Chicken & Dumplings

Thursday 8 June 2017

Chicken & Dumplings





We had the best news ever yesterday about my husband's cancer.  The radiation did its job and it has been eradicated. 

 

We celebrated after seeing the specialist by enjoying an egg custard tart a piece in the hospital cafe, and then we came home and I made my husband one of his favourite dinners.  Chicken and Dumplings!



Chicken & Dumplings







You will need cooked chicken to make these.  I had actually roasted a chicken the day before so that I would have plenty to make this dish, just in case!  


You could also poach some chicken breasts, use a rotisserie chicken, whatever works for you! 




Chicken & Dumplings






My husband is not a hard man to please.  He is a simple man with simple tastes and he was in heaven when I set a bowl of this in front of him.  



Literal heaven.  He just loves chicken and dumplings!



Chicken & Dumplings






I love them too, and not just because they are delicious.  I also love them because they are a really simple supper to make.  



You just make a simple chicken stock gravy and drop in the cooked chicken, and then drop buttery dumplings on top, cover and steam.  Easy peasy. 



Chicken & Dumplings






The hardest part really IS keeping yourself from peeking while the dumplings are cooking.  Trust me when I tell you that is the quickest and easiest way to ruin a good dumpling.  




Just throw caution to the wind, pop that lid on and have patience and faith that they will turn out!  



Chicken & Dumplings






Remember  . . .  If you be looking the dumplings ain't cooking!  Its a total truth.  DON'T look, not even for a second.  



Your patience and self control will be rewarded by light and fluffy dumplings . . .  so tasty nestled in a bowl of that delicious chicken stew.  Dig in!  Supper is served! 



Chicken & Dumplings






*Chicken & Dumplings*
Serves 4
If you have someone special in your life that you want to do something special for, make em this. This is guaranteed to put a smile on literally anyone's face! The recipe can easily be doubled successfully. 

For the Chicken gravy:
4 TBS butter, cut into pieces
70g plain flour (1/2 cup)
830ml warm chicken broth or stock (3 1/2 cups)
salt and black pepper to taste
1 large carrot, peeled and diced (3/4 cup)
3 ribs celery, plus the leaves, chopped (1 1/4 cups) 

For the Dumplings:
140g plain flour (1 cup)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 TBS cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
80ml whole milk (1/3 cup) 

You will also need:
3 cups cooked chicken, torn into large pieces
2 TBS fresh parsley to garnish 

I use my medium la creuset pan for this.  You will want a dutch oven type of stove top casserole dish with a tight fitting lid.  Add the butter to the pan and melt it over medium low heat.  Once it begins to foam add the celery and the carrot.  Stir to coat and then cover tightly and allow them to sweat over low heat for 5 to 8 minutes. 

 Stir in the flour and cook for a few minutes to cook out the flour taste.  Slowly whisk in the warm stock, and cook, stirring until the mixture bubbles and thickens.  Let cook on a slow simmer for about 15 minutes at which time the vegetables should have softened nicely.  Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.

While the vegetables are cooking make the dumpling dough.  Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl. Drop in the butter and cut it in with a pastry blender, or two round bladed knives.  Stir in the parsley and milk to make a nice dropping batter. 

Stir the chicken into the gravy and heat through. Bring it to a quick simmer.  Drop the dumpling dough  onto the top of the simmering stew by dollops.  Cover tightly and Cook for 20 minutes, until the dumplings are well risen and cooked through.  Don't be tempted to lift the lid to look during that time.  Remember "IF you Be Looking . . . It ain't cooking!"   The quickest way to ruin a good dumpling is to look sneak a peek while they are cooking.  Ladle the finished stew into soup plates, sprinkle with parsley and dig in!




Chicken & Dumplings






I can't think of a better reason to celebrate than the good news we got from the hospital, can you?  We were both well over the moon.  



This was the perfect celebratory meal.  Much nicer than anything we could have found in a restaurant and a heck of a lot cheaper!  Bon Appetit!

7 comments

  1. Yay for ur Todd that he's cancer free!!!
    I just brought my daughter grocery shopping today and this is one of her meals that she's planning to make her kids. Lol.
    I hope Suze is feeling better also!
    Have a great day! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jan! We are well pleased! Chicken and Dumplings can't be wrong! Great minds must think alike! xo

      Delete
  2. That meal is perfect for celebrating because it is simply wonderful! Thanks for sharing the recipe! (My grandmother said the same about dumplings...put the lid on and do not touch!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's beyond wonderful Kay! You are very welcome! Xo

      Delete
  3. Wonderful news Marie, we are so glad for you and Todd!!
    As it happens my husband just had a follow up post-cancer check (all good) so we are going to celebrate with this, it looks like something he would absolutely love!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ellie! That is great news on your front also! Your hubby will love this for sure! xo

      Delete
  4. you have a great website, no clutter, easy to follow nd yummy recipes, thank you. Barb

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you so do not be shy!


BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT OR RATING, ASK YOURSELF:
Did you make the recipe as directed? Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.

Is this comment helpful to other readers? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Remember that this website is run by a real person.

Are you here to complain about ads? Please keep in mind that I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising helps to defray my cost of doing so, and allows me to continue to post regular fresh content.

Thanks so much for your understanding! I appreciate you!