Hearty Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings

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!