Frugal Foodie Mama: Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings

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Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings

This Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings recipe is just like the classic comfort food you grew up with, but it is even more flavorful than you remember thanks to the addition of a few extra ingredients...



This Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings recipe is just like the classic comfort food you grew up with, but it is even more flavorful than you remember thanks to the addition of a few extra ingredients.







We have had several chilly & rainy days here lately, and chilly, rainy days call for spending the afternoon curled up on the couch with a warm blanket, Netflix, & a bowl of the most perfect comfort food. For me, that most perfect bowl of comfort food is homemade chicken & dumplings. 





It is one of my go-to recipes when I am feeling under the weather or just down in the dumps. Or when I need to bring a little comfort food to a friend or family member who is going through a tough time. It is simple, flavorful, and gives you a warm hug from the inside out.





I will be the first to admit that traditional chicken & dumplings is usually pretty bland. Most recipes I have seen are a simple mixture of chicken broth, chicken, and flour based dumplings. And while my easy to make recipe certainly includes all of those classic ingredients, I decided kick up the flavor level just a bit with the addition of sauteed onion & garlic and a couple of bay leaves...







This Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings recipe is just like the classic comfort food you grew up with, but it is even more flavorful than you remember thanks to the addition of a few extra ingredients.






You can bake your chicken breasts, use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, or do what I do and toss a few frozen chicken breasts into my slow cooker. Seriously, folks. It is the easiest way to make perfectly poached chicken without having to thaw out chicken. 





Place 2-3 chicken breasts in your slow cooker, add in enough water to cover the bottom of the insert, then cook on high for about 4 hours. You can then transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a cutting board, allow them to cool slightly, and then cut or shred them. This is how I always make my cooked chicken for all of my family's favorite chicken dinner recipes. :)






This Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings recipe is just like the classic comfort food you grew up with, but it is even more flavorful than you remember thanks to the addition of a few extra ingredients.






The dumplings in this recipe have a little bit of chew to them, which I personally love. These are not fluffy, biscuit like dumplings. The broth is so simple, yet super flavorful. If you ask me, this Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings recipe is the perfect combination of textures, flavors, and just pure comfort. ;)







This Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings recipe is just like the classic comfort food you grew up with, but it is even more flavorful than you remember thanks to the addition of a few extra ingredients.











Yield: Serves 6
Author:

Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings

Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings

This Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings recipe is just like the classic comfort food you grew up with, but it is even more flavorful than you remember thanks to the addition of a few extra ingredients.

prep time: 20 min cook time: 35 min total time: 55 min

ingredients:

  • 2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 32 oz. (4 cups) carton of chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

instructions:

How to cook Old Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings

  1. In large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once heated, add in the onion & garlic and saute just until soft, about 2-3 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Then add in the bay leaves and chopped chicken. Bring to a gentle boil.
  2. While the broth mixture is coming to a boil, prepare the dumplings. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, & baking powder. Add in the cubed butter and work it into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or 2 forks until a crumbly mixture forms. Pour in the milk and mix until a dough forms. Roll the dough into a large ball and place on a well floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/3 inch thickness & then cut into squares using a pizza cutter.
  3. Once the broth mixture has come to a boil, drop in the dough squares one at a time. Cover the pot, turn the heat down to medium and bring to a simmer. Cook for another 20 minutes or so, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
  4. Fish out the bay leaves, and then ladle into bowls. Season with salt & pepper to taste and then serve immediately. These chicken & dumplings are also great served over mashed potatoes.
  5. Enjoy!
Created using The Recipes Generator








How has the weather been where you are?
What is your most perfect bowl of comfort food?







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