Claire Thompson
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty dish that can be seasoned in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and preferences. The type of chicken used, the choice of vegetables, and the addition of herbs and spices all play a crucial role in creating a flavorful dish. Seasonings can be added to the chicken, the dumplings, or the broth, and can range from simple salt and pepper to more complex combinations of herbs and spices.
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What You'll Learn
Mirepoix (carrots, celery, onion)
Mirepoix, a flavour base composed of carrots, celery, and onion, is used in many soups and other dishes. It provides a good foundation for further depth of flavour. To prepare a mirepoix, you need to stir the ingredients regularly to prevent browning or caramelisation. Instead, you want to soften and sweeten the vegetables.
To cook a mirepoix, heat some olive oil or butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. You can also use oil or butter as your fat of choice. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent. You can then add seasonings of your choice, such as thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Once the mirepoix is cooked, you can add the broth and bring it to a gentle boil. You can then add the chicken and poach it in the broth for about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and chop or shred it before returning it to the soup.
Mirepoix is a great base for chicken and dumplings, providing a flavourful foundation for the dish.
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Poultry seasoning
You can also use Italian seasoning as a replacement for poultry seasoning. This blend typically includes herbs such as basil, oregano, and parsley, which will add a different flavour profile to your dish.
Additionally, you can add some dried thyme or oregano leaves to your poultry seasoning to enhance the flavour. If you're looking for a little spice, a splash of red pepper sauce will do the trick.
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Bone-in, skin-on chicken
Using bone-in, skin-on chicken is a great way to add flavour to your chicken and dumplings. The skin and connective tissue will add substance and flavour to your dish. You can brown the chicken in a hot pan and then poach it to complete the cooking process. After cooking, let the meat cool, then strip the meat from the bones and skin.
You can also use bone-in chicken to make your stock. Brown the chicken in a pot, then remove the meat and set it aside. You can then use the bones to make a flavourful stock for your dish.
When seasoning your chicken, salt and pepper are the most commonly used seasonings. You can also add dried herbs such as rubbed sage, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. If you're making your dumplings from scratch, you can add dried herbs to the dumpling mix. You can also add dried celery and onion flakes to your soup.
Other seasonings you can use include poultry seasoning, hot sauce, garlic, and mustard powder. You can also add vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions, and garlic to your dish to add flavour.
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Herbs and spices (e.g. thyme, dill, paprika)
Herbs and spices are a great way to add flavour to your chicken and dumplings. When it comes to herbs, thyme is a popular choice for seasoning the chicken broth. You can also add dill to the dumplings themselves—simply whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and dill.
You can also add garlic or onion to the batter, or grate them into it. If you're looking for a more subtle onion flavour, you can use onion powder. Other herbs you can use include parsley and paprika, which can be sprinkled on top of the dish at the end.
Spices such as salt and black pepper are also commonly used to season chicken and dumplings. You can season the chicken with salt and pepper before browning it, and also add these spices to the dumplings. Poultry seasoning is another spice you can use, adding it to the broth at the beginning of the simmer time.
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Bacon grease
To use bacon grease in chicken and dumplings, start by rendering the fat. You can do this by cutting bacon into small pieces and cooking them over low heat until the fat is rendered out. Alternatively, you can use leftover bacon grease from a previous cooking session. Once the fat is rendered, you can add it to the pot or Dutch oven and let it melt.
Next, you'll want to create a roux. Add flour to the melted bacon grease and whisk, cooking until the mixture turns a deep golden colour. This should take around 2 to 4 minutes. You can then gradually add the broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
The ratio of bacon grease to flour depends on the consistency you prefer for your dumplings. A basic dumpling recipe typically calls for equal parts fat and flour, but you can adjust this to your taste. For example, you could use half a cup of bacon grease with 1 cup of flour, or you could use a combination of fats, such as half bacon grease and half butter.
When making the dumpling dough, you'll also want to consider the liquid content of your dough. Bacon grease is a solid fat, so you may need to adjust the amount of milk or water in your recipe to achieve the desired consistency.
In addition to its flavour benefits, bacon grease can also be a cost-effective and sustainable option. Many home cooks save their bacon grease to use as a natural alternative to store-bought grease or cooking spray. However, it's important to note that bacon grease is high in salt, so it should be used in moderation when feeding it to chickens or other animals.
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Frequently asked questions
You can season chicken and dumplings with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. You can also add herbs, such as dill, and spices like paprika.
You can add a mirepoix—a mix of carrots, celery, and onion—to your chicken and dumplings. Other vegetables, such as frozen peas, can also be added for extra colour and flavour.
Chicken thighs are recommended for the most flavour. However, chicken breast or tenders can also be used.
Some recipes suggest adding chicken bouillon cubes or paste, eggs, or heavy cream for a richer dish.
