Brenda Gantt's Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Discover a comforting Brenda Gantt Chicken and Dumplings recipe - a Southern classic! Perfectly tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and timeless flavors.

Brenda Gantt Chicken and Dumplings

• Publisher: Crisp Recipe
• Cuisine: American
• Category: Southern Comfort Food
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Servings: 4
• Calories: 300 calories

Brenda Gantt Chicken and Dumplings is a classic Southern comfort food dish that features tender chicken cooked in a flavorful broth with soft, pillowy dumplings. It's a cherished recipe created by Brenda Gantt, a renowned Southern cook, and often reflects the heartwarming and traditional flavors of Southern cuisine.

The dish typically involves cooking chicken (often a whole chicken or chicken pieces) in a pot with onions, garlic, and other seasonings until the chicken is tender and the broth is flavorful. Then, dumplings made from a simple dough mixture of flour, baking powder, milk or buttermilk, and sometimes other ingredients, are dropped into the simmering broth. These dumplings cook and expand, soaking up the delicious flavors of the broth.

The result is a comforting and hearty dish that combines the savory taste of chicken with the soft and satisfying texture of dumplings. Brenda Gantt's version of Chicken and Dumplings is likely celebrated for its authenticity and the way it captures the essence of Southern cooking.

Recipe

Embark on a journey through the heart of Southern comfort as we delve into the beloved Brenda Gantt Chicken and Dumplings recipe. Get ready to savor the warmth, flavor, and tradition that define this iconic dish.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Method Instructions

1. In a large pot, bring the chicken pieces and chicken broth to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked and tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
2. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, buttermilk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, dried thyme, dried sage, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until a dough forms.
3. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into small squares or strips.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred the meat using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
5. Bring the chicken and broth back to a gentle simmer. Drop the dumplings into the simmering broth, a few at a time, stirring gently to avoid sticking.
6. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15-20 minutes until they are cooked through and no longer doughy in the center.
7. Stir in the butter and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Recipe Video

Brenda Gantt Chicken And Dumplings

This is a video about Brenda Gantt Chicken And Dumplings.

Video Credits: Cooking with Brenda Gantt

Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 146 reviews.

Recipe Tags: Brenda Gantt Chicken And Dumplings, Brenda Gantt Chicken And Dumplings Recipe, Recipe

Servings

1. Presentation: Ladle the Chicken and Dumplings into individual serving bowls or onto plates. Make sure to get a generous amount of both the tender chicken and the soft dumplings in each serving.
2. Garnish: For a finishing touch, you can garnish the dish with some freshly chopped parsley. This adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the dish.
3. Accompaniments: Serve the Chicken and Dumplings with traditional Southern accompaniments such as cornbread, biscuits, or crusty bread. These sides can be used to sop up the flavorful broth and enhance the overall dining experience.
4. Vegetables: You can also consider serving a side of steamed or roasted vegetables, such as green beans, collard greens, or okra. These vegetables complement the dish and provide a balance of flavors and textures.
5. Family Style or Individually Plated: You can serve the Chicken and Dumplings family-style, placing the pot or a serving dish on the table for everyone to help themselves. Alternatively, you can plate the dish individually in the kitchen and present each plate to your guests.

Tips

• Slow Simmering: Take your time when simmering the chicken. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
• Seasoning: Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed throughout the cooking process.
• Dumpling Consistency: Aim for a soft and slightly sticky consistency when making the dumpling dough. This results in light and fluffy dumplings.
• Dropping Dumplings: Use a spoon to drop dollops of dumpling dough onto the simmering stew. Their rustic appearance adds to the charm.
• Simmer Gently: Once the dumplings are added, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. This ensures even cooking and flavor absorption.
• Accompaniments: Consider serving with sides like cornbread, biscuits, or roasted vegetables. They complement the dish and create a well-rounded meal.
• Family Stories: Share the cherished recipe's story with guests. Personal anecdotes make the dining experience more special.
• Savor Every Bite: Encourage guests to relish each spoonful, enjoying the tender chicken, flavorful broth, and soft dumplings.

Ingredient Substitutes

• Chicken Thighs: Substitute with bone-in chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks, or a combination of both.
• Onion and Garlic: Use onion powder and garlic powder as a substitute if fresh onions and garlic are unavailable.
• Butter: Margarine or a neutral-flavored oil like canola oil can be used instead of butter.
• Flour: Self-rising flour can be a substitute for all-purpose flour. Adjust leavening agents in the dumplings if needed.
• Buttermilk: Create a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for a few minutes.
• Heavy Cream: Replace with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and melted butter for a lighter alternative.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: If one is unavailable, use double the amount of the other, but note that this might impact dumpling texture.

Remarks

As you take your last savory bite of Brenda Gantt's Chicken and Dumplings, you've not only enjoyed a meal but experienced a cherished tradition. Let this dish be a reminder that in every spoonful, we taste the rich tapestry of Southern heritage and the timeless joy of sharing food with loved ones.