Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings in Creamy Broth
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings, a cherished traditional dish that harks back to simpler times. This delightful recipe takes you on a culinary journey, showcasing tender chicken simmered to perfection in a savory broth enriched with aromatic vegetables. The dumplings, soft and fluffy, are the stars of this dish, soaking up the rich flavors of the creamy gravy. Inspired by classic recipes, this version captures the essence of a homestyle meal, making it ideal for family dinners or cozy gatherings. Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening or served for a comforting Sunday feast, this dish promises to warm your heart and fill your stomach with love and nostalgia.
N/A
Servings
250
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
2 quarts (None)
chicken broth
32 ounces (None)
broiler-fryer chickens
1 (3-4 lb) (cut into 6 pieces)
salt
1.5 teaspoons, divided (None)
onion
1 large (sliced)
celery
2 stalks (cut into chunks)
carrots
2 (cut into chunks)
garlic clove
1 (peeled and quartered)
bay leaf
1 large (None)
fresh parsley leaves
4-6 whole (None)
ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (more if desired)
lemon juice
1 tablespoon (about 1/2 of a fresh lemon)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (None)
baking powder
1 tablespoon (None)
salt
1.25 teaspoons (None)
milk
1 cup (None)
milk
2 tablespoons (None)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the cut-up chicken, 1 teaspoon of salt, sliced onion, celery, bay leaf, and parsley. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce by about a third. (Using a slow cooker works well for this step.)
2
Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot and set aside to cool. Strain the stock through a fine mesh to remove the vegetables and impurities, keeping the flavorful broth. You can return the celery and carrot pieces to the broth and discard the rest.
3
Pour 1.5 quarts (6 cups) of the broth into a separate pot, saving any excess for future use (it can be frozen). Add ground black pepper, the remaining salt, and lemon juice to this smaller pot. Heat over medium heat until warmed through.
4
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and 1.25 teaspoons of salt, stirring until well mixed. Gradually add 1 cup of milk, mixing until the batter is smooth. Let the dough rest for about 10 minutes.
5
On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick. Be aware that the dough will be wet and sticky; add extra flour as needed while rolling.
6
Use a sharp knife or pastry cutter to cut the dough into 1/2 inch squares. Gently drop each square into the simmering broth, using a wooden spoon to guide them apart as you go to avoid clumping. Allow all the squares to cook in the broth; watch as they swell and then shrink slightly as they cook.
7
Simmer the dumplings in the broth for 20-30 minutes, stirring gently and often to prevent sticking, until thickened to a rich, creamy consistency.
8
While the dumplings are cooking, shred the cooled chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and carefully return it to the pot, avoiding aggressive stirring to maintain large chunks of chicken.
9
Continue to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, checking for thickness. Once the desired consistency is reached, ladle the hot, comforting chicken and dumplings into bowls and serve immediately, enjoying the warmth and nostalgia in every bite.
Nutrition Information
4g
Fat
37g
Carbs
14g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings in Creamy Broth?
It is a comforting, traditional dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a savory broth with aromatic vegetables and soft, fluffy dumplings that soak up the rich flavors.
How long does it take to cook the chicken in the broth initially?
The chicken should be simmered uncovered for 2 hours to allow the liquid to reduce by about a third and the flavors to meld.
Can I use a slow cooker for this recipe?
Yes, using a slow cooker works well for the initial step of simmering the chicken, broth, and vegetables for the first 2 hours.
What type of chicken is recommended for this dish?
The recipe calls for one 3-4 lb broiler-fryer chicken, cut into 6 pieces.
Which vegetables are used to flavor the broth?
The broth is flavored with a large sliced onion, two stalks of celery, two carrots, one garlic clove, fresh parsley, and a bay leaf.
What should I do after the chicken has finished its initial simmer?
Remove the chicken to cool and strain the stock through a fine mesh to remove vegetables and impurities, keeping the clear flavorful broth.
Should I discard all the vegetables after straining the stock?
You can return the cooked celery and carrot pieces to the broth and discard the rest of the solids.
How much broth is needed for the final soup base?
You should use 1.5 quarts (or 6 cups) of the strained broth to prepare the final dish.
Can I save the excess chicken broth?
Yes, any excess broth beyond the required 6 cups can be saved for future use or frozen.
What seasonings are added to the final broth before adding dumplings?
Ground black pepper, additional salt, and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice are added to the broth.
What are the ingredients for the homemade dumplings?
The dumplings are made from 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1.25 teaspoons of salt, and 1 cup of milk.
How long should the dumpling dough rest?
The dough should rest for about 10 minutes after mixing to ensure the proper consistency.
How thick should I roll the dumpling dough?
The dough should be rolled out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
What if the dumpling dough is too sticky to roll?
The dough is naturally wet and sticky; you should add extra flour as needed while rolling it out.
What size should I cut the dumplings into?
Use a sharp knife or pastry cutter to cut the dough into 1/2 inch squares.
How do I prevent the dumplings from clumping together in the pot?
Gently drop each square into the simmering broth and use a wooden spoon to guide them apart.
How long do the dumplings need to simmer?
The dumplings should simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring gently and often to prevent sticking.
How do I know when the dumplings are done?
They are ready when the broth has thickened into a rich, creamy consistency and the dumplings have swelled and then slightly shrunk.
How should I prepare the cooked chicken before adding it back?
Shred the cooled chicken, discard the skin and bones, and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.
When do I add the shredded chicken back to the pot?
Return the chicken to the pot while the dumplings are simmering, typically in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.
How do I maintain large chunks of chicken in the soup?
Carefully return the meat to the pot and avoid aggressive stirring to keep the chicken pieces intact.
What is the calorie count for this chicken and dumplings recipe?
Each serving contains approximately 250 calories.
What are the nutritional facts regarding fat and protein?
Each serving provides 4g of fat and 14g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are approximately 37g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this a southern style recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a southern recipe and a hearty comfort food.
Can I add more black pepper to the recipe?
Yes, while the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon, you can add more if a more peppery flavor is desired.
What is the purpose of the lemon juice?
The lemon juice adds a subtle brightness and acidity that balances the richness of the creamy broth.
Why do I need to rest the dough for 10 minutes?
Resting allows the flour to hydrate properly, making the dough easier to handle and improving the texture of the dumplings.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 17 ingredients used in this recipe, including the aromatics and dumpling components.
How should this dish be served?
Ladle the hot chicken and dumplings into bowls and serve immediately for a comforting meal.