What do I need for chicken and dumplings? This classic comfort food is a delightful blend of tender chicken, savory broth, and fluffy dumplings, perfect for a cozy meal. Whether you’re a beginner cook or an experienced chef, knowing the essential ingredients and steps to make this dish will ensure a delicious outcome every time.
Firstly, gather the following ingredients to start your chicken and dumplings:
1. Chicken: You’ll need about 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. The chicken should be fresh and not frozen.
2. Chicken broth: Use about 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth for a healthier option, or 6 cups if you prefer a heartier broth.
3. Vegetables: A mix of carrots, celery, and onions will add flavor and texture to the dish. You’ll need about 1 carrot, 1 stalk of celery, and 1 medium onion.
4. Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning are essential for flavor. You can also add garlic powder, paprika, or any other spices you enjoy.
5. Flour: All-purpose flour is the key ingredient for making the dumplings. You’ll need about 2 cups.
6. Baking powder: This will help the dumplings rise and become fluffy. Use 2 teaspoons.
7. Butter: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter to use in the dumpling dough.
8. Milk: You’ll need about 1 cup of milk to mix with the flour and butter to create the dumpling dough.
9. Optional: You can add a bay leaf, a sprig of fresh thyme, or a few peppercorns to the chicken and broth for extra flavor.
Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s move on to the cooking process. Start by preparing the chicken and vegetables. In a large pot, combine the chicken, chicken broth, vegetables, and seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
While the chicken is simmering, prepare the dumpling dough. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Cut in the melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the milk, stirring until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be slightly sticky.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Take a spoonful of the dumpling dough and drop it into the simmering broth. Repeat until all the dough is used. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are fluffy and cooked through.
Finally, taste the chicken and dumplings and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chives if desired. Enjoy your homemade chicken and dumplings, a comforting meal that will warm you up on a cold day or any time you need a taste of home.
