Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings

There's nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade chicken and dumplings to bring comfort on a chilly day. This Southern-style recipe features tender shredded chicken in a rich, creamy broth with fluffy cornmeal drop dumplings that will remind you of Sunday dinners at grandma's house.

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Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (cut up fryer)
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup finely diced carrots
• 1/2 cup finely diced celery
• 1 whole medium onion, finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

For the Dumplings:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon (heaping) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1-1/2 cups half-and-half
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley (optional)
• Salt as needed

Essential Tools

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• Dutch Oven or Large Heavy Pot
• Mixing Bowls
• Knife & Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Ladle

Instructions

1. Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then dredge both sides in flour.
2. Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat. In two batches, brown chicken on both sides and remove to a clean plate.
3. In the same pot, add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes over medium-low heat. Stir in ground thyme and turmeric, then pour in chicken broth and apple cider. Stir to combine, then add browned chicken. Cover pot and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. While chicken is simmering, make the dough for the dumplings: sift together all dry ingredients, then add half-and-half, stirring gently to combine. Set aside.
5. Remove chicken from pot and set aside on a plate. Use two forks to remove chicken from the bone. Shred, then add chicken to the pot. Pour heavy cream into the pot and stir to combine.
6. Drop tablespoons of dumpling dough into the simmering pot. Add minced parsley if using. Cover pot halfway and continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Check seasonings; add salt if needed. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for Perfect Dumplings

The key to fluffy dumplings is not overmixing the batter - stir just until combined. The cornmeal adds a wonderful texture and subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory broth. Don't skip the resting time at the end; it allows the dumplings to finish cooking through and the flavors to meld together beautifully.

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