Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings (for 8 people)

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 (3-4 pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preparation Time:

20 minutes

Cooking Time:

1 hour 30 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or ovenproof pot.
3. Add chicken pieces and brown on all sides.
4. Remove chicken from pot and set aside.
5. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened about 5 minutes.
6. Stir in thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
7. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
8. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to develop flavor.
9. Return chicken to the broth and bring back to a simmer.
10. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
11. Gradually add milk to flour mixture, whisking until smooth.
12. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter onto the simmering broth.
13. Cover pot and reduce heat to very low.
14. Simmer for 20 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through.
15. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 400
• Fat: 15 grams
• Protein: 25 grams
• Carbohydrates: 50 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Comforting and homey
• Hearty and filling
• Perfect for a cold winter night
• Can be made ahead of time and reheated
• Can be adapted to dietary preferences (e.g., gluten-free flour for dumplings)

User Comments:

• "This is the best chicken and dumplings recipe I've ever tried! The dumplings are so fluffy and the broth is flavorful."
• "I love that this recipe is so easy to make. It's perfect for a busy weeknight dinner."
• "This dish is so comforting and satisfying. It's like a warm hug in a bowl."
• "I've made this recipe several times now and it's always a crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves the dumplings!"
• "I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves classic comfort food."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Make sure the chicken is browned on all sides to add flavor.
• Don't overmix the dumpling batter, as this will result in tough dumplings.
• If you don't have a Dutch oven, you can use a regular pot. Just be sure to cover it with foil to prevent the dumplings from drying out.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.