Homemade Chicken and Dumplings!!!

Learn how to make the BEST chicken n dumplins you will every have!! Comfort food at it’s finest! This takes a bit of time to make and some multitasking is required but the payoff is SO worth it!

What you’ll need:
2 split chicken breasts (on the bone with skin, about 3 lbs)
8 cups water
2 bay leaves
1-1/2 tsp salt
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
2/3 cup AP flour
1/4 cup cream
1/2 cup frozen peas

In a large pot or dutch oven, add in split chicken breasts, water, salt and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for 45 minutes. Don’t boil too hard or tooo much water will evaporate. Prepare the vegetables and dumplings.

for the dumplings:
1-1/4 cups AP flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk

In a glass measuring cup, heat the milk and butter until butter is melted. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add in milk and butter mixture and stir with a fork just until combined. Dough should be soft. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead just a few times to make it come together (no more than 8 times). Roll out to 1/8″ thick and cut into 1″ strips and then into 3-4″ pieces. Cover with a damp towel until ready for them.

Meanwhile, after the chicken has cooked for 45 minutes, remove to a plate and let cool before shredding. Remove bay leaves from the stock. Add in the chopped vegetables and cook for 10 minutes. In a separate small saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook over medium heat for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to create a roux. Gradually add in stock until thinned out a bit. Add roux mixture to the stock with the vegetables and whisk until no lumps remain. Add in cream and peas. Bring to a light boil and add in the dumplings, one by one. Stir gently, cover and cook for 10 minutes or until dumplings are tender and done. Take off heat and add back in the shredded chicken. Stir to heat the chicken through and serve. Serves 4-6. Enjoy!!

**this is adapted from an Emeril Lagasse recipe for chicken and dumplings.

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