Chicken and dumplings is a simple, one-dish comfort food that is delicious and hearty. Traditionally southern, the meal has become popular throughout the United States; there are also variations of the dish found around the world. Whether you choose to cook from scratch or you prefer to have a few shortcuts to complete your meal faster, there are many recipes available for this tasty meal that will fit your needs.
Opinions abound on how to create the ultimate chicken and dumplings meal – should I use the whole chicken or dark meat only? Are frozen dumplings ok? Do I need to roll them out individually or can I just drop them in by the spoonful? None of these questions indicate the right or wrong way to make the dish. Figure out which recipe works best for you and using that recipe as a base, experiment with variations until you have all the elements necessary to create a family favorite.
As mentioned earlier, chicken and dumplings is a classic southern meal. Eclectic Recipes offers a traditional Southern Chicken and Dumplings dish, and provides some explanation on the ingredients and methods used. Another option is the Chicken and Dumplings recipe provided by Simply Recipes. These are definitely "made from scratch" recipes, but worth the time and effort invested.
If you are short on time, consider a recipe that incorporates items that are already prepared, or that uses a slow-cooker. The Quick and Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe from AllRecipes.com incorporates biscuit mix and boasts a five-minute prep time. The Pillsbury Quick Chicken and Dumplings recipe has only two ingredients (three if you choose to include the parsley), and only requires ten minutes of prep time. This recipe uses a chicken pot pie style soup and refrigerated buttermilk biscuits. Ann's Dumplings has the E-Z Chicken 'n Dumplings recipe that uses frozen dumpling strips and canned cooked chicken. If you like using your slow cooker, consider the Slow-Cooker Chicken & Dumplings dish by Campbell's Kitchen. This recipe uses mostly fresh ingredients, but also incorporates condensed cream of chicken soup.
If you are already a fan of chicken and dumplings, perhaps you'd like to try some international variations. There's the French-Canadian Chicken Stew, which has many of the same ingredients, including the dumplings. It is said that the American dish originated with this one, during the Great Depression. Another international variation is Chinese Chicken Wonton Soup. Wontons are dumplings that are typically filled with finely chopped vegetables or minced meat. There is also the central European Jewish Chicken Soup with Matzah Balls. Matzah Balls are dumplings made from matzah meal and are used in a variety of recipes.
Whether you decide to prepare your chicken and dumplings from scratch or through some convenient shortcuts, and whether you decide to go with a traditional southern recipe or a French Canadian one, you are sure to enjoy the comfort, warmth and deliciousness of this dish.