Southern Chicken and Dumplings
One. Of. My. Faves. Period. The process is pretty simple with even simpler ingredients in the recipe. However, the flavor is anything but simple. This soup is created by first making a delicious chicken broth full of aromatics, making a soft dough for the dumplings that soak up the delicious broth, and bringing it all together in the end with the addition of a few spices. Therefore, I have the recipe divided into three parts so the directions are easy to follow.
With this being my birthday week, I felt compelled to make this recipe in memory of Mother Jean. I used to love when my mother made us Chicken and Dumplings back in the day. She would normally make them during the Fall and Winter months or during a celebration of some sort. No one was sending text messages or posting to Facebook about the meal they were cooking….because there was no Facebook or text messages at the time. However, somehow people knew mom was making Chicken and Dumplings. Before I knew it, I was hanging out with my cousins while my aunts chatted it up around the kitchen table with my mom. We were all full, happy, and enjoying each others company. I love reminiscing about these moments in time. You never realize how great a moment is until it becomes a memory. I am blessed to have a recipe for such a great dish with beautiful memories attached to it.
This is one of my husband’s favorite meals. I do not mind because I am always looking for an excuse to make them. It allows me to reminisce about those beautiful times and create new ones with the family. About a month ago, a beloved family member asked for assistance with the recipe. I went over to their home with my rolling pin in hand. We laughed and chatted up the latest news just like my mom and aunts would when I was a child.
I now know, in adulthood, that it was the love the meal was cooked with that brought us all together. I am sure my mother knew that the meal would attract our loved ones. She knew that our home would be full of family, laughter, and love. For that, I am not able to thank her enough.
Dairy
You can substitute the dairy in the recipe with alternatives if you have an allergy or you just do not choose to include it in your diet. I personally substitute the dairy ingredients due to being lactose intolerant. Therefore, I can tell you from first hand experience that the recipe is still delicious and maintains the authentic flavor without it.
Milk: I used almond milk in place of regular milk. Be sure that whatever milk alternative you use does not have added sugar. Also, look out for milk alternatives with vanilla or vanillin. The addition of the vanilla or vanillin (an artificial chemical that tastes like vanilla) will give off a slightly sweet flavor in your soup. You may not have a problem with that. However, I accidentally used one with vanilla and my husband was not fond of it at all. If this was a text message I would insert a few lols because he does not allow me to forget it. He continues cracking jokes insisting I not make him sweet chicken and dumplings. You have been warned. Ha!
Butter: In place of regular butter, butter flavored coconut oil is a good one if you are looking for a nice flavor. It is normally sold at most grocery stores in my area. However, if you are having trouble find it in the stores it is available on Amazon. Earth Balance also makes a good substitute.
Southern Chicken and Dumplings
Yield: 8 servings
Chicken Broth
1 chicken, whole
5 to 6 sprigs of thyme
3 dried bay leaves
2 celery stalks with leaves
5 garlic cloves
½ large yellow onion, halved
4 to 6 sprigs italian parsley
1½ tbsps peppercorns
Add chicken, celery, onion, garlic, black peppercorns, thyme, and Italian parsley to a large stock pot. Fill with water until the chicken is fully covered.
Bring to a boil. Afterwards, reduce heat to a simmer for an hour or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Tip: You can work on making your dumplings while your chicken is cooking. (scroll down for dumpling details)
Dough
2½ cups flour (extra for dusting)
1½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 tbsps butter or butter alternative
1¼ cup milk or milk alternative
Mix all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt). Add butter or butter alternative. Begin to rub in the butter to the flour mixture. It will be dry and crumbly.
Add the milk or milk alternative and stir ensuring the flour mixture is completely saturated. It will create a shaggy dough texture.
Divide dough into about 3 parts. Take one section of dough and roll it out on a floured surface until it is about 1/8" of a inch thick. You have the option of not rolling the dough so thin if you prefer a thicker dumpling. Cut into squares or strips in the size you prefer. I used 1"x 2" inch strips but I sometimes make them into 3 inch strips.
The dumplings may stick to each other so try not to layer them directly. Sprinkle with a light dusting of flour lay the cut dumplings out on a sheet pan or separated by parchment until ready to use.
Soup
cooked chicken
dumpling dough, rolled out and cut
3 celery stalks, small diced
2 carrots, small diced
2 green bell pepper, small diced
½ large yellow onion, small diced
¼ cup milk or milk alternative
2 tbsps butter or butter alternative
1 tbsp cayenne pepper (adjust to your heat preference)
½ tbsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika (not sweet paprika)
salt, to taste
Remove the fully cooked chicken from the broth. Strain broth to remove all aromatics or solids. Reserve at least 8 cups of the broth in your pot. Allow chicken to cool.
Add your diced onion, celery, carrots, and bell peppers to the strained broth. Cooked on medium heat for about 15 minutes.
Add your cut pieces of dough one by one to ensure they do not stick to each other. Allow to cook for about 10 more minutes. Ensure your dumplings do not stick to the bottom of your pot. If so, you need to lower your heat.
Debone your boiled chicken. Add chicken, milk (or alternative), cayenne, black pepper, paprika, salt, and butter (or alternative). Reduce heat to low. Allow to cook for about 15 more minutes.
Don’t forget to add a sprinkle of love…
Ladle into bowls and enjoy!
-Jean
