Dolly Parton's Chicken & Dumplings

Original cookbook page 227

Dolly Parton's signature dish - homemade chicken and dumplings with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a rich homemade broth. Recipe by Lisa Kaminski from Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 3-pound stewing hen (or a whole chicken)
• 2 quarts water
• 1 onion, peeled and left whole
• ¼ cup celery leaves, chopped
• 2½ teaspoons salt, divided
• ¾ teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup milk (whole milk or buttermilk)
• 3 tablespoons shortening
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

1. Add two quarts of water to a Dutch oven (5-quart or larger). Add 2 teaspoons salt and the chicken. Cover and bring to a boil.
2. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Add pepper, celery leaves, and the whole peeled onion. Cover and simmer until chicken starts to come away from the bone, about 40 minutes to 1 hour.
3. When chicken is tender, turn off heat and remove chicken to cool. Strain the broth through a mesh sieve. Remove meat from bones, discarding bones and skin. Cut larger pieces into 1-inch pieces.
4. Return strained broth to Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, make dumpling dough: Whisk together flour, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and baking soda.
5. Cut shortening into flour mixture until in pea-sized pieces. Stir in milk until dough comes together.
6. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes. Roll out to ½ inch thick and cut into 1-1½ inch squares.
7. Carefully spoon dumplings into boiling broth. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
8. Stir in cooked chicken and cook until heated through, just a few more minutes. Garnish with cracked pepper and fresh parsley.