You Need to Try This Amazing Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken and dumplings is a dish that involves cooking chicken in water and then using the resulting broth to boil the dumplings. It is known as comfort food that is popular in the South and Midwest.

Many say the dish originated in French Canada during the Great Depression. Others say it is native to the Southern United States and originated during the antebellum era, but either way, it is known for being a mainstay meal during harsh economic times.

In addition to the chicken and dumplings, finely chopped vegetables like carrots and celery are often added to the broth and herbs like dill, parsley, thyme, or chives are added to the dumpling dough.

Across the world, different cultures have their own variations of the chicken and dumpling dish. In China, the wonton is a popular dish that is similar to chicken and dumplings. In Iranian-Jewish culture, the Gondi dish uses matzah ball dumplings in the recipe.

Another variation is the ‘chicken and pastry’ or ‘chicken pastry’ meal. This dish uses flat, wide noodles that are rolled from biscuit dough. It is distinct from traditional chicken and dumplings in that the dough is in the form of flat strips rather than small balls. In the Appalachian region of the United States, this meal is called chicken and slicks while the Pennsylvania Dutch call it bott boi.

Chicken and dumpling soup is another variation that is popular in the Midwest.

Don't forget to check out our other chicken recipes.

Soup Dumplings

The consistency of the prepared chicken and dumpling dish can vary from a thin soup to a very thick casserole. These thicker preparations are made by simmering the dumplings for a longer amount of time and adding flour or another thickening agent directly to the broth.

The thickening agents and added simmer time can cause the chicken to dry and out become tough. Therefore, it is usually removed from the mixture while this is occurring.

While the dumplings continue to cook, the chicken meat is taken out to be separated from the bones. The chicken is then added back in and the meal is ready to be served.

The recipe we have provided does require removing the chicken while the dumplings are cooking. However, there is no thickening agent added to the broth, so the dish has a soup-like consistency when prepared.

It may be interesting for some foodies to find out that there are three classifications of soup dumplings. The first is known as xiaolongbao. Originating in Shanghai, China, this type of dumpling has a thicker skin and not much soup.

The other two dumplings originate in the Jiangsu Province, where a cooking tradition is practiced that is associated with light flavors. The dumplings native to this region are the Nanjing tangbao, which are soup-filled and have a very thin skin.

The third is a crab soup dumpling called the xiehuangtangbao, which is quite large and has a leathery exterior. This type of dumpling is larger than the average fist and a straw is required to get the soup inside.

Other Cuisines to Try

The world is full of so many different cuisines. Many families only ever experience a small tidbit of what the world has to offer, which is truly a shame. By restricting yourself to traditional cooking, you're missing out on so many great culinary experiences.

One often under-appreciated cuisine is that of Norway. Seafood lovers are definitely missing out, as many Norwegian dishes incorporate fish in some sort of way. The cuisine of Norway is certainly different from that of the United States, but there are some dishes that are easily recognizable to the average American family. Consider trying some of Norway's best food!

In terms of Asian cuisine, China and Japan get all the love in the United States. We totally get why; Chinese and Japanese food is absolutely delicious. But you ought to give other Asian food a chance to shine, too. Vietnamese, Thai, and Laotian are all examples of Asian cuisine that you absolutely need to try.

Despite sharing land and history with them, many Americans haven't tried the food of Native Americans. You'd be surprised to learn how many of our own dishes come from or were inspired by Native American dishes. Colonialism meant that many indigenous recipes were cast aside in favor of European dishes. In modern times, many are beginning to appreciate all that these time-tested recipes have to offer.

Chinese Dumplings Recipe

To get a truly authentic taste of China, you will want to try this Great Chinese dumpling recipe, which is guaranteed to make for a moist and juicy dish.

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Bread Bowl Potato Soup and our Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe.

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