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1
In a large stock pot, bring the water to a boil.
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2
Add the chicken, 1 teaspoon of the salt, onion, celery, garlic powder, bay leaf, coriander and stock concentrate.
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3
Once it boils, turn the heat down and allow this to simmer for 2 hours, covered.
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4
You want it to reduce the liquid by roughly one third.
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5
After the chicken has cooked and the liquid has reduced, skim off any scum that is floating on the surface.
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6
Remove the chicken with tongs and set aside.
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7
Strain the stock into a bowl so that all the vegetables are removed.
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8
Discard the vegetables or use them for another purpose.
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9
You should have about 6 cups of stock.
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Put it back into the stock pot.
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11
Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the pepper, and the lemon juice.
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12
Let it reheat to a simmer over medium heat while preparing the dumplings.
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13
For the dumpling dough, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and milk until smooth.
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14
Allow the dough to rest for several minutes.
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15
It will be a little gooey.
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16
Roll it out on a well-floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick.
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If needed, sprinkle the top of the dough with a bit of flour to keep the rolling pin from sticking.
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18
Cut the dough into 1/2 inch cubes (I find that a pizza cutter makes this job quick and easy).
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19
Do not cut them any larger than this or you will end up with dumplings that are undercooked in the middle but tough on the outside.
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Drop the dumplings into the simmering stock.
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It will be normal for them to swell up a bit, but they will return to their original size as they dissolve.
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22
Let the dumplings simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until the stock becomes a creamy gravy consistency, stirring often.
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23
While the dumplings are cooking, cut or pull your chicken into bite-sized pieces.
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24
Put the chicken in with the dumplings for the last ten minutes of the dumpling cooking time to reheat the chicken and infuse it with the flavor of the broth.
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25
Continue to cook until the desired gravy consistency has been reached.
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26
We prefer chicken and dumplings more soup-like in our household, but if youd rather have a thicker gravy, add a bit of cornstarch mixed with water to the bubbling broth to thicken.
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27
My favorite side to serve with this meal is steamed baby carrots with a butter, salt, pepper and brown sugar glaze.
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28
Its all serious down-home goodness!
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Enjoy.