Chicken and Dumplings

I love classic chicken and dumplings.  Tonight we ate this with turnip greens and biscuits for a Cracker Barrel copycat meal at home.  I have to say, it was pretty darn close to the real deal!  I love this recipe because it is from scratch but still quick and easy.

Ingredients:  cooked chicken, chicken stock, flour, baking powder, salt, butter and milk.

You can make this as easy or complicated as you want.  The most complicated way (which is still really easy) is to make the chicken stock yourself.  Basically, just simmer the chicken (any part) in salt water for about an hour. You can add any other leftover vegetables and herbs you have around such as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, rosemary and parsley.  If you don't have extra veggies or herbs, just chicken and salt is enough.  You can remove the meat from the cooked chicken and reserve the stock for the recipe.  Or you can always cheat and use store bought broth and chicken.  Or you can roast the chicken.  The possibilities are endless!

I prefer to make my own stock.

To make the dumplings, mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and cut the butter (dice it first) into the mixture using a pastry blender or fork.

Pour in the milk, mixing with a fork until the dough comes together in a ball.  It should be pretty sticky.

Roll it out on a well floured surface with a floured rolling pin.  Use a pastry or pizza cutter to cut the dough into roughly 2X2" squares.

Bring the chicken stock to a boil and add the dumplings one at a time, swirling after each addition.  Reduce to a simmer and let them cook for about 15 minutes.

If the broth needs thickening when the dumplings are done cooking, remove some of the broth with a coffee cup and mix in some flour.  Then pour the concentrated thickened broth back into the pot.  Add the cooked chicken and heat through.  Season with salt and pepper.

Easy right?  Super delicious!  Just like Cracker Barrel.

Link to the printable recipe:

Chicken and Dumplings

Source:  Tasty Kitchen