Sick, or feeling low? Well, here's a dish I always used to cheer up my boys, or cooked for them if they were sick. Chicken and dumplings is the all-purpose comfort food, and I'll give you a killer recipe below...
Some people make their own dough for the dumplings. If you've got a good homecooked recipe for dumplings, then post it here. Me? I use a couple of cans of ready-made biscuit dough. It's all a matter of taste here, as many things can be done with chicken and dumplings. I use a simple recipe.
Use a pound of chicken strips.
Use two or three carrot sticks chopped into small slices.
Use a tablespoon and a half of chicken bullion seasoning or a fourth of a cup of chicken stock.
Use a can of peas, or use fresh peas if you wish.
Use two cans of biscuit dough.
Use salt and pepper to taste.
Use six to eight cups of water, depending on how creamy and thick you want your chicken and dumplings.
What to do? Well, I start by boiling the pound of chicken for fifteen minutes, or until the chicken is done through.
When the chicken is done remove it from water and begin to chop chicken into small pieces, removing any veins or unwanted pieces.
Add your chopped chicken back into the broth and add the chicken stock or seasoning (hint: if you're using stock, use less water to get a thicker consistency.)
Salt and pepper mix, and add biscuits, tearing small pieces from the dough to make smaller dumplings. Leave in pot on medium and let simmer until biscuits begin to stiffen and cook away. While I'm waiting on the buscuits to stiffen, I usually use that time to chop the carrots into even slices, and to wash the peas--especially if they are canned (please use fresh peas when you can!). Once the biscuits have stiffened, which should take about half an hour, add the carrots and peas. Let the mix simmer on low until the carrots and peas are tender.
Let the chicken and dumplings cool for about ten minutes before serving. The more it cools, the creamier it will become. What you will have is comfort food for the ages! Serve with crackers or whatever side you wish to have with your chicken and dumplings!
Enjoy!