Farmhouse Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate country comfort food. So hearty and easy it will make Granny proud!

Yields

6 servings

Ingredients

SOUP

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed

• 1 cup diced yellow onion

• 1 cup sliced carrot

• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 6 cups chicken broth

• ½ cup heavy cream

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 ½ cups frozen peas

• 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

Dumplings

• 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

• 1/2 c. yellow cornmeal

• 1 tbsp. (heaping) baking powder

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

• 1 1/2 c. half-and-half

• 2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley (optional) 

• Salt as needed

Directions

1. In a 6-quart Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on both sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.

2. Add carrot and onion and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes.

3. Add the garlic and stir for another minute, until fragrant.

4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter and flour, stirring constantly for 3 minutes to prevent lumps from forming.

5. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices back to the pot and stir to coat in the roux.

6. Add the chicken broth, cream, thyme, and bay leaves and bring to a simmer. Once soup is at a simmer, add the frozen peas, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.

7. 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.

8. Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, form the dough into small round balls about 1 inch (2 ½ cm) in diameter (the dough should yield 14-16 dumplings).

9. Place the dough balls in the simmering soup – making sure they don’t touch.

10. Add minced parsley if using. Cover pot halfway and continue to simmer for 15 minutes.

11. Check seasonings; add salt if needed. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

12. Ladle into bowls, giving 1-2 dumplings per serving.

13. Enjoy!