Best 3 Chicken Dumplingswest Virginia Style Recipes

In the heart of West Virginia, there lies a culinary treasure that brings warmth and comfort to every table: Chicken and Dumplings. This classic dish, deeply rooted in Appalachian tradition, showcases tender pieces of chicken enveloped in a flavorful broth, topped with fluffy, pillowy dumplings that melt in your mouth. Embark on a delightful journey as we explore two cherished recipes that capture the essence of this beloved West Virginia dish.

The first recipe, a testament to simplicity and tradition, features a comforting chicken broth brimming with tender chicken pieces, carrots, celery, and onions. The dumplings, made with a blend of flour, baking powder, and milk, are gently dropped into the simmering broth, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

The second recipe takes a creative twist, introducing a creamy sauce to the classic chicken and dumplings combination. With the addition of cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese, this version offers a rich and indulgent upgrade, sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you prefer the traditional simplicity or crave a creamy delight, these two recipes will guide you in crafting an unforgettable Chicken and Dumplings experience, leaving you and your loved ones yearning for more.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

THE BEST CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

The Best Chicken and Dumplings image

This is pure comfort food at its finest. Tender chunks of chicken and vegetables come together in a creamy, richly-flavored sauce with pillowy dumplings baked right on top. It's hearty but not too heavy and comes together from scratch in about an hour.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 medium carrots, halved lengthwise, sliced 1/2 inch thick
2 celery stalks, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 medium onion, diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1 cup dry white wine
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 1/2 cups homemade chicken stock (see Cook's Note)
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, plus more for serving
1 cup frozen peas
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup whole milk

Steps:

For the chicken: Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a lid over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the carrots, celery, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables just begin to soften but don't take on any color, 4 to 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer until completely evaporated, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the butter until completely melted. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir until it is completely incorporated and a sandy paste forms. Pour in the milk and stir until the flour has been smoothly incorporated into the liquid.
Add the chicken and the chicken stock to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the parsley and peas and remove from the heat.
For the dumplings: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds black pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter until just combined, then add the milk and stir until a ball of dough forms.
Use a small ice cream scoop or measuring cup to scoop 10 balls of dough into the pot (about 2 tablespoons each). Cover the pot and simmer over medium-low until the dumplings have puffed up and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 15 minutes. Divide among bowls and sprinkle with more parsley.

THE BEST CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS

The Best Chicken & Dumplings image

Homemade chicken and dumplings from scratch harken back to my childhood and chilly days when we devoured those cute little balls of dough swimming in hot, rich broth. It's one of those types of soup you'll want to eat again and again. -Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner Lunch

Time 1h35m

Yield 8 servings (3 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 broiler/fryer chicken (about 3 pounds), cut up
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine or apple cider
2 teaspoons sugar
2 bay leaves
5 whole peppercorns
DUMPLINGS:
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup 2% milk
1 tablespoon butter, melted
SOUP:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
Additional salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

In a shallow bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, salt and pepper. Add chicken, 1 piece at a time, and toss to coat; shake off excess. In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in batches on all sides; remove from pan., Add onion, carrots and celery to same pan; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until onion is tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in 1/4 cup flour until blended. Gradually add stock, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, sugar, bay leaves and peppercorns. Return chicken to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 20-25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear., For dumplings, in a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk milk and melted butter until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened (do not overmix). Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet; set aside., Remove chicken from stockpot; cool slightly. Discard bay leaves and skim fat from soup. Remove skin and bones from chicken and discard. Using 2 forks, coarsely shred meat into 1- to 1-1/2-in. pieces; return to soup. Cook, covered, on high until mixture reaches a simmer., Drop dumplings on top of simmering soup, a few at a time. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of dumplings comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering). Gently stir in cream, parsley and thyme. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 470 calories, Fat 24g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 104mg cholesterol, Sodium 892mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Chicken and Dumplings image

Chicken and dumplings is comfort food at its best! Start with a hearty chicken and vegetable stew, then add easy homemade dumplings that cook up light and fluffy.

Provided by Elise Bauer

Categories Dinner Soup Stew Comfort Food Chicken Chicken Stew Dumplings Stew

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

For the chicken and vegetables:
3 to 3 1/2 pounds chicken thighs and breasts, skin-on, bone-in, trimmed of excess fat
2 teaspoons butter or extra virgin olive oil, or a combination of both
Salt
1 quart chicken stock, homemade or store-bought
2 to 3 celery stalks, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1 large onion, roughly chopped (about 2 cups)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup dry sherry or vermouth (optional)
1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional)
3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
Ground black or white pepper
For the dumplings:
2 cups (250 g) cake flour (can sub all-purpose flour, but use cake flour if you have it, your dumplings will be fluffier)
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup minced fresh herb leaves such as parsley, chives, and tarragon (optional)

Steps:

Heat the chicken stock: Add the chicken stock to a medium pot and bring it up to a gentle simmer.
Poach the chicken in the stock: Once the chicken pieces are browned on all sides, remove them from the large pot, and turn off the heat. Remove and discard the skin from the chicken pieces and put the chicken pieces into the pot of simmering stock. Poach the chicken in the stock until cooked through, about 20 minutes or so. Remove the chicken pieces and set on a tray to cool for a few minutes. When the chicken pieces are cool to touch, pull the meat off the bones and cut into 2-inch chunks. Set aside.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 638 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 247 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 60 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 823 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 24 g, ServingSize Serves 6 to 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh, free-range chicken, organic vegetables, and homemade broth will make a big difference.
Don't overcook the dumplings. They should be cooked through but still light and fluffy.
Serve the chicken and dumplings immediately after they are cooked. They are best when fresh and hot. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Garnish the chicken and dumplings with fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, or dill, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
You can add a variety of vegetables to the chicken and dumplings, such as carrots, celery, onions, or peas.
To make the dumplings extra fluffy, use self-rising flour.

Conclusion:

Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. This West Virginia-style recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. The dumplings are light and fluffy, and the chicken is tender and juicy. The broth is flavorful and full of vegetables. This chicken and dumplings recipe is sure to become a family favorite.