Claire Thompson
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food in the Southern United States. It is a savoury chicken soup with vegetables in a creamy broth. The soup is topped with uncooked dumplings that are steamed on top. The vegetables added to the dish can include carrots, onions, celery, peas, potatoes, and leeks. Some recipes also include herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley. The dumplings are made from a biscuit-like dough that is dropped into the soup and cooked through.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetables | Carrots, onions, celery, peas, potatoes, leeks, shallots, garlic, mushrooms, peppers |
| Herbs | Fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, basil, oregano, dill |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder |
| Broth | Chicken broth, chicken bouillon cubes, chicken stock |
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What You'll Learn
Carrots, peas, and celery
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty dish that is perfect for cold nights. The vegetables you choose to include can vary depending on your taste preferences and what is seasonally available.
To prepare the dish, start by sautéing diced onions, celery, and carrots in a large pot with a little oil until they soften. This combination of vegetables is known as a mirepoix, which forms the foundation of many French stews. You can also add some garlic to the mix and sauté for a minute or so.
Next, add your chicken, bouillon cubes, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. You can also add some wine or lemon juice at this point for a tangy note. At this stage, you can also add other vegetables of your choice, such as frozen peas.
Finally, add your dumplings. You can make these from scratch by combining flour, baking powder, salt, and milk to form a soft dough. Drop pieces of the dough into your simmering soup and cook until the dumplings are cooked through, which should take around 10-20 minutes.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings and ingredients to suit your taste. You can also garnish your chicken and dumplings with freshly chopped parsley or chives, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
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Onions, leeks, and potatoes
Ingredients
For the chicken and vegetables, you'll need:
- Chicken thighs and/or legs (bone-in, skin-on)
- Onions
- Leeks
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Parsley stems
- Bay leaf
- Butter or oil
- Salt and pepper
For the dumplings, gather:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt and pepper
- Butter
- Egg
- Milk or buttermilk
Instructions
- Heat butter or oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear it skin-side down until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it cool. Shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones.
- In the same pot, sauté the onions, leeks, potatoes, carrots, celery, and garlic with thyme, parsley stems, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot and add water or chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is tender, about 30-40 minutes.
- To make the dumplings, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk or buttermilk and egg, then add this to the dry ingredients along with melted butter. Stir until just combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the pot, spacing them apart. Cover and cook over low heat until the dumplings are puffed and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve the chicken and dumplings garnished with fresh parsley and pepper, if desired.
Feel free to add other vegetables of your choice, such as peas, or adjust the seasonings to your taste. Enjoy your comforting bowl of chicken and dumplings!
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Fresh herbs, such as rosemary and thyme
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty dish that is perfect for cold nights. The recipe typically includes a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, celery, onions, and peas, but the star ingredients are fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Fresh rosemary and thyme add a depth of flavour to the dish. When using these herbs, it is important to add them at the right time to maximise their impact. For example, if you are using dried rosemary and thyme, add them along with other dried herbs and spices. However, if you are using fresh herbs, it is best to add them after you have added the milk mixture to the broth. This ensures that the herbs retain their flavour and aroma.
The process of making chicken and dumplings begins with preparing the chicken and vegetables. The chicken is typically browned in a skillet, and then the vegetables are added and sautéed. Fresh rosemary and thyme can be added at this stage to infuse their flavours into the base of the dish. The herbs pair well with the other ingredients, enhancing the savoury notes of the chicken and the sweetness of the carrots and onions.
After adding the herbs, the next step is to create the gravy. This is done by adding butter and flour to the skillet, forming a paste that coats the vegetables and herbs. The milk is then added, and the mixture is allowed to simmer, creating a rich and creamy gravy. The fresh rosemary and thyme contribute to the complexity of the gravy, adding subtle earthy and woody notes.
Once the gravy is prepared, the dish is assembled. The chicken is added back to the gravy, along with the dumplings, which are typically made from a simple dough of flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and milk. The dumplings are cooked in the gravy, absorbing the flavours of the fresh herbs. The result is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a cosy night in.
Chicken and dumplings is a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste preferences. While the fresh rosemary and thyme provide a delicious flavour profile, you can also experiment with other fresh herbs, such as parsley or sage, to create your own unique twist on this classic comfort food.
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Mushrooms and spinach
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty, comforting dish that is perfect for cold nights. While the classic recipe does not traditionally include mushrooms, they are a fantastic addition to the dish, adding a savoury umami flavour. White button mushrooms are the most affordable option, but you can also use cremini or shiitake mushrooms for a more exotic flavour. To prepare the mushrooms, cook them in butter over medium heat for around 4 minutes, or until they start to soften.
Spinach is another vegetable that can be added to chicken and dumplings. A simple recipe for garlic chicken spinach dumplings includes ground chicken, finely minced garlic, parboiled spinach, and chopped scallions, mixed together and seasoned with toasted sesame oil and soy sauce. These dumplings can be served warm with soy sauce and cut chilli peppers or chilli oil.
Chicken and dumplings with mushrooms and spinach can be made in one pot, making it a convenient option for a cosy night in. To make the dumplings, whisk together flour, baking powder, parsley, lemon zest, and salt. While stirring, gradually add cream until it is fully incorporated into the mixture.
To prepare the chicken, cook the chicken thighs in butter in a large Dutch oven until browned, then transfer to a plate. Add the mushrooms and cook until they start to soften, then add the garlic, carrots, celery, and onion. Once the vegetables are softened, add flour and cook for 30 seconds before stirring in wine. Finally, add the bay leaf, stock, thyme, salt, pepper, and chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer while you make the dumplings.
This chicken and dumplings recipe is a delicious, comforting meal that can be enjoyed on cold nights or when you're feeling under the weather. With the addition of mushrooms and spinach, it offers a well-rounded and flavourful dining experience.
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Water chestnuts and peppers
Chicken and dumplings is a hearty and comforting dish that can be customised with various vegetables. While traditional recipes often include carrots, onions, celery, and peas, water chestnuts and peppers can also be delicious additions.
Water chestnuts are a versatile vegetable that can add a crisp and refreshing element to the dish. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a crunchy texture, making them a unique and tasty ingredient in chicken and dumplings. When adding water chestnuts, it is important to note that they are typically found canned and should be drained and rinsed before use.
Peppers, on the other hand, bring a burst of colour and flavour to the dish. Bell peppers, in particular, are a great option as they have a sweet and mild flavour that pairs well with the other ingredients. They can be added early in the cooking process to allow them to soften and develop a deeper flavour.
When incorporating water chestnuts and peppers into chicken and dumplings, consider the following steps:
- Prepare the chicken: Start by browning the chicken thighs in a skillet with olive oil. Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a bowl and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté diced onions, minced garlic, and peppers over medium heat until softened. Then, add the water chestnuts, along with diced carrots and celery, and continue to cook for a few minutes.
- Make the gravy: Add butter and flour to the skillet, stirring until a paste forms. Cook this mixture for a couple of minutes, then add herbs and spices, such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper. Whisk in chicken broth and milk, bringing the mixture to a simmer until it thickens into a gravy.
- Combine and simmer: Return the chicken to the skillet, stirring it into the gravy. Cover and let the chicken simmer in the gravy while preparing the dumplings.
- Prepare the dumplings: In a bowl, combine dry ingredients, including flour, parsley, sugar, salt, baking powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Pour in milk and melted butter, stirring until a soft dumpling batter forms.
- Add dumplings to the skillet: Remove the lid from the skillet and drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter onto the surface of the gravy. Cover and allow the dumplings to simmer for about 15 minutes until they have doubled in size and are cooked through.
By following these steps and including water chestnuts and peppers, you can create a unique and flavourful variation of chicken and dumplings. The combination of crisp water chestnuts and sweet peppers will add a refreshing twist to this comforting dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Carrots, celery, onions, leeks, peas, potatoes, and garlic are all popular choices to add to chicken and dumplings. Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, and dill can also be added.
If you are using fresh vegetables, it is recommended to sauté them in butter or oil before adding them to the chicken. You can then add the chicken and dumplings and cook until done. If you are using frozen vegetables, it is best to add them towards the end of the cooking process so they do not overcook.
Chicken and dumplings is typically made by first creating a savory chicken soup or stew with vegetables in a creamy broth. The soup is then topped with uncooked dumplings that are steamed on top. It is important not to lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking to ensure they are properly steamed.
