check for doneness by cutting a dumpling in half—if it’s cooked through, you’re good to go!

Serve and Enjoy

  1. Remove the bay leaf, ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls, and enjoy this cozy, heartwarming dish.