Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that is perfect for chilly nights or when you’re craving a hearty meal. This dish consists of tender chicken and fluffy dumplings cooked in a flavorful broth. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make chicken and dumplings from scratch using biscuits as the dumplings for an extra delicious twist.
Ingredients:
– 2 pounds of chicken, cut into pieces
– 4 cups of chicken broth
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 carrots, sliced
– 2 celery stalks, chopped
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons of baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/4 cup of cold butter, cubed
– 1/2 cup of milk
Note: You may also add other vegetables such as peas or mushrooms for added flavor and texture.
To begin, heat some oil in a large pot and cook the chicken until browned. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until they are softened. Add the garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
Return the chicken to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. While the chicken is simmering, prepare the dumplings.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the milk and mix until the dough comes together.
Once the chicken is cooked, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture into the pot. Cover the pot and let the dumplings simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through. Remember not to lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking to keep them light and fluffy.
Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy night in or a family gathering, and the addition of biscuits as dumplings adds a delightful twist to a classic recipe.
Chicken and Dumplings: A Delicious Dish Cooked with Biscuits
Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food dish that is loved by many. This hearty dish features tender chicken simmered in a flavorful broth and topped with fluffy dumplings. What sets this recipe apart from others is the use of biscuits instead of traditional dumplings, adding a unique twist to the dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the chicken broth, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and return the chicken to the pot. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- While the chicken is simmering, prepare the biscuit dough. In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the milk to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough onto the simmering chicken and broth mixture.
- Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15 minutes or until they are cooked through.
- Remove the bay leaf from the pot. Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Chicken and dumplings cooked with biscuits is a comforting and delicious meal that is perfect for any occasion. The tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy biscuits make for a satisfying dish that will warm your heart and soul.
Gathering the Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings
Before you begin cooking chicken and dumplings, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
– 2 pounds of chicken (you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs)
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 carrots, diced
– 3 celery stalks, diced
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 4 cups of chicken broth
– 2 cups of water
– 1 bay leaf
– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons of baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 cup of milk
– 1/4 cup of melted butter
Gathering these ingredients before you start cooking will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking process. Happy cooking!
Preparing the Chicken for Cooking
Before you start cooking the chicken and dumplings, ensure that the chicken is properly prepared. Follow these steps to prepare the chicken:
Gather the Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Clean the Chicken:
Wash the chicken under cold running water to remove any impurities. Pat it dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Cut and Season the Chicken:
If using chicken thighs, trim off any excess fat. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. If using chicken breasts, cut them into cubes or strips.
Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper to taste. Make sure to evenly coat the chicken with the oil and seasonings.
Marinate the Chicken (optional):
If desired, you can marinate the chicken for added flavor. Place the chicken in a bowl or a zip-top bag and add your choice of marinade. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum flavor.
Now that the chicken is properly prepared, you are ready to move on to the next step of cooking the chicken and dumplings.
Making the Dough for the Dumplings
To make the dough for the dumplings, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup of milk
Here’s how to prepare the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold butter pieces to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the milk to the bowl and mix until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for a minute or two until it comes together.
- Roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter or a round glass to cut out the dumpling shapes.
- Place the dumplings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Your dumpling dough is now ready to be added to the chicken and broth mixture. Follow the recipe instructions for the cooking process.
Note: If you prefer denser dumplings, you can reduce the amount of baking powder to 1 teaspoon.
Cooking the Chicken and Dumplings
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients and prepared the chicken and vegetables, you’re ready to start cooking your chicken and dumplings.
Step 1: Sautéing the Chicken and Vegetables
In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery and sauté them until they become soft and translucent.
Step 2: Cooking the Chicken
Add the cut-up chicken pieces to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Cook the chicken until it is browned on all sides.
Step 3: Simmering the Chicken and Vegetables
Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken and vegetables simmer for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Step 4: Making the Dumplings
While the chicken and vegetables are simmering, prepare the dumpling dough. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and herbs. Gradually add in the milk and melted butter until a soft dough forms.
Step 5: Adding the Dumplings to the Pot
Once the chicken is cooked, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering pot. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15 minutes or until they are light and fluffy.
Step 6: Serving the Chicken and Dumplings
Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly. Serve the chicken and dumplings in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Serving and Enjoying Chicken and Dumplings
Once your chicken and dumplings are cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy this comforting dish. Here are a few tips to make the most out of your meal:
1. Plate Presentation
Transfer the chicken and dumplings to a large serving bowl or individual plates. You can garnish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a few cracked black pepper for an added touch of color and flavor.
2. Sides and Accompaniments
Chicken and dumplings is a complete meal in itself, but you can serve it with a few tasty sides to round out the experience. Consider pairing it with a simple green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, steamed vegetables, or a side of buttered cornbread.
A great accompaniment for chicken and dumplings is a glass of refreshing buttermilk or iced tea. The creamy and tangy flavors of buttermilk complement the richness of the dish, while iced tea provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty flavors.
3. Serve and Enjoy
Finally, gather your loved ones around the table and serve the chicken and dumplings while it’s still warm. The aroma of the dish will surely whet their appetites, and they’ll savor every spoonful of this soul-satisfying meal.
Chicken and dumplings is perfect for a cozy dinner at home, a potluck gathering, or even a special occasion. Its comforting flavors and heartwarming qualities make it a dish that will be loved by all.
So go ahead, enjoy the fruits of your labour, and bask in the deliciousness of homemade chicken and dumplings!
Q&A
Can I use frozen chicken instead of fresh chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken instead of fresh chicken. Just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.
How long does it take to cook chicken and dumplings with biscuits?
The cooking time for chicken and dumplings with biscuits is approximately 30-40 minutes.
Can I add other vegetables to the chicken and dumplings?
Yes, you can add other vegetables to the chicken and dumplings. Some popular options include potatoes, corn, and green beans.
What should I serve with chicken and dumplings?
Chicken and dumplings can be served as a complete meal on its own. However, if you want to serve it with something else, you can pair it with a side salad or some steamed vegetables.
What are chicken and dumplings?
Chicken and dumplings is a classic American comfort food dish made with chicken, vegetables, and dumplings simmered in a rich broth.