Ingredients:
– Chicken (whole, thighs, breasts, or rotisserie)
– 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 carrots, sliced
– 2 celery stalks, sliced
– Salt
– Black pepper
– Thyme
– 2 cups flour
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 1/4 cup shortening or butter
– 3/4 cup milk
– Heavy cream or evaporated milk (optional)
– Cornstarch (for thickening)
– Parsley (for garnish)
– Bay leaves (optional)
Cooking Instructions:
- In a large pot, combine the chicken, chopped onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer over medium heat. If using a whole chicken, verify it’s fully submerged. Simmer for 45-60 minutes until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly. Strain the broth to remove the vegetables and return it to the pot.
- If you prefer a thicker broth, make a roux by melting 1/4 cup of butter in a separate pan, mixing in 1/4 cup of flour, and then whisking it into the strained broth. Alternatively, you can mix cornstarch with water and add it to the broth to thicken.
- Season the broth with salt, black pepper, thyme, and bay leaves to taste. If desired, stir in heavy cream or evaporated milk for an extra creamy texture.
- To prepare the dumplings, in a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter (or shortening) with milk, then combine with the dry ingredients until just mixed. Drop dumplings are steamed while infused with the soup’s rich liquid.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the simmering broth. Cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy. Avoid overcrowding the pot with dumplings, as this can affect their cooking.
- While the dumplings are cooking, shred the chicken and return it to the pot once the dumplings are done. Stir gently to combine and allow to heat through.
- Serve the chicken and dumplings immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with a simple green salad and some fruit for a complete meal.
Extra Tips:
For a variation in flavors, consider adding different vegetables such as peas or corn to the broth.