🍲 Chicken & Dumplings

Warm, hearty, and comforting — the ultimate Southern classic.

🧄 Ingredients

🍗 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs), cut into pieces
💧 8 cups water
🧂 Salt and pepper, to taste
🧅 1 onion, chopped
🥕 2 carrots, diced
🌿 2 celery stalks, chopped
🧈 3 tbsp butter
🍃 2 bay leaves
🥄 1 tsp dried thyme

For the Dumplings:

🥣 2 cups all-purpose flour
🧂 1 tbsp baking powder
🧈 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
🥛 3/4 cup whole milk
🌿 Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Chicken Broth

• In a large pot, add the chicken, water, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for about 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked and tender.

2. Shred the Chicken

• Remove the chicken from the pot. Let it cool slightly and shred it. Discard the bones and return meat to the broth.

3. Prepare the Dumplings

• In a mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
• Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk until a soft dough forms.
• Do not overmix.

4. Drop the Dumplings

• Drop spoonfuls of dough into the simmering broth. Cover with lid and cook for 15–20 minutes without lifting the lid.

5. Finish & Serve

• Gently stir, taste for seasoning, and sprinkle parsley if using. Serve hot and cozy!