Dumplings Galore: Hearty Chicken And Dumpling Recipe

Chicken and dumplings is a hearty, comforting dish that can be made in several ways, with various shortcuts and ingredient substitutions. The basic recipe involves making a soup with chicken, vegetables, and a thickening agent, then adding dumplings. To make more dumplings, the recipe can be scaled up, and extra flour can be added to the dough to ensure the dumplings hold their shape when boiled. This guide will explore the different ways to make chicken and dumplings, as well as tips and tricks for adding more dumplings to the dish.

Use biscuit dough for dumplings

Using biscuit dough for dumplings is a great shortcut to make chicken and dumplings. It's a quick and easy way to make this classic comfort food without having to make dough from scratch. The dough is made with similar ingredients as homemade dumpling dough, and it cuts the prep time down to just minutes.

To use biscuit dough for dumplings, you can follow these steps:

• Purchase any variety of refrigerated biscuit dough from the grocery store. Common brands include Pillsbury and Crescent Rolls.
• Cut each biscuit into smaller pieces. You can cut them into quarters or even smaller pieces, depending on your preferred dumpling size.
• Prepare the rest of your chicken and dumplings recipe as usual.
• When you are ready to add the dumplings to the pot, gently float them on top of the soup, being careful not to submerge them.
• Simmer gently for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the biscuit dough is cooked through and tender.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, garnish, and enjoy!

Using biscuit dough for dumplings is a convenient way to enjoy chicken and dumplings without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's a simple shortcut that doesn't compromise on flavour and gives you fluffy, delicious dumplings.

Make dumplings from scratch

Making dumplings from scratch is easy and only requires a few basic ingredients. The dumplings are made with a simple dough that can be rolled out and cut into strips or dropped directly into the chicken broth as flat dumplings.

To make the dough, you'll need flour, baking powder, salt, and milk. Some recipes also call for butter, shortening, or sour cream. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, and then add the milk and any other wet ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms. You can use a fork or a pastry cutter to combine the ingredients, or simply mix them with your hands.

Once the dough is ready, dust your counter with flour and roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8" to 1/4". Use a knife, pizza cutter, or cookie scoop to cut the dough into strips or squares. The shape and size don't need to be perfect, as this is a rustic, homemade dish.

If you prefer a quicker method, you can make "drop biscuit" style dumplings. Simply scoop out small pieces of dough and drop them directly into the simmering soup. These dumplings will cook through as they steam on top of the soup.

No matter which style of dumpling you choose, be sure to follow the same cooking instructions for the rest of the chicken and dumplings recipe.

Add herbs to the dumplings

Adding herbs to the dumplings in chicken and dumplings can enhance the dish's flavour and make it more appetising. Here are some tips and suggestions for adding herbs to your dumplings:

Firstly, decide on the type of herbs you want to use. Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, rosemary, or Italian seasoning are all excellent choices that can elevate the flavour of your dumplings. You can use a single herb or a combination of herbs that complement each other. If you don't have fresh herbs, you can also use dried herbs, but use half the amount as their flavour is more concentrated.

When preparing the dumpling dough, finely chop your chosen fresh herbs and add them directly into the dough mixture. Combine the herbs with the dry ingredients, such as flour and baking powder, before incorporating the wet ingredients like butter, milk, or broth. This ensures that the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

You can also experiment with different types and combinations of herbs to find your preferred flavour profile. For a more subtle herb flavour, you can reduce the amount of herbs added, or you can omit the herbs from the dumpling dough and simply garnish the cooked dumplings with fresh herbs before serving.

Additionally, consider adding herbs to the broth or soup base of your chicken and dumplings. This can further enhance the overall flavour of the dish. Common herbs used in the broth include thyme, bay leaves, garlic powder, and onion powder. Adjust the types and amounts of herbs used to suit your taste preferences.

Finally, taste and adjust your seasoning as needed. Remember that the flavours will develop as the dish cooks, so it's important to taste the broth and dumplings together before making any final adjustments. Enjoy your herb-infused chicken and dumplings!

Use rotisserie chicken

Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food, and using rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut to get a delicious dinner on the table fast. Here's a step-by-step guide to making this hearty dish using rotisserie chicken:

Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables

Start by removing the skin from the rotisserie chicken and shredding the meat. You can use pre-shredded rotisserie chicken to save even more time. Discard the bones and any excess fat. If you're preparing the vegetables, peel and dice carrots, onions, and celery. You can also add garlic to the mix for extra flavour.

Sauté the Vegetables

In a large pot, melt some butter over medium heat. Add the diced vegetables and sauté until they soften and begin to brown. This should take around 3-10 minutes, depending on your preference.

Make the Broth

Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir to coat. Then, add chicken stock or broth and bring the mixture to a boil. You can adjust the amount of flour and broth to your preferred consistency. If you want a thicker, gravy-like base, add more flour. For a thinner, soup-like consistency, use more broth.

Prepare the Dumplings

While the broth is coming to a boil, it's time to make the dumplings. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, parsley, and thyme. You can also add herbs like fresh thyme to enhance the flavour. Then, pour milk and melted butter into the centre of the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.

Cook the Dumplings

Drop the dumplings one by one into the boiling broth and cook for about 8-20 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the type of dumpling you prefer. For flat, noodle-like dumplings, a shorter cooking time is best. For fluffy, biscuit-like dumplings, cook them for a bit longer.

Add the Chicken

Once the dumplings are cooked, stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken. Heat it through until it's warm, and your chicken and dumplings are ready to serve!

Using rotisserie chicken is a convenient way to make this classic dish faster without sacrificing flavour. With this recipe, you can have a hearty and comforting meal on the table in under an hour.

Add more dumplings to the broth

Chicken and dumplings is a hearty, comforting dish that can be made in several ways, depending on your preferences. Here are some tips to help you add more dumplings to your broth:

Prepare the Broth

Start by preparing a rich and flavourful broth as the base for your dish. You can use chicken broth or stock, or make your own by cooking a whole chicken or chicken pieces in water with vegetables, herbs, and spices. This step is important as it forms the foundation of your dish. Consider adding extra chicken broth or stock to ensure you have enough liquid to accommodate the additional dumplings.

Make the Dumplings

While your broth is simmering, prepare the dumpling dough. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and cold cubed butter. You can use a fork, a pastry cutter, or your fingers to mix the ingredients. The butter should be well incorporated but still resemble small pebbles. You can also add herbs, spices, or seasonings to your dumpling dough for extra flavour. Try dried herbs like thyme, parsley, rosemary, oregano, sage, or Italian seasoning. Additionally, consider adding an egg to the dumpling batter for a denser texture.

Roll and Cut the Dumplings

Once your dough is ready, dust your counter with a generous amount of flour to prevent sticking. Place the dumpling dough on the floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it out to a thickness of about 1/4". Add more flour as needed to avoid sticking. Use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into squares or strips. Remember, they don't need to be perfect, as this is a rustic, homemade dish.

Cook the Dumplings in the Broth

Bring your broth to a boil, then carefully add the shredded chicken and stir. Now it's time to add your dumplings. Add them one at a time to prevent them from sticking together, and stir frequently. Allow the dumplings to cook for around 15-20 minutes. The broth will start to thicken due to the extra flour, and the dumplings may sink slightly as they soak up the delicious broth. Taste test a dumpling to ensure it's cooked through and no longer doughy.

Adjust and Serve

If you're adding a significant number of extra dumplings, you may need to adjust the seasoning or add more broth to ensure a balanced dish. Once your dumplings are cooked, you can serve this comforting and hearty meal. Remember that any leftovers should be stored separately from the broth to prevent the dumplings from absorbing too much liquid and becoming mushy. Enjoy your dumpling-filled feast!

Frequently asked questions