Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:

For the Chicken and Broth:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cut into pieces
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups of water or chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup milk

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, place the chicken pieces, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and water or chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
2. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred the chicken meat and set it aside.
3. While the chicken is cooling, prepare the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the milk and stir until a soft dough forms.
4. On a floured surface, roll out the dumpling dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut the dough into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference.
5. Return the shredded chicken to the pot with the simmering broth. Gently drop the dumplings into the pot. Cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and have puffed up.
6. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
7. Serve your old-fashioned chicken and dumplings hot, with a ladleful of chicken, dumplings, and plenty of the flavorful broth.=