ic Kathe With an E: Chicken & Dumplings - Recipe

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Chicken & Dumplings - Recipe

It's that time of year again.
We woke up to 18 degrees and this:

The good news is,
in a few days we will be back to temps in the 60's
and the white stuff will be forgotten...
until next time.

Whenever the weather turns cold
Mr. B requests his favorite comfort food meal,
Chicken & Dumplings,
and I am happy to oblige.

Once again I turn to my favorite recipe, adapted from,
The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.
Cookbook2
This is a nice slowly cooked meal,
giving the chicken thighs plenty of time to release their
juicy flavor.

By suppertime,
the house spells amazing and we can't wait to dig in!
 It truly is cold weather comfort food at it's very best!

Chicken & Dumplings
Slightly adapted from The America' s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

Stew:
5 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Salt & Pepper
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons(1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 ribs celery, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 onion, minced
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white wine
4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup whole milk (I've used  2% milk and noticed no difference)
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
2 bay leaves
1 cup frozen peas
3 tablespoons minced, fresh parsley or 1 1/2 tablespoons dried

Dumplings:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk (again, you can use 2% with no problem)
3 tablespoons reserved chicken fat (or unsalted butter)

For the stew:
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt an pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large, heavy dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. We are going for just color here, not cooking the chicken until cooked through. Transfer the chicken to plate and remove the browned skin. Pour off and save the chicken fat. Return the dutch oven to medium-high heat and repeat with the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and the remaining chicken. Remember to reserve any chicken fat.

Add the butter to the Dutch oven and melt over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onions and celery and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, about 6 to 7 minutes.
Stir in the flour.
Whisk in the wine, scraping up any brown bits. Stir in the broth, milk, thyme, and bay leaves.
Nestle the chicken, along with any accumulated juices, into the pot.
Cover and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked and falling off the bone, several hours.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Discard the bay leaves. Allow the sauce to settle for a few minutes, then skim the fat from the surface using a wide spoon. Shred the chicken, discarding the the bones and other unsavory pieces, then return to meat to the stew.

For the Dumplings:
Do Not Prepare Before Ready!
Stir the flour, baking powder and salt together. Microwave the milk and fat (or butter) in a microwave safe measuring cup on high until just warm (do not overheat), about 1 minute. Stir the warmed milk mixture into the flour mixture with a fork until incorporated and smooth.

Return the stew to a simmer, add the peas and parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper. Drop golf ball-sized dumplings onto the stew about 1/4 inch apart (you should have about 18 dumplings). Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until the dumplings have doubled in size and look dry, about 15-20 minutes.

Serve hot and sit back and enjoy 
the oohs and aahs as your family enjoys this, stick to your ribs, meal.

I have never tried but, I would guess that, after browning the chicken,
you could cook the recipe the rest of the way in a crockpot for a weekday meal. 
Let me know if you try it that way.  


Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

And don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for the link party.
 

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47 comments:

  1. We are getting a much needed break from Mother Nature, mild temps and snow we received Wednesday has melted away. This sounds so good, ultimate comfort food. xo

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  2. Sounds good Kathe. I will have to pin this for later use!

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  3. It has rained all day, with raging winds. It was mid-70's yesterday, almost that warm this morn, going into low 20's tonight. Joys of Missouri weather!
    Chicken and dumplings are my absolute, all-time favorite meal. I have been making them for many years, but since I found this recipe on Test Kitchen, it is the only way I make them. Never tried the crock pot, but can testify that this makes the best chicken and dumplings you will ever eat!!!

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  4. I'm pinning this Kathe. I've been looking for a good chicken and dumplings recipe!

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  5. Snow,Oh My! I must say that Chicken and Dumplings is one of my favorite comfort foods! My Mom's is always so good! Your recipe looks great! Hugs, Linda

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  6. I love chicken and dumplings! This looks wonderful. Pinned to try!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing at All my Bloggy Friends. I'm looking forward to seeing what you share this week! :)

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  7. I need to try this one! Thanks Kathe!

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  8. I'm a big fan of chicken and dumplings and never tried it this way. I'll have to try this version.

    My grandmother's recipe called for flour, salt and water for the dumplings which were rolled out and cut and dropped into rich chicken broth and cooked for about 30-45 minutes until the dumplings were double in size and tender.

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  9. This looks delicious! I've made chicken and biscuits, but never chicken and dumplings. I may have to give this a try. I am your newest GFC follower. I hope you'll stop by Posed Perfection for a visit and maybe even a follow back.
    Blessings,
    Nici

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  10. Mmmm, this looks so good. What a great mouth-watering photo! I'll be pinning this, as I know it would make a wonderful dinner. I also followed you on Linky. Fall blessings to you!

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  11. mmmmmm pass it down!!!! Lol Debbie:)

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  12. Yumm! Nothing like chicken & dumplings during the fall. Would love it if you linked up on my blog hop www.w-t-fab.com/search/label/bloghop. Also let me know if you'd like to follow each other!

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  13. I so love Chicken and Dumplings. I haven't made them for so long I probably forgot how. Good thing I have your recipe now. It looks amazing. I appreciate you sharing on "I Gotta Try That"
    Marcie

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  14. I am going to try this recipe with my left over turkey! Can't wait!

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  15. I was actually thinking this morning that it's very strange that we have not had any snow yet... YAY!! hehe The chicken dumplings look soooooo good Kathe!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality!

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  16. Oh that sounds so delicious Kathe! Perfect for a cold winter's day!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  17. No snow here but that Chicken and Dumplings would sure hit the spot right now:) Pinning!

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  18. Looks awesome!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  19. Thanks for sharing this. It sounds lovely. I'll be trying it out.
    Ali x

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  20. I don't think that life gets much better then chicken and dumplings.......Comfort and love in a big bowl....I have made a couple of times and really like that dish. Looks so delish andi the wednesday baker

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  21. I can smell it in my head. Chicken and dumplings was one of my favorites growing up. Thanks for the reminder to try it again soon!

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  22. Hi Kathe,
    This looks so good. I love chicken and dumplings. Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party.
    Have a great day.
    Debi

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  23. Yum! Looks delicious! New follower here from the link party! Would love for you to visit me and join my site as well!

    therecipecritic.com

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  24. I love American's Test Kitchen recipes... this one sounds perfect for your cold spell. I would love if you'd share this on my foodie friday party today.

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  25. Found your post via Happy Go Lucky. Have to pin, as I would love to make dumplings sometime! Thanks for sharing. :)

    ahumblebumble.blogspot.com

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  26. mmmm, the PERFECT comfort food!It is also a favorite at our house. we would be happy with that snow :)

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  27. I would have to agree with your hubby; looks like the perfect comfort food! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday. Please come back and vote on Sunday!

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  28. Perfect for a cold wintry day! This would be my number one comfort food and I can't wait to try your version. It looks and sounds yummy!

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  29. Looks delicious! I pinned it so I can try it later. I love soups and stews!

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  30. yes in deed perfect for a winter day Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo

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  31. This sounds and looks delicious Kathe! Nothing like a good hot meal cookin to warm a cold winter day! I have a recipe for an easy Chicken and Dumplings that my family all adores! Haven't made it for a while. Best get cookin! Thanks for sharing your recipe with Share Your Cup.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  32. I've actually never had this meal before, but I've just pinned it because it looks delicious :))

    Thanks for sharing with my NO RULES Weekend Blog Party!
    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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  33. Yummy! Chicken and dumplings reminds me of a dear Aunt who always made them for us. Stay warm - 18 degrees! Burrr...too cold, I'm not ready for that!
    Cindy

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  34. Oh, this is perfect for a snowy day!! I was just complaining about our 33 degrees! How I miss the snow. I'm from MO, and we had snow every year. We don't get much where I live now, and if we do it only stays about a day. Stay warm, and enjoy your delicious chicken and dumplings! Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent! So thrilled to have you share. Hugs

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  35. Oh, this looks wonderful! I will have to try...

    Visiting from Sunny Simple Sunday.

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  36. 18 degrees calls for a comfort food recipe. :)

    Our day is coming (soon).

    I'm visiting you from the No Rules Weekend hop.

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  37. Oh this dish looks so comforting and perfect for the cold nights here in Seatlle!
    Thank you so much for sharing this at Wednesday Extravaganza! Hope to see you there again this week :)

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  38. This looks so delicious. Perfect fall recipe! I would love to have you come share some of your great ideas at the link party on ‘Or so she says…' There’s one going on right now (and every Saturday – Tuesday). Hope to see you there! www.oneshetwoshe.com

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  39. I make the worlds worst dumplings and I love them
    soooo... I'm going to make yours because they look
    so good..
    Thanks for sharing
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family
    Sandy

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  40. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe!

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  41. Thank you so much for sharing on Simple & Sweet Fridays. I'll have to make this delicious recipe!

    Jody

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  42. This looks delicious! I'll definitely be making this to warm up this winter!

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  43. Kathe,
    I am definitely going to try this one! I've never made Chicken and Dumplings but my Mom used to. This looks so delicious and comforting. Perfect for a cold winter evening :) Thanks for sharing at Creative Thursday :)
    Michelle

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  44. Happy Thanksgiving your recipe is being featured today on foodie friday. I will be tweeting etc it this week. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  45. Chicken dumplings recipe is shared in the post here. Read to know more

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