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Southern cuisine is known for its rich flavors, comforting dishes, and time-honored traditions. One dish that embodies the essence of Southern comfort food is homemade chicken and dumplings. This classic recipe, passed down through generations, brings together tender chicken, flavorful broth, and pillowy dumplings.
In this article, we will share a delicious Southern chicken and dumplings recipe along with some helpful tips to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time.
Homemade Southern Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients
To make Southern homemade chicken and dumplings, you will need the following ingredients:
For the chicken and broth:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or 4-5 bone-in chicken thighs)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
Instructions
1. Prepare the chicken and broth:
- In a large pot, add the chicken pieces, chicken broth, diced onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool. Discard the bay leaf.
2. Shred the chicken:
- Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks or your hands. Set aside.
3. Make the dumplings:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually pour in the buttermilk while stirring the mixture with a fork until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for a minute or two.
4. Cook the dumplings:
- Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut it into small squares or rectangles.
- Return the pot with the chicken broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Drop the dumplings, one by one, into the simmering broth. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15-20 minutes until they are cooked through and tender.
5. Combine the chicken and dumplings:
- Add the shredded chicken back into the pot with the dumplings and broth.
- Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Allow the chicken and dumplings to simmer together for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
6. Serve and enjoy:
- Ladle the delicious homemade chicken and dumplings into bowls.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of the South.
Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings
- Use homemade chicken broth for the best flavor. If you don’t have homemade broth, opt for a high-quality store-bought version.
- For a richer broth, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream towards the end of cooking.
- To achieve light and fluffy dumplings, avoid overmixing the dough. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- If you prefer thicker broth, you can mix a small amount of flour with water to create a slurry and add it to the simmering broth, stirring continuously until it thickens.
- Leftover chicken and dumplings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors tend to meld and intensify over time, making it even more delicious.
Indulging in a steaming bowl of homemade Southern chicken and dumplings is like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket of comfort. This timeless dish brings together the rustic flavors of slow-cooked chicken, savory broth, and delicate dumplings.
With our recipe and tips, you can recreate this classic Southern delicacy in your own kitchen, serving up a taste of Southern comfort that will have your family and friends coming back for seconds. Enjoy the warmth and satisfaction that this dish brings, and savor every flavorful bite.
