Jake Harper
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food in the Southern US, and recipes for it vary. The dish is made by placing dumplings on top of a chicken soup or stew. While some recipes call for cream of chicken to be added to the broth, others suggest alternatives such as evaporated milk, whole milk, or half-and-half. The dumplings are made from a combination of flour, baking powder, and salt, with milk, sour cream, and butter added to form a dough. The dough is then dropped in small pieces into the chicken soup and cooked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dish | Chicken and dumplings |
| Dish type | Comfort food, soup |
| Dish origin | Southern US |
| Main ingredients | Chicken, dumplings, vegetables, broth |
| Dumpling type | Fluffy, biscuit-like, noodle |
| Broth type | Creamy |
| Broth ingredients | Cream of chicken, heavy cream, milk, half-and-half, butter, flour, seasonings |
| Chicken type | Raw, rotisserie, cooked, leftover |
| Additional ingredients/toppings | Peas, thyme, bay leaves, cornstarch, biscuits |
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What You'll Learn
Cream of chicken soup as a base
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food in the Southern US, and while there are many ways to make it, most recipes include chicken, dumplings, and a creamy broth. One way to make the broth creamier is to use cream of chicken soup as a base.
Using cream of chicken soup as a base for your chicken and dumplings recipe is a great way to save time without sacrificing flavour. It can be used as a substitute for chicken broth or combined with it for an even richer flavour. You can also add milk, half-and-half, or cream to make the broth even creamier.
To make chicken and dumplings with cream of chicken soup as a base, start by sauteing a mixture of onion, carrots, and celery to build the base of the soup flavour. You can also add garlic to this mixture. Then, simply stir in your condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and shredded chicken, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Next, you'll want to add your dumplings. You can make these from scratch or use a semi-homemade version with refrigerated biscuits. If making from scratch, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and sugar in a medium bowl. Then, add milk, sour cream, and melted butter, and use a folding motion to combine and form a dough. Be careful not to overmix, or your dumplings will be dense. If using refrigerated biscuits, simply flatten and cut them into smaller pieces before adding to the soup.
Once your dumplings are ready, carefully place them into your simmering soup in an even layer. Spoon a little liquid over each dumpling, cover, and bring to a gentle simmer. Your chicken and dumplings are now ready to be enjoyed!
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Using biscuits for dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food in the Southern US, and there are many ways to make it. Some recipes call for raw chicken breasts, while others suggest using a store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time. The creamy broth can be made from scratch, or you can use condensed cream of chicken soup as a shortcut.
Now, let's talk about using biscuits for dumplings. This is a great shortcut to avoid making dumpling dough from scratch. You can use any variety of refrigerated biscuit dough purchased from the grocery store. Some popular brands include Pillsbury and Mama Gourmand, which offers gluten-free biscuits. For a simple recipe, cut each biscuit into four to eight equal pieces, depending on how small you want the dumplings to be. You can also flatten the biscuits before cutting them into pieces to help them cook more evenly.
Once you've prepared your chicken and broth, stir in the biscuit pieces and simmer until they are no longer doughy, about 10 to 15 minutes. To make the dish even creamier, drizzle up to one cup of heavy cream over the top of the soup a few minutes before serving.
- Don't overmix the dough when preparing the biscuits, and make sure the soup is gently simmering when you add the biscuit pieces.
- The steam from the simmering soup will help the dumplings puff up, so avoid lifting the lid while they cook.
- Dense or sinking dumplings may be caused by expired baking powder or improperly measured flour, so be sure to measure carefully.
- For the best results, prepare the biscuit dough just before cooking, as the baking powder activates as soon as liquid is added.
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Using milk to make the broth creamier
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food in the Southern US, and there are many ways to make it. The recipe typically includes a creamy broth, chicken, and dumplings.
Some recipes call for the use of condensed cream of chicken soup, which is stirred together with chicken broth and shredded chicken. However, if you're making the broth from scratch, you can add milk to make it creamier.
Evaporated milk is a popular choice for adding creaminess to the broth without curdling or overpowering the flavour, as heavy cream sometimes can. Whole milk or half-and-half can also be used for a lighter meal. If you don't have access to evaporated milk, whole milk, or half-and-half, you can also use regular milk, as it will still add creaminess to the broth.
When adding milk to the broth, it's important to add it slowly while stirring constantly to ensure that it combines well with the other ingredients. You can also add a splash of milk if your soup becomes too thick, to thin it out.
Additionally, milk is also used in the dumpling batter. Whole milk is preferred, but 2% milk will also work. It's important to use milk with a higher fat content to ensure that the dumplings stay soft and moist.
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Using leftover chicken
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food in the Southern US, and it can be made with leftover chicken. Using leftover chicken is a great way to save time and reduce food waste. Here are some tips and instructions for using leftover chicken in your chicken and dumplings:
Choosing the Right Leftover Chicken
Leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken can be used for chicken and dumplings. You can also use leftover turkey if you prefer. It is recommended to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast meat. Thighs are a good option as they have more fat and are less likely to dry out or overcook. If using leftover chicken, make sure it is thoroughly thawed before adding it to your soup.
When to Add Leftover Chicken
Add the leftover chicken to your soup just before adding the dumplings. This ensures that the chicken is heated through without overcooking it. If using raw chicken, it should be added to the soup earlier, before the dumplings, and gently simmered for about 15 minutes to cook through.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Chicken and dumplings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days. It is recommended to store the dumplings and soup separately to prevent the dumplings from absorbing too much broth. To store, allow the leftovers to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate.
To reheat, you can use a stovetop or microwave. Warm the soup gently, and if using the stovetop method, add the dumplings during the last few minutes so they heat through without overcooking. You may need to add a little milk or cream to adjust the consistency when reheating.
Chicken and dumplings can also be frozen for up to 3 to 4 months. To freeze, place a layer of plastic wrap over the dish before putting the lid on to prevent freezer burn. Thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the fridge before rewarming on the stovetop over low heat.
Customizing Your Recipe
When using leftover chicken, you can customize your chicken and dumplings recipe by adding various vegetables, such as onions, carrots, celery, or peas. You can also experiment with different types of dumplings, using homemade dough or store-bought biscuit dough. Additionally, you can enhance the flavour of your soup by adding flavour enhancers like Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder.
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Making the dumplings from scratch
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food in the Southern US. While there are many ways to make it, here is a recipe for making the dumplings from scratch.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and place 2-3 chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of oil on the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Bake the chicken for about 45 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks. You can also use a stand mixer to shred the chicken.
Next, pour 2 quarts of chicken broth into a large pot and start warming it up on the stovetop. While the broth is warming, make the dumplings. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and sugar. Then, add in cold cubed butter and use a fork, pastry cutter, or your fingers to mix it into the flour mixture. Be sure not to overmix, or the dumplings will become dense. Now, pour in milk, sour cream, and melted butter. You can use whole milk, 2% milk, or evaporated milk. Do not use fat-free or skim milk, as the dumplings need the fat to stay soft and moist. Use a folding motion to combine and form a dough.
Dust your counter with a generous amount of flour and place your dumpling dough on top. Dust the dough with more flour and use a rolling pin to roll it out to about 1/4" thickness. Be sure to add flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking. Using a knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into squares.
Once the chicken broth is warmed, add the shredded chicken to the pot. You can also add some frozen peas at this stage. Bring the broth to a gentle boil and let it simmer, uncovered. Carefully place the dumplings into the broth in an even layer. Spoon a little liquid over each dumpling, cover the pot, and increase the heat slightly to bring it to a gentle simmer.
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty and creamy dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. This recipe yields fluffy and airy dumplings that are sure to impress. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can put cream of chicken in chicken and dumplings. Some recipes call for cream of chicken soup, which is combined with chicken broth and shredded chicken. You can also add heavy cream to the chicken and dumplings for a creamier texture.
For the chicken and dumplings, you will need chicken broth, shredded chicken, biscuits or dumplings, and vegetables such as onions, celery, and carrots. You can also add seasonings such as thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
To make the dumplings, combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Make a well in the center and add milk, sour cream, and melted butter. Stir until combined but do not overmix. Drop teaspoon-sized amounts of dough into the simmering soup and cover the pot. Simmer on low for 12-15 minutes, then gently stir to break apart the dumplings.
