Mom's Chicken and Dumplings
There's just something about a warm bowl of chicken and dumplings that brings back childhood memories and makes you feel all cozy inside. This classic comfort food has been a staple in my family's households for generations, and with good reason. The combination of tender chicken, savory broth, and fluffy dumplings is pure magic in a bowl. And when it's made with love, just like my mom makes it, it's even better. So, put on your apron, tie up your hair, and get ready to cook a comforting and delicious pot of my mom's chicken and dumplings.
So, right before the Thanksgiving holiday, I became ill with a flu bug that I still haven't gotten rid of, and today my mom came to my rescue! She made me a pot of her delicious chicken and dumplings, and I kid you not, her chicken and dumplings are simply pure magic!
Ingredients:
1 to 2 pounds of chicken, cooked, taken off the bone, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Poultry seasoning, to taste
Parsley, to taste
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 to 2 carrots, chopped
1 to 2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 onion, diced
Ingredients for the dumplings:
1 1/2 cups of flour
3 tablespoons of shortening
3/4 cup milk, and extra flour for rolling the dough out.
Preparing the Chicken: Cooking, Deboning, and Chopping
If you're using raw chicken, you'll want to cook it first by boiling it in a pan of hot water. The amount of water you'll need will depend on how much chicken you're adding, but you'll want to add enough water to cover the chicken to make the broth.
Cook until the chicken is done, about 25 to 50 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on how big the pieces of meat are and if you're using bone-in chicken.
Once your chicken is cooked, debone and chop it into bite-sized, manageable pieces. Then add the prepared meat back to the stock pot.
Seasoning the Chicken: Adding salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and parsley
Now that our chicken is ready to join the flavor party, it's time to add the seasoning. Sprinkle a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, a hint of poultry seasoning, and a sprinkle of parsley in the stock pot. This will infuse the meat and broth with a wonderful blend of flavors that will make your taste buds do a happy dance.
In a skillet, over medium-high heat, add 1 to 2 chopped carrots, 1 to 2 stalks of chopped celery, and 1 diced onion and sauté. Place a lid over your pan and allow the veggies to cook for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Now, add the cooked vegetables to the stock pot of chicken and broth. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes while you prepare the dough for the dumplings.
Preparing the dumplings: choosing the right dough and shaping techniques
For a classic chicken and dumplings recipe, just mix together 1 1/2 cups of self-rising flour and 3 tablespoons of shortening until the mixture is crumbly, then slowly add 3/4 cup of milk to the mixture to form a soft dough. Never overwork the dough, or else you'll end up with tough and less desirable dumplings.
When it comes to shaping the dumplings, you have a few options. Some people prefer to make drop dumplings by spooning portions of dough directly into the simmering broth. Others like to roll out the dough and cut it into small squares or circles before adding them to the pot. Whichever method you choose, make sure the dumplings are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
Cooking the dumplings:
Simmer the dumplings in the broth mixture. Gently drop them into the hot broth and let them cook for around 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are cooked through. Avoid stirring too often and too vigorously, as this can break apart the dumplings.
For the first several minutes, cook the dumplings with a lid over the pan. Then, within the last 5 or so minutes, take the lid off and finish cooking.
Adding the Cream of Chicken Soup: Enhancing the dish's richness and flavor
Cream of chicken soup is a secret weapon for adding richness and flavor to your chicken and dumplings. It's like a magic ingredient that takes this comforting dish to the next level of deliciousness.
To add the cream of chicken soup to your dish, simply pour it into the pot with the cooked chicken and dumplings. Stir gently to combine everything, and let it simmer for a few minutes. The broth will thicken slightly and create a yummy, rich sauce that coats the dumplings and chicken perfectly.
Serve and enjoy! Trust me, you'll be licking your spoon and diving into the pot for second helpings!