Jake Harper
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty comfort food that is perfect for chilly weekends. The dish consists of a chicken stew with vegetables and a creamy broth, topped with fluffy dumplings that cook in the stew's liquid. The dumplings can be made in various ways, from fluffy drop-style dumplings to thin, noodle-like or biscuity dumplings. The chicken can be boiled directly in the broth or baked and shredded beforehand. The stew can also be enhanced with a roux, wine, or other seasonings. Overall, chicken and dumplings is a versatile and comforting dish that can be tailored to personal preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Breasts, thighs, whole chicken, rotisserie chicken |
| Dumplings | Biscuit dough, cake flour, all-purpose flour, butter, milk, baking powder, sugar, salt |
| Broth | Chicken broth, chicken stock, heavy cream, white wine, apple cider, vegetables (carrots, celery, onions, garlic), herbs (bay leaves, thyme, parsley) |
| Other ingredients | Olive oil, pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, frozen peas |
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What You'll Learn
- Chicken: Bone-in chicken pieces are recommended for flavour and juiciness
- Dumplings: Drop-style dumplings are made with a leavening agent and dropped onto the soup
- Broth: Chicken broth can be made from boiling a whole chicken in water
- Vegetables: Carrots, celery, onions, and garlic are common additions
- Seasoning: Salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves are used to season the broth
Chicken: Bone-in chicken pieces are recommended for flavour and juiciness
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty, comforting dish that can be made in a variety of ways, depending on personal preference and the desired level of convenience. While boneless chicken can be used, bone-in chicken pieces are recommended for chicken and dumplings due to the flavour and moisture they impart to the dish. Bone-in chicken breasts, thighs, or a whole chicken can be used, with the latter being an "old-school" way of preparing the dish.
The chicken can be boiled directly in the chicken broth, or it can be baked or seared in olive oil before being diced and added to the soup. Boiling the chicken in water to create a homemade broth is another option that adds flavour to the dish. This homemade broth can be enhanced with aromatics and seasonings such as carrots, celery, and onions, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and fresh herbs like parsley and thyme. A splash of white wine or apple cider can also be added to the broth to enhance its depth of flavour.
Once the chicken is cooked, it is shredded and added back to the soup. The soup is then brought to a gentle boil, and the dumplings are carefully placed on top in an even layer. It is important not to lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking, as they need to gently steam in the simmering liquid to achieve a light and fluffy texture.
The dumplings can be made from scratch or with store-bought biscuit dough. If making them from scratch, a simple dough can be made by combining flour, baking powder, salt, and milk, with the option to add melted butter for extra richness. The dough is then cut into strips or squares and added to the soup, where they will cook in the simmering liquid.
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Dumplings: Drop-style dumplings are made with a leavening agent and dropped onto the soup
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food. Drop dumplings, in particular, are a type of dumpling used in chicken and dumplings recipes. They are made with a leavening agent like baking powder and dropped directly into the hot soup, creating soft, pillowy bites with a somewhat spongey texture.
To make drop dumplings, you'll need a combination of dry ingredients, including all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add herbs like thyme and parsley flakes to enhance the flavour. Mix these ingredients together until they are well blended.
The next step is to create a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add liquid ingredients such as milk and butter. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula until a dough ball forms. If the dough seems too dry, you can adjust the consistency by adding a small amount of extra milk.
Once the dough is ready, use a medium-sized cookie scoop or two spoons to portion it out. Drop the dough directly into the simmering soup, ensuring that the soup is already boiling before adding the dumplings. Place the dumplings around the pot, not all in the same place, and gently press them down so that the soup covers just the tops. Cover the pot without lifting the lid for about 15 minutes to allow the dumplings to cook.
Drop dumplings are best served hot, and they can also be made ahead of time and frozen for later use. Chicken and dumplings is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for chilly days and evoking feelings of traditional home-style cooking.
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Broth: Chicken broth can be made from boiling a whole chicken in water
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty dish that combines tender chicken, a flavourful broth, and fluffy dumplings. While there are many ways to make this comforting meal, one essential component is the broth, which can be made from boiling a whole chicken in water.
Creating a rich and tasty broth is a fundamental step in making chicken and dumplings. While you can use store-bought chicken stock or broth, making your own from scratch adds a depth of flavour to the dish. To do this, you can boil a whole chicken in water to create a flavourful broth. This traditional method, also known as making homemade chicken broth, is a popular choice for those who want to enhance the taste of their chicken and dumplings.
By boiling a whole chicken, you can extract the essence of the meat and create a nutritious and tasty broth. The chicken bones add a ton of flavour and ensure the meat remains juicy and tender. This method allows you to customise the broth to your liking, adjusting the seasoning and ingredients to your preference. You can also choose to add vegetables or aromatics to the broth for added flavour and nutrition.
Additionally, making your own broth gives you control over the sodium content. If you have any sensitivity to sodium, you can opt for a low-sodium or no-sodium option by adjusting the amount of salt you add. This is especially beneficial for those who are conscious of their salt intake or have specific dietary restrictions.
Preparing the broth involves boiling the chicken in water for an extended period to extract all the flavours. You can also add vegetables, herbs, and spices to enhance the taste. This process not only creates a delicious base for your chicken and dumplings but also ensures that your chicken is cooked perfectly and remains moist and juicy.
In conclusion, making chicken and dumplings with a broth prepared from boiling a whole chicken in water adds a special touch to this comforting dish. The process of creating a homemade broth allows you to customise the flavour, control the sodium content, and ensure a juicy and tender texture for your chicken. So, the next time you crave chicken and dumplings, consider taking the extra step to make your own broth—your taste buds will surely thank you!
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Vegetables: Carrots, celery, onions, and garlic are common additions
Chicken and dumplings is a comforting chicken soup. The soup almost always contains chicken and vegetables, but the dumplings vary from fluffy, drop-style dumplings to thin, noodle-like or biscuity dumplings.
Some recipes suggest using a mirepoix base, which is a combination of carrots, celery, and onions. You can also add broccoli, or other green vegetables on the side, such as steamed broccoli, sautéed greens, or roasted Brussels sprouts.
Chicken and dumplings is best eaten the day it is made.
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Seasoning: Salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves are used to season the broth
Seasoning is an essential step in enhancing the flavour of chicken and dumplings. Salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves are used to season the broth, creating a well-rounded and delicious dish.
Salt is a fundamental seasoning that enhances the natural flavours of the dish. It brings out the savoury notes in the chicken broth and balances the other ingredients. Pepper, on the other hand, adds a subtle kick and warmth to the dish. Black peppercorns, freshly ground or whole, can be used to infuse their sharp, pungent flavour into the broth.
Thyme is an aromatic herb that complements the other ingredients in chicken and dumplings. It has a slightly woody and earthy flavour that adds depth to the broth. Adding a few sprigs of fresh thyme or a pinch of dried thyme leaves infuses their unique flavour into the dish.
Bay leaves are another herb that contributes to the flavour profile of the broth. They have a unique, pungent aroma and a bitter, astringent taste. Bay leaves are commonly added whole to the broth, infusing their flavour as the dish simmers. Their flavour is subtle yet distinctive, adding a layer of complexity to the dish.
The combination of these seasonings creates a well-seasoned broth that enhances the overall taste of the chicken and dumplings. The salt and pepper provide a savoury foundation, while the thyme and bay leaves add depth and complexity, resulting in a flavourful and satisfying dish.
Additionally, other ingredients such as onions, carrots, celery, and garlic can be added to the broth to create a mirepoix base, further enhancing the flavour and providing a hearty vegetable element to the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken, chicken broth, vegetables (such as onions, carrots, and celery), flour, butter, milk, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and thyme.
There are three main types of dumplings used in chicken and dumplings recipes: drop-style dumplings, rolled dumplings, and biscuit-style dumplings. Drop-style dumplings are made with a leavening agent like baking powder and are soft and pillowy. Rolled dumplings are made with lard or shortening. Biscuit-style dumplings are made with biscuit dough and have a firmer texture.
Start by sautéing your vegetables and seasoning your chicken with salt and pepper. Then, sear the chicken in olive oil and set it aside to rest before dicing it. Next, make a roux by melting butter in the same pot and using a spatula to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add your vegetables and seasonings to the pot and stir to combine. Finally, add your chicken broth and milk, followed by your dumplings, and simmer until cooked through.
