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Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings

Source of Recipe

From "Sizzling Skillets and Other One Pot Wonders" by Emeril Lagasse


Recipe Introduction

"This is the real-deal down-South chicken and dumplings. The dumplings feel like little pillows in your mouth, the chicken is meltingly tender, and the broth, well, it's simply delicious. It's easy to prepare—you just enrich broth with chicken and vegetables, make your dumplings, and simmer gently."

List of Ingredients

â—¦  5 pounds chicken leg quarters (8 to 10)
â—¦  4 carrots, cut into thirds, plus 1 cup diced
â—¦  3 onions, cut into large pieces, plus 1 cup chopped
â—¦  2 celery stalks, cut into thirds, plus ½ cup chopped
â—¦  6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
â—¦  6 sprigs thyme
â—¦  Leaves from 1 large sprig fresh rosemary
â—¦  2 bay leaves
â—¦  8 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
â—¦  4 cups water
â—¦  1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon salt
â—¦  ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
â—¦  ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
â—¦  3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
â—¦  1 teaspoon baking powder
â—¦  â…“ cup chopped mixed fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, oregano, and chives
â—¦  ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
â—¦  1 cup whole milk
â—¦  1 tablespoon unsalted butter
â—¦  2 cups frozen green peas


Recipe

In an 8-quart or larger heavy-bottomed pot, combine the chicken, carrot pieces, onion pieces, celery pieces, garlic, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, stock, water, 2 teaspoons of the salt, the black pepper, and the crushed red pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is very tender, about one hour.

While the chicken is cooking, make the dumplings. In a medium mixing bowl, mix the flour, remaining 1 ½ teaspoons salt, the baking powder, and the chopped herbs well with a fork. Add the shortening and work it into the flour with your fingers, a pastry blender, or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (It's okay for a few large flat pieces of shortening coated with flour to remain.) Add the milk and stir with a fork until incorporated.

Gather the dough together and press gently into a rough ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat together (with lightly floured hands if necessary). Knead the dough gently 6 or 7 times, then divide it into 3 pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll the dough out with a lightly floured rolling pin to a 1/16-inch thickness. Cut the dough into 1 ½-inch-wide strips, then cut the strips crosswise into roughly 1 ½-inch squares. Transfer the dumplings to a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough, putting a piece of parchment paper between the layers. Refrigerate the dumplings until ready to use, up to one day in advance.

Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside until cool enough to handle. Discard the skin, remove the meat from the bones, and reserve the meat. Discard the bones.

Strain the broth into another large pot or container and reserve. Discard the solids. Return the original pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and, when melted, add the chopped carrot, onion, and celery. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the strained broth and increase the heat to high. When the broth comes to a boil, add the dumplings in batches, stirring between additions. When the liquid returns to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir the dumplings once, very gently, to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot, and continue to cook, covered and undisturbed, until the dumplings are very tender, about 15 minutes longer.

Stir in the reserved chicken and the peas. Return the sauce to a gentle boil, cover, and remove from the heat. Let the chicken and dumplings sit, covered, for 20 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 quarts,
6 to 8 servings