Thursday, November 13, 2008

In the Kitchen with Kat: Chicken and Dumplings

Have I mentioned that I am a procrastinator extraordinaire? Did you know that extraordinaire is one of those rare adjectives that follows its subject? About a month ago, Brandy "tweeted" about wanting a chicken and dumplings recipe. I told her that I had a good one. And it was really easy. And that I should blog about it. And poor Brandy. My proclamation mocked her. Because I did not share my recipe. And she was ready to cook. So...Brandy...this is for you.

When I cook. I only know how to cook for an army. I am not quite sure why. But it's the way I have always cooked. I think that part of it is that leftovers are expected. We usually make a meal of them another night during the week. Michael and my mom will take the leftovers for lunches. When I make grits casserole, the girls will eat it for breakfast.

The other part of it is that I have a husband with the metabolism of Michael Phelps a teenage boy. And the appetite to prove it. And my girls are closing in on his tail. My metabolism clearly got intimidated. And ran away. Never to be seen again. As it clearly does not answer "Polo" to my "Marco."

But I digress. Which is a habit of a procrastinator extraordinaire. Here are the basic ingredients for our recipe. Which I always double. I use more chicken than is pictured. I had just moved on to the first step before I realized that I forgot a photo of the cast and crew.

And that first step is to cut the chicken into 2 inch-ish pieces. I like the specificity of the "ish." Is specificity a word? Stop yelling "procrastinator." Just whisper it. Under your breath. Behind clenched teeth. Brandy.

When cutting up my chicken, I like for it to still be a little frozen. It makes it really easy to slice. Add all your chicken to a deep frying pan. If you like, you could add some chopped celery and onion. But I don't like. So I don't. Cook your chicken until it is no longer pink. And drain. You know. My original recipe does not say to drain it. I would drain it. Really. I would.

Add your flour to the chicken broth. And mix until it is blended.

Then add the broth to the drained chicken in the frying pan.And add the gravy, half-and-half, bay leaf (which I didn't have on my spice rack. Hey. Honey. Add bay leaves to the grocery list please.), and pepper to the pot.Bring to a boil.

Then add the biscuits. Doesn't this look yummy??

Cook it with the lid on for about 10 - 15 minutes until the broth is thickened. And the dumplings are done.

Serve.

Now, there is another option. Besides adding green peas to the mixture. Which I personally think is gross. And that peas contaminate the whole meal. But as long as you are not inviting me for dinner, feel free to add peas. Are your teeth still clenched? You know that you can really aggravate your jaw by doing that? And have some nasty headaches.

My mom is not a fan of the dumpling part of chicken and dumplings. So...you can leave it out. Chicken and dumplings. Hold the dumpling. So, what I do for her is to cook biscuits. And then serve the chicken mixture over that. And if you are carbo loading, you can always serve your chicken and dumplings over a biscuit. Or if you are like me. And are enthralled with watching your hips spread. Chicken and dumplings over a biscuit is just divine.

Here is my easy peasy recipe:

2 packages of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 10 thighs)

1 can of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

4 tbs all purpose flour

2 cups chicken broth

2 (12oz) jars of chicken gravy

2 cups of half-and-half

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp pepper

Cut the chicken into pieces. Cook chicken (you can add celery and/or onions if you like) for about 6-8 minutes - or until no longer pink. Drain.

Blend flour into the chicken broth.

Add broth and remaining ingredients (except the biscuits) - you could also add a cup of frozen peas - and bring to a boil.

Flatten the biscuits and cut each one into 6 pieces. When the chicken mixture is boiling, add the biscuit pieces. And then cover. Reduce the heat to medium-low. And cook 10-15 minutes.

Remove bay leaf and serve.

So...what about you? Do you have a favorite chicken recipe? A favorite comfort food? Does your family eat leftovers? Is chicken and dumplings a Southern thing? What are you procrastinating?

post signature

Theme song: Little Feat - Dixie Chicken

28 comments:

Rhea said...

I use bay leaves in my jambalaya mix. Have you made that yet? I want to hear about how you lost all feeling in your tongue. lol

And, no, no, no, you can't make Chicken n Dumplings like this. You must make your own dumplings by hand from Bisquik. What am I going to do with you?!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kat - I read your blog often (I am debbie's SIL and usually just read, aka lurk, and enjoy your music selections, too - especially today's song, Dixie Chicken - I used to country line dance to that song, great memories there.)
Anyway, I must try that recipe! I have a Rachael Ray chicken and dumplings recipe I make that is quick and easy and oh, so good. Uses broth from carton, fresh veggies, and bisquick for the dumplings. Your chicken recipe looks just as yummy. And what a great way to use the gravy & biscuits that have been in pantry/frig too long. Lately, I have been making Salsa chicken with the boneless skinless chicken thighs, salsa, can of coke, fresh carrots & celery, taco seasoning, lentils and beans - 5 hours in crock pot. -- christine

Carrie said...

Trying to pick a favorite chicken recipe is like asking someone to choose which of their children is their favorite!

I don't think it really qualifies as a "comfort food" or really even as food, but a few swedish fish (or ten or twenty or eleventy billion) make me happy!

Now that I stay at home, we eat leftovers, but mostly because then I don't have to cook as much. heh heh

I don't know if chicken and dumplings is a southern thing, but I agree with rhea--WTH is up with not doing bisquick dumplings? The texture would be all wrong. tsk tsk tsk dear Kat. " )

I am procrastinating cleaning. ALWAYS procrastinating cleaning. I was thinking about giving up my food budget to hire a cleaning lady. I'd lose weight and have a clean house again. It's a win-win situation, dontcha think??

I have company coming over tomorrow at 9 a.m. and it's 1 a.m. here right now and I still have the dishes and the floors to do. Maybe if I just keep writing, the housecleaning fairy will come visit when I fall asleep with my head on the keyboard. Hey, it could happen!!

Carrie said...

Holy crap! You must have reset your numbers and I'm one of your top ten stalkers! Yes!!

MsTypo said...

I also like my chicken slightly frozen for that exact same reason! :) Let's see, favourite chicken recipe - i'm going with something my mother used to make when i was growing up Chicken Veronique served with curried rice. That or a nice classic Thai curry. :D

Twisted Fencepost said...

Your recipe looks a lot simpler than mine. But I'm skeered to change. My family loves my chicken and dumplings. As a matter of fact I was planning to make them this weekend and profile them on my Saucy Sunday post.

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

I love chicken and Dumplings!!! YUM!

Denea said...

Chicken and dumplings = delicious! My Dad used to make huge stock pots full of chicken and dumplings; there were rarely, if ever, any leftovers because the food was so good! My favorite comfort food would have to be grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. As to the leftovers issue, the answer is a resounding yes.

What am I procrastinating? Oh, my... I'm not sure this comment box is long enough for all that!

Unknown said...

I like Chicken... period... I don't think there's a way you coud make it that I wouldn't like it. Except like smothered in liver. i wouldn't like that.

I also like not-quite-normal Thanksgiving dinners...

wonder where I could get me one of those.

Susan said...

My mouth is watering. No peas for me either. I will try this one and my husband will love me (you) for it!

Brandy said...

I finally got the infamous chicken and dumplings recipe!!!! I should hold a party...and serve this.

Easy peasy is an under-statement. After I posted that tweet, I made chicken n dumplings that weekend. Let me tell you it involved boiling a whole chicken, de-boning a whole chicken, mixing the dough (flour, shortening & water girls! Bisquick is a no for this!)rolling the dough and cutting out squares. It was good. Really good.

But. BUT it took soooooooooooo long. I could totally rock this recipe on a weeknight.

For this I forgive you for not "letting" me win the Wicked prize pack.

My favorite chicken recipe right now is this: chicken breasts, spread w/ cream cheese and pour salsa over them. Bake till done.

Elena said...

I don't know that I've ever really had chicken and dumplings. I'm a little afraid of the texture of the dumpling, but I quite like your mom's idea. This does look good and easy. Those are the best recipes. My MIL made us a chicken custard casserole this week that was really good. I'm going to attmept it for one of my TIT-s sometime. I think (THINK) that even you would like it. (Do you like stuffing? That would be the only thing I think you wouldn't like.)

Brian and Staci said...

Mmmmm! I LOVE chicken and dumplins!!! I'm with you on the whole adding of the peas...no thanks! My grandmother would make some every week! I miss that. Maybe we'll try yours this weekend. I am procrastinating writing a new post for my blog and cleaning out some cabinets. ugggghh...I need to stop reading blogs!!!!

lynette355 said...

Ha Ha Ha
You've been tagged!
http://theysayimnuts.blogspot.com/2008/11/like-shot-in-dark.html

Aleta said...

Yep, I think it's a southern thang and I'm all for it. Lol. Favorite comfort food - Greg loves red meat (steaks, roast, etc). I'm more of a chicken/fish person. I'll eat leftovers, as long as it's not seafood (don't trust seafood leftovers..)

Thanks for the recipe - I'm going to give it a try this weekend!

rachel griffith said...

well that's different. {in a good way.}
i wanna try yours.

i use my mawmaw's recipe that has me in the kitchen for a long time.
don't get me wrong, they are perfect, but this ain't the 50's...i don't wanna be in the kitchen ALL day.
haha.

thanks for sharing.

Susie said...

Great recipe:-)

I have a lot of chicken recipes but on that comes to mind is Garlic Chicken Risotto .

My favorite comfort food is chocolate (duh:-).

Our family does eat leftovers. It is part of getting by on a budget:-)

Chicken and dumplings may be a southern thing but we love them in the north too:-)

I am putting off going to the dentist. Who doesn't?

KimmyJ said...

I am soo making this part of next week's dinner rotation!! And I WILL have some biscuits too! Thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

My chicken and dumplings is an all day process. They are divine, but it's work. I like your recipe, I'll have to give it at try.

You know, my favorite chicken dish is just a simply roasted chicken. I like to douse it with Basque marinade.

You bet we eat leftovers. Mainly because I can't cook for just one meal. I make enough in case company stops by. That's what my mom taught me. I think it is a southern thing. She taught me the chicken and dumplings too!

I am procrastinating cleaning my house right now. Can't you tell?

Aubrey said...

OOooH! My mouth is a waterin'!

I'm not much of a cook. You'd never tell it by looking at me. LOL I do love my mama's chicken & dumplins though. I also love her fried chicken!

Britt said...

I love your procrastination .. it makes everything interesting. Cause I don't cook. Much. Just enough to survive, and keep my husband happy. He also has one of those crazy metabolisms.


Boys *shakes head*

Lula! said...

Remind me to try this AFTER I'm finished dealing with my poop issues. The scope is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving.

Girl, I just wrote that on your blog. Sorry.

Debbie said...

Kat...I giggled the whole way through this post...THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH...oh how I love thee...and how about my Sister in law Christine de-lurking over here!!! She is my husband's sister...anyway, this recipe looks yummy and I am with you on the pea thing..I like peas but that would ruin this meal. As for leftovers, my family loves them. Thank goodness! I know people who have husbands that refuse leftovers. I am procrastinating lots of things right now...like going to sleep...but I had to check in on a couple of my peeps!

Heather said...

Oh how I do love me some chicken and dumplings. *sigh* I really do.

sassy stephanie said...

No friggin way! We totally cook the same way. I'm totally an "ish" person.

My new fave, like, make it twice a week lately dish: chicken n dumplings. Only, I'm a TOTAL Betty Crocker, rolling the dough, and sometimes, when the moon and stars are aligned just right with the sun, I even make my own stock. GASP!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh this looks warm, cozy and YUMMY!

jennifersusan said...

I love chicken and dumplings! My recipe is way different than yours. I toss frozen chicken breasts into a pot and add chicken stock and when it's cooked I pull it apart and then drop in the cut bisquits. That's all. It usually thickens up on it's own and lasts for days, so I have yummy left overs. :)

Nicole said...

It looks really yummy. Thanks for sharing.