Growing up, whenever Grandmother Verdie said she was making Chicken and Dumplings, we begged to be able to eat dinner with her that night. Thick and creamy, full of moist, tender chicken, and dumplings that were light as a feather. Her recipe is a prize. No fiddling necessary with this recipe.
As I made her recipe for chicken and dumplings, I remembered how she would hum as she cooked. As she rolled her dough and gently dropped it into the soup, she would just hum away. Usually it was whatever song had been played in church the Sunday before and then sometimes it was the song, “Babies Got Her Blue Jeans On.” I have no idea why she loved that song so much, but I loved to watch her when it came on the radio. She’d always get the biggest grin.
Her kitchen wasn’t as big as a minute, but there she’d be cooking and humming and showing me how to get the dough just right. “It’s not the same as biscuit dough, now, ” she’d say. “Be sure not to overwork it. You don’t want your dumplings to sink.” She always gave the best advice – for recipes and everything else.
So, here’s her recipe. I’m sharing a family treasure. And please, be sure not to overwork your dough.
A classic, traditional family recipe for Southern Chicken and Dumplings.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 cups flour, self-rising
- 1 heaping tablespoon Crisco shortening
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup butter, cold
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
http://addapinch.com/cooking/2010/10/10/southern-chicken-and-dumplings/
- Boil chicken on low heat until very tender, approximately 2 hours.
- Remove chicken from broth and pull into strips, returning to broth.
- Add salt to broth.
For the dumplings:- Mix flour, Crisco, buttermilk, and water together to form dough.
- Roll out thin on lightly floured paper towels.
- Cut into 1 inch strips and pinch off 1 1/2 inch pieces.
- Drop dough pieces into boiling broth. Cook enough to turn over in broth.
- Add butter and milk and allow to gently boil for 3-5 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Copyright © Add a Pinch. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © Add a Pinch. All Rights Reserved.
And that’s how you make the best chicken and dumplings you can imagine.
I promise you, if you like chicken, you are going to love these chicken and dumplings. Without a doubt!
But I do wonder what memories Little Buddy will have of me when I’m cooking? It’s definitely my happy place. I think I’ll crank the music up a little louder when we’re cooking tomorrow. And hum a little more.
Enjoy!
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This looks so yummy! We didn’t have a rolling pin growing up so we used the pinch a bit method for everything from making biscuits to dumplings, cookies, or whatever we cooked that required one. Thanks so much for sharing such a treasured recipe with us. I can hardly wait to try it.
Wow, this looks like a little bowl of heaven. Love your recipes!
Tracy recently posted..How to Make Your Own Pumpkin Purée
One of my favorite southern dishes! Especially if I am not feeling well.
It just seems to settle just right on an upset tummy!
Joy recently posted..Family Recipes – Moist Pound Cake
My dumpling recipe is a little different – but I agree with you, it is a treasure. I probably make it once a week during the winter. I’m German – and our version is called Nookala.
Gwen T recently posted..Birthdays- Fish and Monkeys
I made the broth first with onions, celery and carrots. Strained it and then followed your recipe. I got a TON of compliments! The dumplings are a keeper! I think I would add a dash of poultry seasoning to them though. I know, grandma might cringe at that, huh?
MarshaMarshaMarsha recently posted..Bathroom deliberations
Just wanted to say that the print feature you have here is EXCELLENT. So many options!
MarshaMarshaMarsha recently posted..I Heart Faces- Orange
I’m confused. Is there butter in the dumplings dough AND the broth. The recipe states mix flour crisco, buttermilk, water and butter to form dough. Then later it says add milk and butter and boil. I don’t see where amounts are specified. Am I missing something?
Thanks so much for your question, Kari. Sorry it was confusing. The butter is only in the broth. I’ve updated to clarify. Thanks so much!
Love chicken and dumplings. Had to laugh….I grew up with a dropped dumpling. Husband grew up with rolled out dumplings. He accuses me of being a Yankee. I then demand to know why he doesn’t eat grits! LOL Running gag for 25 years of marriage.
Joyce Pinson recently posted..Inn Step with Chef Ouita Michel
What a touching story! Makes me miss my Great Grandma, she made the most phenomenal chicken and dumplings.
Stephanie (bake with ginger) recently posted..Snickers Brownies