Weekly Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

This recipe comes from our show "Twice Baked" with the Kelly Twins!

Ingredients:
4 1/2lbs. of chicken; preferably a roaster
1 lg. onion
2 lg. carrots
2 ribs celery
1 tsp. salt; or to taste
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. thyme; dried
1/4 c. parsley; minced
2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
2 Tbs. butter

DUMPLINGS:
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. baking powder
2 Tbs. parsley; minced
1/4 tsp. thyme; dried
1/2 c. shortening
3/4 c. half and half

Instructions:
Peel carrots and cut into 1" chunks along with celery; set aside.  Dice onions.  Put the chicken, broth, thyme and bay leaves in a 6 qt. heavy bottomed soup pot with a tight-fitting lid. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer gently, partially covered, for 30 minutes, or till done. 

Transfer the chicken halves to a platter.  Let stand until cool enough to handle. Strain the cooking liquid into a large glass measure and spoon off the fat from the surface. 

Melt the butter in the pot.  Add the onion, celery and carrots. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme & cook for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add 6 cups of the reserved chicken cooking liquid and the pepper.  Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, to make a smooth, thin sauce.  Simmer over low heat, partially covered until the vegetables are tender but still firm. 

Meanwhile, discard the chicken skin and bones.  Tear the meat into bite-size pieces and add to the pot.  Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to simmer. 

DUMPLINGS:
Mix the flour, baking powder, herbs and salt in a large bowl.  Using your fingers, work in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly.  Make a well in the center and pour in the half & half.  Stir quickly with a fork until the ingredients are just mixed.  Using a tablespoon, drop the batter into the broth to make 16 small dumplings, leaving space between them.  Cover the casserole and simmer without disturbing, for 10-12 minutes, but check them after 7 minutes and watch closely!  Spoon the chicken and dumplings into bowls and serve at once.

For more recipes by the Kelly Twins, watch "Twice Baked" every Saturday at 

9:30am ET on BlueHighways TV