Chef Reveals His Recipe For Chicken And Dumplings That Mirror The Homely Taste

Renowned chef Cook fondly reminisces about his childhood filled with the comforting flavors of home-cooked meals. Growing up in South Louisiana, his family had a cherished tradition of gathering around the dinner table every evening at 6 p.m. One beloved dish that brought them all together was chicken and dumplings, a timeless classic. It was this beloved recipe that inspired Cook when he decided to embark on his culinary journey and open his own restaurant. Before he even had a name or location in mind, he knew that chicken and dumplings had to have a special place on his menu.

As it turns out, Cook was not alone in his love for this soul-warming dish. The joy that fills his heart is immeasurable when a guest walks into his restaurant and orders chicken and dumplings, feeling the comforting embrace of home and nostalgia. Hearing customers share their own memories associated with this dish brings Cook immense happiness and reinforces his belief that this recipe is a treasured heirloom that should be passed down through generations.

Cook maintains the essence of his mother’s original recipe, which he continues to make at least once a month, especially when someone in the family is feeling under the weather. However, he has made a few tweaks over the years. His wife, who has a fondness for roasted carrots, suggested adding them to the dish, and it turned out to be a delightful modification that added an extra layer of flavor. Cook passionately shares his belief that while it is important to respect traditions, home cooks should also feel empowered to tweak recipes and make them their own.

In the spirit of carrying forward the tradition of creating lasting family food memories, Cook encourages others to use his recipes as a loose guideline and discover their own preferences along the way. He emphasizes the significance of making these dishes uniquely theirs.

For those ready to embark on the culinary adventure of cooking chicken and dumplings, here is Cook’s extraordinary recipe:

Serves 4 to 6

To prepare the dish, begin by melting the butter in a large cast-iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, allowing them to soften for approximately 5 minutes. Next, add tomato paste, stirring well until it caramelizes, which usually takes around 3 to 4 minutes. Then, incorporate flour into the mixture, ensuring all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Stir in minced garlic and let it cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Proceed by adding chicken stock and bay leaves, bringing it to a boil.

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and introduce the chicken, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Stir the sauce and allow it to simmer while you prepare the dumplings.

To create the dumplings, gather a large bowl and combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Gradually add buttermilk while whisking the ingredients, continuing until the mixture reaches a biscuit-like consistency – this usually takes around 10 minutes.

Using a tablespoon, carefully drop the dumpling dough directly into the simmering sauce. Arrange the dumplings evenly throughout the pot to prevent them from clumping together. Gently press them down until they are slightly submerged in the sauce.

Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low, allowing the sauce to simmer as the dumplings cook. After approximately 15 minutes, retrieve one dumpling and cut it in half. If the texture is uniformly opaque all the way through, the dumplings are done. If the center is still doughy, cook the remaining dumplings for an additional 3 minutes. Be mindful not to overcook them, as they may fall apart.

Once the cooking is complete, strain the stock, discarding any solids. The dish can be preserved by freezing it in an airtight container for up to 2 months, or it can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.