Fall went out in a blazing 67 degree day of glory a couple weeks ago, and I think it’s now safe to say that it’s officially the season that shall not be named in Iowa.
Flurries seem to be fluttering around at all hours of the of day, static is dominating my life, and all I want is warm carbs. Tonight, to combat the now constant, chilly temps, I made the warmest, most comforting dinner I could think of. A cozy, culinary hug, if you will. Homemade Chicken & Dumplings.
I am obsessed with this dish!!! It takes a little bit of time to make if you’re going the 100% homemade route like I did, but it is so worth the effort!
This ultimate comfort food recipe is broken into two parts:
1. The chicken
2. The dumplings
Surprise!
The Chicken:
First we start with the chicken which, after simmering low and slow with aromatic vegetables, produces a savory and luxurious stock, and juicy shredded chicken for the Chicken & Dumplings. You’ll want a 4-5lb fryer chicken for the recipe. Take it out of the wrapping and remove the giblets inside.
Next, chop up aromatic vegetables including onion, celery and carrot.
Place the chicken and veggies into the largest stock or soup pot you’ve got, and pour in enough water to completely cover the chicken.
Simmer the chicken low and slow for an hour, and you’ll be rewarded with this.
The most succulent, juicy, tender chicken you ever did see. Rest on a plate for now.
Turn your attention back to the pot which now contains cups and cups of ultra-flavorful, homemade chicken stock.
Line a colander with cheesecloth and strain the stock through it.
I got this cheesecloth from the regular grocery store in the disposable baking dishes and cooking utensils aisle, for about $2.50.
Discard the veggies, and you are left with pure, liquid GOLD my friends!
You should end up with around 12 cups of stock, 8 of which you’ll need for the Chicken & Dumplings.
FYI – after the stock cools, place it in the fridge and the fat will rise to the top and harden. Then you can just remove and discard.
After the chicken has cooled a bit, remove the meat from the bones, and shred it all up. You should get about 6-7 cups total from the chicken, but you’ll only need about 3 for the recipe.
The Dumplings:
Ok – part 1 = done. Time to turn our attention to part 2 – the dumplings! These puppies are pretty much foolproof. Start with flour, baking powder and salt, then cut in some butter.
You can use a pastry cutter, a fork – or go old school like me and use your fingers. Just squish the flour and butter between your fingers until it’s the texture of cornmeal.
Next, add in enough skim milk so that when you stir the dough with a fork, it comes together in a ball.
Place some of the dough onto a heavily floured surface. As in – no inch of the cutting board should be without a thick dusting of it.
Flour a rolling pin, and roll the dough pretty thin.
Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into approximately 2″ x 2″ squares – it doesn’t have to be perfect. I showed my inner Type A the doorwith this recipe in regards to the flour mess and imprecise dumpling cutting. I even made Ben come to the kitchen to watch and observe the craziness. He was impressed.
Continue rolling and cutting your dumplings, placing them on a platter. Add a heavy dusting of flour between each layer so they don’t stick together.
Bring the reserved chicken stock up to a boil and drop the dumplings in one by one, gently stirring so they won’t stick together. Don’t be afraid of getting too much flour into the broth – it’ll just make for that much more of a thick and creamy Chicken & Dumplings.
About 10 minutes later the dumplings should be plump and chewy. PERFECT! Stir in the reserved, shredded chicken, add more salt & pepper if necessary, then dish it on up!
Take THAT, winter!
I could NOT be more tickled with how well this dish turned out! The broth was thick and creamy, the dumplings were plump and chewy, and the chicken was tender and juicy.
You could totally make this dish in a snap by using store-bought chicken stock and chicken – but taking the time to slow cook the chicken and make your own stock is SO rewarding. A perfect Sunday afternoon activity!
Shannon 12.06.2011
PIZZA!!!! Anytime any place, baby.
Jen C. 12.06.2011
So to the chicken question… we raise chickens, ducks and turkeys. You eat both sexes. Our birds are heritage breed and free range so they are butchered at a later age than the commercial chickens. The biggest difference in the taste of Chickens is not the sex it is the age of the bird and what they are eating. Different aged birds require different styles of cooking. Commercial chickens are all butchered around the same age so it doesn’t make a difference for them. If you are roasting heritage birds it is different than commercial also, but for this type of a recipe it wouldn’t make a difference. And they are all called Chickens!!! Chicken is the species name :)
Jessica 12.06.2011
The ultimate comfort food to me is a warm bowl of chicken tortilla soup. There is just something about the cheese, avocado slices, and squeezed lemon mixed together that makes it awesome. Its even better when it’s cold.
em @ simplypresent 12.06.2011
Looks like a warm and comforting meal for a chilly day!
dawn 12.06.2011
http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/12/chicken-and-dumplings/
That is how I make mine, like this blogger!!! I think your recipe looks more like noodles really.
What do you think? Is it because I am west coast??
Trisha 12.07.2011
I’m right here in the Midwest and I would have to agree. The recipe Dawn posted is moreso what we call dumplings. No matter what you call ’em though, I’d have to say they’re equally delicious!
Rebecca 12.06.2011
The ultimate comfort food to me is a piece of cheese toast and a bowl of chicken noodle soup. It reminds me of childhood.
Beth 12.06.2011
That looks sooo tasty!
My mom makes a simple chicken stew that just screams warmth and comfort, but I’m also a huge fan of mashed potatoes & gravy as well as egg sandwiches with american cheese…I don’t think I can call one a favorite!
jessica 12.06.2011
Pot roast is one of my comfort foods made in the crockpot with potatoes, onions & carrots!
Foodiku 12.06.2011
This looks delicious. Can I just hire you to make it for me for the evening? Dealing with whole chickens is a challenge I have not yet been willing to take on. Wondering if there’s an easy crockpot version . . . to Google I go!
And yes . . . it’s definitely winter in Iowa. I’m sporting my silly, colorful warm hat and my hoodie over it.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn 12.06.2011
Deeeeee chicken. Deeeeee dumplings!
Karen B. 12.06.2011
Wow. That’s all I can say.
Lindsey 12.06.2011
I had never had or made Chicken and Dumplings until a few weeks ago when I tried a recipe from Skinny Crockpot. The recipe turned out so good and my husband declared it a favorite recipe for sure. I will have to try a non crockpot version one day too.
Lauren @ Vaguely Vegan 12.06.2011
Wow that looks so delicious! My ultimate comfort food would probably be lasagna, which is kind of a challenge to make dairy-free, but I’m getting there…
Baking Serendipity 12.06.2011
I live in Phoenix and believe it or not, I woke up to a 62 degree house this morning and below freezing outside. I’m a ridiculous freeze baby and definitely need this dish!
Eeleen 12.06.2011
Looks so yummy!! :) Have to try it out someday. :)
By the way, regarding the “all chickens sold in grocery stores are female” issue (HAHA!), according to my mom, roosters don’t taste as good as hens.
Which is why roosters are kept for reproduction purposes only. :) Not sure how true is this but hope it helps to explain why.
I’m from Malaysia and we have chickens running along the smaller streets most of the time. Haha. :)
Lexi 12.06.2011
I love making chicken pot pie, but I need to try this too!
CherubMamma 12.06.2011
Mashed potatoes. The most perfect food in the world.
The chicken and dumplings look wonderful. I just happen to have to homemade smoked chicken stock in the freezer right now that would probably make this dish even more amazing. I might have to give it a try. (FYI: homemade chicken stock is wonderful — but homemade smoked chicken stock will knock your socks off!!)
Lisa S 12.06.2011
Three words for you…
heated mattress pad
It will change your life forever!!! Great for relieving sore muscles post workout as well!
shandy (@webgals) 12.06.2011
Oh yum. I want that now!
alyssa - fashion fitness foodie 12.06.2011
How comforting! Looks like its worth the time it takes..