Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Few things scream "comfort food" quite as loudly as old-fashioned chicken and dumplings. This satisfying chicken and dumplings recipe is as good as it gets!

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you'll need to make this old-fashioned chicken and dumplings recipe:

· Chicken: This recipe calls for seven pounds of chicken pieces. It's a great way to use up leftovers!
· Stock: Use store-bought or homemade chicken stock.
· Vegetables: You'll need two onions and three celery stalks.
· Seasonings: This dish is simply seasoned with salt and ground black pepper.
· Milk: Milk adds richness to the dumplings and keeps them moist.
· Flour: All-purpose flour creates structure and helps bind the dumplings together.
· Baking powder: Baking powder is essential for the fluffiest dumplings.
· Butter: Two tablespoons of butter adds even more moisture and richness.
· Parsley: Fresh parsley gives the dish a pop of color and flavor.

How to Make Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make traditional chicken and dumplings at home:

1. Cook the chicken, salt, and vegetables in stock.
2. Prepare the dumpling mixture according to the recipe below.
3. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture onto the simmering chicken.
4. Transfer the chicken and dumplings to a separate bowl.
5. Use the remaining stock to make gravy.
6. Return the chicken and dumplings to the pot. Garnish with parsley.

Nicole's Best Chicken and Dumplings Tips and Tricks

"Chicken and dumplings is one of the most quintessential Southern comfort foods of all time," according to culinary producer Nicole McLaughlin (a.k.a. NicoleMcMom). "To know it is to love it." Here are a few of her best tips and tricks for making the best chicken and dumplings of your life:

· Nicole opted to use seven pounds of chicken breasts and thighs because they're the easiest parts to handle.
· Nicole's favorite way to cut cold butter into the dumpling mixture? Use a cheese grater and stir!
· You'll know the gravy is done when it coats the back of a wooden spoon. If it slides right off, it's still too thin.

How to Store and Freeze Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Store your chicken and dumplings in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

If you plan to keep your leftovers for more than five days, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bags. Make sure to leave at least an inch of space at the top, as the liquid will expand during the freezing process. Squeeze out the excess air and freeze for up to three months.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"The recipe is great," raves WelderChef. "Instead of using cut up chicken, I simmered a turkey carcass left over from Thanksgiving and picked the meat off the bones. I added frozen peas and carrots and ended up with what reminded me of turkey pot pie."

"This is a great recipe," according to Carmen. "I did put my own twist on it. I seared my chicken first then added my chicken stock and veggies and baked instead of boiling the chicken. This gave it color and more flavor. I also added rosemary and thyme."

"Excellent," according to aimeelynn. "Rather than using pre-made stock I made some with onion, carrots, garlic powder, celery seed, and salt and pepper as I boiled the chicken."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams