Chicken and dumplings are the ultimate comfort food, bringing warmth and nostalgia with every bite. This old-fashioned recipe is a timeless favorite, perfect for cozy family dinners or chilly evenings when you crave a hearty, classic meal. With tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings, this dish is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Let’s dive into making a batch of delicious Chicken and Dumplings!
**Chicken and Dumplings Old Fashioned Recipe**
**Ingredients:**
– 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
– 6 cups chicken broth
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter
– 1 cup whole milk
– 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
– 2 celery stalks, chopped
– 1 small onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Cook the Chicken:** In a large pot, add the chicken pieces and cover them with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot, let it cool, then shred the meat and discard the bones. Reserve the broth for later use.
2. **Prepare the Dumplings:** In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until a soft dough forms.
3. **Make the Broth:** In the same pot used for cooking the chicken, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot. Season with dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. **Add the Dumplings:** Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering broth. Cover and let it cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. The dumplings will puff up and cook through in the steam.
5. **Serve:** Once the dumplings are cooked, ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this classic dish.
This Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a labor of love that delivers on both taste and satisfaction. The tender chicken, savory broth, and fluffy dumplings come together in a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. It’s a meal that warms the soul and brings people together around the dining table. So, the next time you’re craving a taste of nostalgia, whip up a batch of this old-fashioned Chicken and Dumplings and savor every comforting spoonful.
