Ingredients for Chicken Stew:
– 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into pieces
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 carrots, diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 6 cups chicken broth
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
– Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Ingredients for Dumplings:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
– 3/4 cup milk
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the pot and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
4. Pour in the chicken broth, and add the bay leaves and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred the meat using two forks. Discard the bones and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
6. If using frozen peas, add them to the pot and cook for a few minutes until heated through. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Keep the stew simmering while you prepare the dumplings.
Instructions for Dumplings:
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add the milk to the flour mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the simmering chicken stew, making sure to space them evenly.
5. Cover the pot with a lid and let the dumplings steam for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and fluffy.
6. Once the dumplings are cooked, remove the lid and gently stir the stew to combine the dumplings with the chicken and vegetables.
7. Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Enjoy your comforting and delicious chicken and dumplings!
