Hearty Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings

This Hearty Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings dish brings comfort and warmth straight from your oven to your table. It’s a classic rustic meal, combining tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a savory broth, all cooked to perfection in a Dutch oven.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken and Broth:
– 1 whole chicken (approximately 4-5 pounds)
– 8 cups of chicken broth
– 4 large carrots, sliced
– 3 celery stalks, sliced
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
– Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dumplings:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 3 tablespoons butter, melted
– 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken and Broth:
– Place the whole chicken in a large Dutch oven. Add the chicken broth, sliced carrots, celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
– Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the Dutch oven, and let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

2. Shred the Chicken:
– Carefully remove the chicken from the broth and place it on a cutting board. Let it cool slightly, then shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding the skin and bones. Return the shredded chicken to the Dutch oven.

3. Make the Dumpling Batter:
– In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
– Stir in the melted butter and buttermilk until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the dumplings tough.

4. Add the Dumplings:
– Bring the broth back to a gentle boil. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the surface of the hot broth. The dumplings will puff up as they cook.
– Cover the Dutch oven tightly and reduce the heat to low. Let the dumplings steam for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and fluffy. Do not lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking, as this can cause them to deflate.

5. Serve:
– Ladle the chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings into bowls, making sure each serving has plenty of the savory broth. Enjoy your comforting bowl of Hearty Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings!