.png "chicken and dumplings")
Dumplings are one of those foods that appear across all cultures and the reason is that everyone loves dumplings. Dumplings come savory and sweet, stuffed and not. Your family might call them gnocchi, wontons, matzo balls, kreplach, kartoffelknoedel, and pierogi or one of hundred of other sobriquets. Though I grew up slurping Campbell’s chicken and dumpling soup, I was an adult before I first encountered that iconic American dish, chicken, and dumplings. And I have never made it.
As I work my way through my Woman’s Day Encyclopedia of Cookery this week finds me at D. The C-section (forgive me) is huge, but D in comparison is a scant 60 pages. Volume 4, includes part of C, D, E, and part of F, while C took up most of Volume 2, all of three and part of four. Some of the D offerings were Danish, Dutch and Dessert recipes, as well as assorted essays and advice on diets which I skipped.
My first experience with this dish was in Jackson Mississippi, and the dumplings were rolled flat and cut into small rectangles, which is also the style of the Pennsylvania Dutch dish. Many of my go-to food authorities make a scooped, roundish dumpling which I prefer, and which is what the Woman’s Day recipe instructs too. Full disclosure I cut up the single onion I had and didn’t have any left to add to the dumpling batter.
The heat of July is hardly chicken and dumpling weather, but this recipe is quite wonderful, and when you make it you’ll thank me.
Chicken and Dumplings
Print recipe
| Serves | 4 |
| Prep time | 1 hour |
| Cook time | 50 minutes |
| Total time | 1 hour, 50 minutes |
| Meal type | Main Dish |
| Misc | Child Friendly |
| Region | American |
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs (or small chicken cut into quarters)
- 1 1/2 cup flour (1 cup reserved for dimpling batter)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- fresh ground black pepper
- enough oil to cover the bottom of a heavy bottomed pan
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 Medium onion (chopped into 1/4)
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 thick slices lemon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon table salt
- 2 Large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
Directions
| Step 1 | |
 Mix1/2 cup flour with kosher salt and pepper Dredge chicken in flour Heat oil in pan until shimmering | |
| Step 2 | |
 Brown chicken on both sides, skin side first Remove chicken to a plate | |
| Step 3 | |
 Toss onions with any flour remaining from dredging the chicken Saute onions until soft, but do not let them brown | |
| Step 4 | |
 Add stock, bay leaf, and lemons to pan, and stir well Add chicken back into pan, skin side up Cover and cook over low heat for 35 minutes | |
| Batter | |
| Step 5 | |
 Sift remaining 1 cup of flour with baking powder and table salt Mix in dried herbs | |
| Step 6 | |
 Mix egg yolks and milk together and add to dry mixture Stir until just combined, but do not overmix | |
| Step 7 | |
 Remove lid from chicken and remove bay leaves and lemon slices. Using two teaspoons drop 1 teaspoon of batter at a time into liquid. (About 12) Cover pot and simmer another 15 minutes. | |
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.jpg)
Peggy Gilbey McMackin - The dish looks delicious Nancy. Like everyone, I love dumplings. D for dumplings makes it a good letter in the cookery encyclopedia mix.
nrlowell@comcast.net - Thanks Peggy! I’ve made chicken and biscuits many times, but this was a new one for me. I’ll definitely make it again.
Angel Stew & Devil's Brew - This sounds delicious! I’ll definitely be making this. I have my grandma’s tried n’ true recipe but it’s always nice to change things up a bit. Thanks for sharing this!