Chicken & Dumplings

Some dishes feel like the person who taught you to make them. Chicken and Dumplings will always be my mamaw. The way we would catch up while the broth simmered, the way her hands moved without measuring anything, and the way she would say, “just cook it ‘til it feels right.” I can see her standing over the stove evert time I stir this pot. These just feel like home. Y’all are going to love these.

For the broth:

2-32 oz containers of chicken stock

8-c water

1/2 onion, chopped

2-3 celery stalks, cut in half

2 tsp garlic, y'all know I don't measure this

Salt and pepper to taste

2- Ibs of chicken, I used boneless, skinless, chicken breasts and thighs

Place all above ingredients in a LARGE stock pot and bring to a boil Continue boiling for about 40-45 minutes, or until chicken is done and will easily shred. Remove chicken from pot and place in a large bowl. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it all up and then set it aside. Strain the broth to remove the vegetables, then return the broth to the pot.

Add the following ingredients :

8- c water

1- (12 oz) can of evaporated milk

1 stick of butter

1/2 tsp salt

1-tsp pepper

While the broth is cooking and coming up to a boil, make the dumplings.

For the dumplings :

5-c- all purpose flour

1-stick-cold butter, shredded

3- TBSP- vegetable oil

1/2- c buttermilk

1- c- milk

Measure out your flour in a large bowl. Add your cold shredded butter and mix to coat the flour. Then add the oil, buttermilk and milk and mix until a rough dough forms Turn out on floured surface and knead several times until the dough comes together and is smooth. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough into a large round about 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Using a floured pizza cutter, cut the dough into strips and then into rough squares, this doesn't have to be perfect, it's ok if it's a little rustic.

Once your dumpling are made and your broth is boiling, add 1/2 of your shredded chicken into the broth and stir.

Then drop your dumplings, a few at a time, into the broth.

They will sink. DO NOT STIR! If you stir the dumplings will break apart and dissolve and then you'll just have a mess.

Once the dumplings are done, they will float to the top. Add the other 1/2 of your shredded chicken and dot with a few TBSP of butter and add pepper. It's ok to gently stir at this point. Let this cook about 15-20 minutes to thicken, then serve and enjoy!!!

1 know this is a little time consuming, but trust me, it is so worth it. These are amazingly delicious. I hope y'all love them as much as I do.