Go Back
homemade chicken and dumplings

Chicken & Dumplings

Lemont Johnson
Lemont Johnson's grandma Every Boyd's old fashioned chicken and dumplings recipe
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Southern

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small whole chicken
  • 2 qts water
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves whole
  • 1 celary stalk
  • 2 ½ medium onions
  • 1 bell pepper

For the dumplings:

  • 4 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 eggs beaten
  • ¼ cup ice water
  • 2 qts warm water
  • 2 tbsp chicken base

Instructions
 

  • Wash chicken and cut into quarters; cover with 2 quarts of water in a large stock pot. Add salt, pepper, and garlic.
  • Cut celery stalk and onions in half. Seed bell pepper and cut into strips, and add vegetables to the pot. Bring water to a boil and cook for 20-30 minutes.
  • Remove chicken, vegetables, and garlic from the pot, allow to cool, and remove chicken from its bones.

For the dumplings:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour and all seasonings. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour beaten eggs into the well. Fold eggs into flour to create a lumpy mixture.
  •  Incorporate ice water into mixture to slowly form a dough; shape into a ball.
  • When the dough becomes slightly sticky, flour your work surface and fold out the dough. Dust the top of dough with flour and roll it out until the dough is 1/4-inch thick. Cut dough into 1-inch wide strips at a diagonal angle. Cut across again at the opposite diagonal angle to create 1-inch squares.

To assemble:

  • Bring the chicken broth back to a boil. Add 2 additional quarts of warm water as well as the chicken base.
  • Once at a rolling boil, drop dumplings in a few at a time, stirring constantly, until they are all added and begin to float to the top. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until gravy forms.
  • Add chicken and allow to cook for a few more minutes; remove from heat.
  • Serve with your favorite side salad or green vegetable and a large glass of iced tea.

Notes

“This chicken and dumplings recipe is a family staple. It first started with my grandma Ever Boyd, who raised me. Back in the ’60s, she would prepare them in the winter with a buttered cornbread muffin and a glass of sweet tea – and maybe a little taste of cobbler for dessert. This recipe is tender and full of chicken flavor. I made it for my family all the time when they were growing up. It was also a staple for our restaurant back when we were open a few years ago. You just can’t beat a good old bowl of homemade chicken and dumplings during this time. Here is my recipe, and I hope you find as much love cooking it as we do eating it.” – Lemont Johnson
Keyword chicken and dumplings, chicken and dumplings recipe, comfort food, Family Recipe, homemade dumplings, old fashioned chicken and dumplings, southern chicken and dumplings