Light Chicken And Dumplings Food

LIGHT CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with rack placed in the center of the oven.
• In a large plastic bag combine 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons of flour, seasoned salt, cajun seasoning, black pepper and cayenne (if using). Close up bag and shake to combine. *Note if you are feeding this to young children who do not like spice, you might wish to omit the cayenne and the cajun seasoning.
• Season the chicken pieces using the additional 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper , before dredging the chicken in the flour.
• Dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off excess. Reserve any of the remaining flour for making the rue later.
• Heat a deep ovenproof pot like a Dutch oven, over medium heat. Once the pot is hot, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Brown the chicken on both sides and transfer to a plate and set aside. *NOTE: In order to use less oil in browning, place the lid over the pan while the chicken is browning. This will help to trap some of the steam and keep things moist without the addition of more oil. But keep a watchful eye that your chicken doesn't burn.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1 teaspoon of oil, the mushrooms (if using) and a pinch of salt to season. Place the lid on the pot to help cook the mushrooms without the need for additional oil. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Once the mushrooms have begun to brown, add the last teaspoon of oil, carrots, celery and onion. Sweat the vegetables for 5 minutes, again covering the pot with a lid.
• Deglaze the pan with the brandy and simmer until it is nearly evaporated.
• Stir in the reserved flour to coat the vegetables. Cook and stir for one to two minutes. The vegetable will look pasty.
• While stirring, slowly add the broth. As the broth is added to the pot, it will combine with the floured vegetables and begin to make a gravy.
• Once all of the broth has been added mix in the potatoes.
• Cover the pot and place in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile blend all the dry ingredients for the dumplings in a mixing bowl.
• In a microwaveable container, heat the milk and butter just until the butter melts, about 25 seconds on high power.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together just until combined. If the mixture seems too dry, add an additional teaspoon of milk.
• Remove the pot from the oven and return all of the chicken, lemon juice, thyme and sage to the pot. Stir briefly to incorporate the ingredients.
• Using a tablespoon gently scoop out 4 dumplings of equal portion (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each). Place the balls of dough on the surface of the gravy.
• Cover and place the pot back into the oven for another 20 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the oven and serve.
• Garnish with minced parsley. (Optional)

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For the chicken: Heat a large braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 4 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and add to the pan. Cook until golden, turning once, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, the onion, celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently and scraping up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables are coated in fat and slightly golden, about 3 minutes. Add the flour and stir until the vegetables are coated. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock, bay leaf and browned chicken, along with any chicken juices at the bottom of the plate. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover and simmer until the chicken is tender and cooked through, about 45 minutes.
• For the dumplings: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Using a fork, cut the shortening into the flour mixture. Slowly add the buttermilk, gently mixing to incorporate. Fold in the chives.
• Use 2 forks to shred the chicken. When the chicken is ready, use 2 spoons sprayed with cooking spray if desired to add scoops of dumpling dough over the top of the stew, about 1 tablespoon each. Cover and simmer until the dumplings double in size, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the bay leaf and garnish with parsley.

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Combine chicken, celery, carrots, onion, chicken broth, parsley, chicken bouillon granules, salt and pepper in a large pan or dutch oven; add enough water to cover chicken.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 2 hours or until chicken is done.
• Remove chicken and let stand until cool enough to handle.
• Remove skin from chicken and tear meat away from bones.
• Return meat to soup; discard skin and bones.
• Add more salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
• Return soup to a simmer.
• In a mixing bowl, combine dumpling ingredients and mix well to form a stiff dough.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls into simmering soup.
• Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Serve immediately.
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings.
• *SOUTHERN STYLE DUMPLINGS (heavier and chewier) 2 cups flour, 1 cup chicken broth, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 beaten eggs. Combine flour, broth, baking powder and eggs; mix well to form a stiff batter. Drop by tablespoonfuls into simmering soup. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

SUNNY'S EASY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, melt 1/4 cup butter and lightly saute the onions and garlic, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken, water, and stock, making sure liquid covers meat. Tie the thyme sprigs, parsley stems, and sage sprigs together and add to the pot along with the peppercorns, and celery. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the chicken until it is "fall of the bone" tender, about 30 minutes, skimming off scum as it simmers. Remove the chicken from the pot to a cutting board and let cool. Remove the herb bundle and the celery and discard. Reserve the stock. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, pull it from bones and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups of flour with the remaining chopped herbs and the tablespoon of salt. Make a well in the middle and pour 1 cup of the reserved chicken stock, including fat, into the well. Using a fork, slowly stir the stock into the flour. Repeat, adding more flour and/or stock until a soft, doughy consistency is reached. Add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if it gets too sticky. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice the dough into 2-inch squares, then cut the squares in half on the diagonal into triangles.
• Return the stock to a simmer and slowly add the dumplings, allowing some excess flour to remain on the dumplings to increase the body of the broth. Be careful not to let the dumplings touch as they are added to the pot. Cook until the dumplings rise to the surface. If the broth does not thicken to your liking, mix together 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon flour in a small bowl with a fork. Slowly add the mixture into the broth to help thicken the soup. Stir in the reserved chicken and ladle into serving bowls.

EASY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Bring first 7 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes or until chicken is tender.
• Remove chicken, reserving broth in Dutch oven.
• Let chicken and broth cool.
• Skin, bone and cut chicken into bite-size pieces; set aside.
• Skim fat from broth.
• Add soup to broth; bring to a boil.
• Cut tortillas into 2x1 inch strips.
• Add strips to briskly boiling broth.
• Add chicken, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent dumplings from sticking.
• Remove from heat; Serve.