In the heart of Louisiana, where gumbo and jambalaya reign supreme, you'll find another American classic, chicken and dumplings.
Recipe Video Here!
There's something enchanting about dishes that embrace the beauty of simplicity. Chicken and dumplings, with its humble ingredients and cozy flavors, is a true testament to this culinary magic. We're going back to the basics, celebrating the art of crafting this heartwarming dish with just a handful of ingredients. Let us embark on a comforting journey that's both soothing and soul-satisfying, let's dive into the world of chicken and dumplings made with pure simplicity.
The Ingredients:
Chicken: This is the star of the show, the ingredient that transforms a pot of simmering liquid into a savory haven. You can cook a few breasts just for this or you can use a rotisserie chicken for an even quicker, easier meal.
Onion and Garlic: These aromatic partners-in-crime are here to infuse your dish with depth and flavor. A little sweat goes a long way.
Bay Leaves: A few bay leaves lend their subtle earthy aroma, enhancing the richness of the broth.
Chicken Broth: It's the warm, comforting hug for your ingredients. Chicken broth is where the magic begins.
Flour, Butter, and Baking Soda: These three simple ingredients come together to create dumplings that are soft, fluffy, and perfect for soaking up the delicious broth.
Pepper: Don't be shy with the pepper. Lots of it. Pepper adds that gentle kick, a hint of spice, and layers of flavor.
Chicken & Dumplings
Serves 6-8 (depending on portion sizes)
Made in 30 minutes
Ingredients:
5 cups of chicken, chopped into 1" pieces
4 tablespoons butter + 3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 whole onion, diced
2 bay leaves
8 cups chicken stock
3 cups AP flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk or half and half
1 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon onion powder
Lots of fresh ground black pepper, like, a lot
Salt, to taste
Directions:
Prepare the dumplings by adding 3 cups flour, 3 tablespoons cold butter, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a food processor.
Pulse briefly and add milk. Pulse until a crumbly dough comes together. Don't worry if this dough looks a little dry, it will absorb a lot of the chicken stock!
Turn your dumpling dough out onto a floured surface and press together, or knead, just briefly so it comes together in a ball.
Roll out the dumpling dough very thin and cut into squares with a pizza cutter. We're not looking for perfection here.
Sweat the onions and garlic in 4 tablespoons butter, salt and pepper generously.
Add chopped chicken, chicken stock, garlic powder, onion powder, and bay leaves, bring to a simmer.
Slowly add the dumplings, one by one, to the simmering stock, careful not to overlay them too much so they don't stick together.
Cover and simmer, stirring only a few times to prevent the dumplings from breaking up too much.
You know it's done when the soup is getting thick and the dumplings are floating. Taste a dumpling and see if it feels soft and cooked, like way overcooked pasta basically.
Taste for seasoning, I always end up adding more black pepper. We like it REALLY peppery but that's your call.
Serve with some green onions and you're good to go!
You can freeze this soup if you don't mind the dumplings falling apart a little bit when you reheat it. I freeze it.
Each spoonful of my family's chicken and dumplings is a reminder that, sometimes, the simplest dishes are the ones that warm the heart the most. They aren't the most expensive, the most complicated, or the most time intensive.
In this world of complicated recipes and exotic ingredients, chicken and dumplings stand as a reminder that a dish crafted from the heart is the most satisfying of all. It's a comfort food that doesn't demand much, yet it gives us everything we need - warmth, flavor, and a moment of pure contentment.
I hope you savor the enchantment of chicken and dumplings made with just a handful of basic, honest ingredients. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
Let me know if you try this recipe and how it worked out for you! You can tag me in posts and stories or DM me on Instagram or TikTok @LizaHomesteads!
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