Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

4.50 from 8 votes

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings made from scratch is pure southern comfort food and it is not at all difficult to make. Tender dumplings, lots of shredded chicken, and a super flavorful broth make this an unbelievably delicious meal.

Prep Time30

Cook Time1 10

Total Time1 40

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: Southern

Keyword: chicken

Servings:

Author: Christin Mahrlig

Equipment

Ingredients

1 (3-pound) whole chicken
2 celery stalks chopped
2 medium carrots peeled and chopped
1/2 medium onion chopped
2 quarts water
1 bay leaf
2 1/2 teaspoons salt divided
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
3/4 cup buttermilk

Instructions

Place chicken, celery, carrots, onion and 2 teaspoons of salt in a Dutch oven. Add water and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Remove chicken from pot. Let cool 15 minutes and then remove chicken from bone, discarding the skin and shredding the chicken.
Add pepper to pot and bring broth to a boil.
Meanwhile combine flour, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut shortening into flour until it resmembles coarse meal.
Add buttermilk and stir until dry ingredients are moistened.
Turn dough out onto a floured surface and kead 4 to 5 times. Roll out to a 1/2-inch thickness.
Pinch off dough in 1 1/2-inch pieces and add to boiling broth. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in chicken.

Nutrition