Easy Chicken And Dumplings Without Cream Of Chicken Soup
If you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, chicken and dumplings is a classic dish that never fails to hit the spot. However, many recipes call for cream of chicken soup as a base, which can be a problem for those who are lactose intolerant or simply prefer to avoid dairy products. The good news is that it's possible to make delicious chicken and dumplings without cream of chicken soup. In this article, we'll show you how to do it.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let's get started:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken breasts, chicken broth, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dumplings. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk and melted butter, and stir until a dough forms.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks. Discard the bay leaves. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering broth. Cover and let cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, and serve hot.
Variations
This recipe is quite versatile, and you can adjust it to your liking. Here are some variations you can try:
- Use bone-in chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a richer flavor.
- Add frozen peas or corn to the pot during the last few minutes of cooking for extra color and nutrition.
- Replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier twist.
- Add some chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme, to the dumpling dough for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that doesn't have to be off-limits if you don't want to use cream of chicken soup. With this easy recipe, you can make a delicious and satisfying meal that will warm you up on cold days. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!