Lighter Chicken and Dumplings

06

 

My dad makes the world’s best chicken and dumpling soup. He used to make it at his restaurant every Saturday and I loved when a trip home would overlap with a Saturday, because I’d get to eat a big bowlful. I’ve never asked for his recipe, partly because I know it would make like 5 gallons of soup and partly because I know it’s not the best for me.

This recipe is very different from my dad’s, in that it’s not as creamy and it’s not as soup-like (and it’s also not as fatty :). I did not expect this to be the same, and it isn’t, of course. However, this chicken and dumplings is a seriously wonderful meal, especially considering it’s not all that bad for you. It’s comfort food at its finest. I consider a meal pretty great when I’m ready to eat my lunch leftovers by 10:00 the next morning (and even greater when I actually do…oops).

The broth in the stew is absolutely fantastic. Simmering the dark thigh meat and wings together gives it a great depth of flavor (I mean, just look at that color!).  You’d honestly think the broth had been simmering away for hours. The dumplings are light and fluffy and—thanks to a great trick of wrapping the Dutch oven lid in a kitchen towel while they simmered—weren’t soggy or sticky-topped.

The only change I’d make to this the next time around is to increase the stew amount by just a  bit, which I’ve indicated below. I think there are plenty of dumplings for the intended servings, but the stew to dumpling ratio was just a little off for me.

 

 

Lighter Chicken and Dumplings

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6 thoughts on “Lighter Chicken and Dumplings

  1. I made my first stew with dumplings earlier this year and have to say…I’m hooked! Any dish that has you wanting to eat it at all hours of the day must be a keeper recipe…and I love that this is a healthier version of a classic!

  2. this is absolutely heavenly, and exactly what I want to eat for dinner tonight! and with much less guilt, too! Thanks for this awesomeness 🙂

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