How to Make Chicken Dumplings

There are two schools of thought when it comes to making chicken dumplings: One group believes that dumplings are a type of biscuit steamed on top of the chicken stew; while the other feels that rolled dumplings, similar to thick noodles, are what make a dish of chicken and dumplings. For the sake of argument and so that both methods can be tried, recipes for both are included below.

Things You'll Need

• For Biscuit type dumplings
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking power
• 2 tbsp. lard or cooking oil
• ¼ cup milk
• ¼ tsp. salt
• Mixing bowl
• Fork and large spoon
• Chicken stew or soup
• For Rolled Type Dumplings
• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup milk or water
• 2 tbsp. melted lard or cooking oil
• Rolling Pin
• Pizza cutter or sharp knife

Instructions

For Biscuit type dumplings

1. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add a teaspoon of crushed basil or thyme if desired.

2. Add milk and oil and stir with a fork until combined.

3. Drop by heaping spoonfuls into boiling chicken stock.

4. Cover and simmer until an inserted toothpick into the dumplings comes out clean, usually 11 to 15 minutes.

For Rolled Type Dumplings

1. Make a well in the center of the flour in a bowl. Break the egg into the center of the well and use a fork to scramble the white and yolk.

2. Add the melted lard and milk and stir until a heavy dough-like mixture is achieved.

3. Break off a section of the dough. Use the rolling pin to roll the dough out on a floured board to approximately 1/8 to 1/4" inch thickness.

4. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to make long, wide strips of noodle like dumplings.

5. Drop the dumplings one by one into the prepared chicken stew. Cover the pot and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until tender.

Tips & Warnings

• Chicken soup or stew is simple to make. Boil the chicken, along with the vegetables and spices of your choice for an hour or until chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and debone. The stew is now ready for dumplings.

• Chicken and dumplings, along with a salad makes a great winter meal.

• You can add canned or boxed chicken stock to your soup or stew for a more intense chicken taste.