How to Make Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings from Scratch

There’s nothing quite like a warm and comforting bowl of chicken and dumplings on a cold day, and making it from scratch is easier than you might think. Here’s how to make old fashioned chicken and dumplings from scratch for a meal that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (cut into pieces)
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1/4 cup butter
2 cups milk
2 tsp thyme
1 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

Begin by preparing the chicken. Cut the chicken into pieces (drumsticks, thighs, breasts, etc.) and place them in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the chicken and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the chicken simmer for about 45 minutes, or until it’s cooked through.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dumplings. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Cut in the vegetable shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly stir in the chicken broth until the dough comes together. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it’s smooth.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into small pieces, about the size of a quarter. Set aside.
Once the chicken has finished cooking, remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool. Strain the broth to remove any solids and return it to the pot. Add the butter, water, milk, thyme, and black pepper to the broth and stir until everything is well combined.
Once the chicken has cooled, remove the meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken back to the pot with the broth mixture and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
With the broth mixture simmering, add the dumplings to the pot one by one. Be sure to stir them gently to prevent them from sticking together. Continue to simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and the broth has thickened slightly.
Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with some freshly chopped herbs if desired.

Conclusion:

Making old fashioned chicken and dumplings from scratch is a delicious and comforting meal that’s perfect for warming up on a cold day. With just a few simple ingredients and these easy-to-follow instructions, you can have a homemade meal that’s sure to impress. So why not give it a try today? Your taste buds will thank you.