Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings
Experience the heartwarming essence of Southern cooking with this delightful Chicken and Dumplings recipe. Crafted with love, this dish features tender, succulent chicken simmered in a rich, savory broth, complemented by hearty, homemade dumplings. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners, this dish offers a satisfying balance of flavors and textures that will transport you to the warm kitchens of the South. With generous portions of dumplings, you won’t have to hold back—everyone will want seconds! So, gather your loved ones, and enjoy this delicious, old-fashioned classic that brings comfort to the table and warms the soul.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole chicken
3-4 lbs (cleaned and rinsed)
water
1 gallon (for cooking chicken)
poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon (for broth)
garlic powder
1 teaspoon (for broth)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for broth)
red pepper
1/8 teaspoon (optional, for broth)
celery ribs
2 (chopped)
green onions
4 (sliced thin)
medium onion
1/2 (chopped, optional)
carrot
1 (shredded)
chicken bouillon cubes
6 (for flavor)
flour
6 cups (all-purpose, for dumplings)
baking powder
2 teaspoons (for dumplings)
poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon (for dumplings)
salt
1 teaspoon (for dumplings)
margarine or butter flavor shortening
1 cup (softened)
eggs
2 (beaten)
chicken stock
2 cups (cooled to barely warm)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings?
Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings is a classic Southern dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich savory broth with hearty, homemade dumplings.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
A whole chicken weighing between 3 to 4 pounds is recommended for the best flavor and texture.
How much water is required to cook the chicken?
You will need approximately 1 gallon of water to properly cook the chicken and create the base for your broth.
What seasonings are used in the broth?
The broth is seasoned with poultry seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and optional red pepper for a little heat.
Are there any vegetables in the broth?
Yes, the recipe calls for chopped celery ribs, sliced green onions, shredded carrot, and an optional half of a medium onion.
How many chicken bouillon cubes should I use?
Use 6 chicken bouillon cubes to enhance the flavor of the savory broth.
What type of flour is needed for the homemade dumplings?
The dumplings require 6 cups of all-purpose flour.
Is baking powder used in the dumplings?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of baking powder are added to the dumpling mixture to help them achieve the right consistency.
What fat is used to make the dumplings?
You can use 1 cup of either softened margarine or butter-flavored shortening.
How many eggs are needed for the dumpling dough?
The recipe requires 2 beaten eggs for the dumpling mixture.
What liquid is added to the dumpling flour mixture?
You should use 2 cups of chicken stock that has been cooled to a barely warm temperature.
Are the dumplings seasoned?
Yes, the dumplings are seasoned with poultry seasoning and salt for added flavor.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is considered a hearty one-dish meal that is perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The whole chicken should be cleaned and rinsed before being placed in the pot.
Can I make the broth spicy?
Yes, you can add 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper to the broth to provide a subtle kick.
How should the green onions be prepared?
The 4 green onions should be sliced thin before being added to the recipe.
Should the carrot be chopped or shredded?
The recipe specifies using 1 shredded carrot.
How much poultry seasoning is needed in total?
You will need a total of 2 teaspoons: 1 for the broth and 1 for the dumplings.
Does the recipe require salt in the broth?
While the dumplings contain salt, the broth relies primarily on bouillon cubes and poultry seasoning for its salt profile.
Can I use butter instead of shortening for the dumplings?
The recipe specifically calls for margarine or butter-flavored shortening to achieve the traditional Southern texture.
Is the medium onion a required ingredient?
No, the 1/2 medium onion is listed as an optional ingredient for the broth.
How many dumplings does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed with generous portions so that everyone can have seconds.
What is the key to the dumplings' texture?
Using barely warm chicken stock and softened shortening helps create the classic hearty dumpling texture.
Is this a traditional recipe?
Yes, it is described as an old-fashioned classic that brings comfort to the table.
How many celery ribs are needed?
You will need 2 chopped celery ribs for the savory broth.
What type of seasoning gives it the Southern flavor?
The combination of poultry seasoning, garlic, and slow-simmered chicken provides that authentic heart-warming Southern essence.
Can this recipe be served at family gatherings?
Absolutely, it is specifically noted as being perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
How much garlic powder is used in the broth?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to be added to the broth.
How much black pepper is included?
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper is used to season the broth.
Is the chicken stock used for the dumplings separate from the boiling water?
The recipe lists 1 gallon of water for the chicken and a separate 2 cups of chicken stock specifically for the dumplings.