Chicken & Dumplings

Today it's time to get back to comfort foods.  With winter fast on our heels it's time to stock up on those perfect recipes for cold evenings.  I got this recipe from a friend many, many years ago.  It came to me without measurements.  I tried, the last time I made it, to figure out some measurements here and there but in some parts you'll just have to trust your instincts and wing it.  I know you'll have no problem since I haven't had any measurements, and remember, I'm just a wannabe cook.  To begin this recipe you add flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder to a large ziploc bag.  This is one of those trust your instincts parts.  Add the chicken thighs and shake to coat.  I don't have a picture of this but I do have a picture of chicken thighs and vegetables.  Oh, and I accidentally bought boneless thighs.  I had no idea they even sold those.  I wouldn't do that again.  I think the thighs with bones turn out better.

The chicken is added to oil in a pan and browned.  Not fully cooked chicken just doesn't make for a pretty picture.

While the chicken is browning, the vegetables are cut into bite size pieces and sauteed (That's spelled correctly.  I looked it up.) in oil.  

Once the vegetables are tender-crisp, broth is added along with some extra broth mixed with flour for thickening.  At this point you also add baby carrots and seasonings.  I did attempt to find a measurement for these seasonings.  Give my measurements a try and then adjust for your taste.  I like the gravy to be very aromatic and well seasoned.  Once you have a nice gravy, the chicken is added and the mixture is cooked for 10 minutes.

The final step is adding the dumplings and letting it cook until they are done.  This is making me hungry just looking at this.  I think I will be making it again real soon.

This past weekend I took our oldest daughter to look at her first college.  See the cute little girl on the right in the picture below?

She doesn't own any more Tigger sweatshirts.  She has makeup and curling irons.  Boy did time fly!  She has some big decisions to make.  Maybe you also have some big decisions to make in your life.  I shared a couple verses with her last month and I'll share them here, for you too.


Psalm 138:8  "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me."
Psalm 142:3 "When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path"


Hope those bring encouragement to you if you needed to hear them today.  Enjoy this beautiful day!


Chicken & Dumplings


1 green pepper
3-4 stalks celery
2 large onions
chicken thighs (approximately 10)
baby carrots
3 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth
2 c. Bisquick or preferred baking mix
2/3 c. milk
oil
garlic powder
basil
oregano
flour, salt, pepper


Mix flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a ziploc bag.  Add the thighs and shake to coat.  Add to oil in a pan and cook both sides until just browned.  


Cut green pepper, celery and onions into bite sized pieces.  Saute in oil in dutch oven until tender-crisp.   Add 3 cans chicken broth to vegetables.  Mix 2-3 Tbsp. flour with some broth for thickening and add to broth.  Add 2 t. basil, 2 t. oregano, 1.5 t. garlic powder and baby carrots to broth.  Cook until a nice gravy consistency.  Adding more flour if necessary.  Add chicken and cook 10 minutes on medium heat, making sure mixture is bubbling.  Stir occasionally to prevent chicken from sticking to bottom of pan.  


Make the dumplings by mixing 2 c. Bisquick with garlic powder and basil to taste, adding 2/3 c. milk and stirring until a soft dough is formed.  Drop dough balls on top of veggie/chicken mix and cook 10 minutes uncovered, then 10 minutes covered.