When Thanksgiving rolls around, one recipe always comes to mind: hearty Chicken Flavor Dumplings. These thick, creamy delights embody the essence of comfort food, making them a perfect choice for chilly weather. Their irresistible taste is so memorable that I find myself craving them throughout the year. Today, I’m excited to share my recipe with you.
In my recipe, I’ve found a clever shortcut using canned biscuits as a convenient alternative to making dumplings from scratch. The key is to opt for the basic Pillsbury biscuits, avoiding the flaky version. We’re aiming for a hearty texture in our dumplings, and the cheaper, basic biscuits provide just that.
Chicken Flavor Dumplings
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Southern Homestyle Original Biscuits 8 Count
- 2 1/2 cup Whole Milk
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 4 tbsp Flour
- 2 tbsp McKay's Chicken seasoning
- 1/2 Yellow Onion
- Oil
Instructions
- Prior to dicing your onion, heat up your oil in a pan over medium heat. That should only take a couple minutes. Once the oil starts to shimmer and sizzle, carefully toss in diced onions.
- Place your onions in the pan, occasionally mix the onions around for about 10 minutes. By the time they’re done the onions should be soft, golden, and browned in spots. Set to the side.
- Take your pot and start to melt 2 tbsp of butter in the pot. Once the butter is melted and starts to bubble add the flour. Mix the flour and butter until it becomes one soft consistency like a paste.
- Add your milk to the flour paste and whisk until the milk start to boil. Make sure to whisk constantly or frequently to prevent the paste from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning. Once the paste is dissolved in the milk and boiling your ready for the next step (this takes about 5-7min for the sauce to thicken enough before placing the biscuits in the pot).
- Add your cooked onions to the pot
- Take your can of Biscuits and cut each biscuit into thirds and place in the pot of boiling milk. Reduce the heat to medium, cooking for about 5min, and allow to simmer for an additional 10 min.
- Occasionally stir biscuits to make sure they cook evenly. After the above mentioned 15 min take a taste and once the biscuit is fully cooked go ahead and take the pot off the burner. You can serve immediately or let sit for 30 to 60 minutes allowing the sauce to thicken up. This will also allow the biscuit time to firm up after cooking. Enjoy!
Video
As you prepare your Chicken Flavor Dumplings, feel free to customize their size according to your preference, whether you prefer them small or large. But once you’ve made your batch, you might wonder what to serve alongside these comforting dumplings. Having been a dumpling enthusiast for years, I have some favorite side dishes that perfectly complement this hearty meal.
- Green Salad: A crisp, fresh green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette dressing offers a delightful contrast to the rich flavors of the dumplings. For a twist, consider preparing a Lentil and Arugula salad.
- Steamed Vegetables: Adding a side of steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or green beans, not only boosts the nutritional value of the meal but also provides vibrant colors and tender-crisp textures that balance out the dish.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts or butternut squash enhances their natural sweetness and adds a caramelized flavor that pairs wonderfully with the dumplings. Crispy air-fried Brussels sprouts are a personal favorite of mine.
- Cornbread: A classic choice, cornbread complements the savory flavors of the dumplings with its slightly sweet and crumbly texture, adding an extra layer of comfort to the meal.
- Extra Biscuits: Since dumplings are already the star of the show, serving additional biscuits on the side is a delightful option. They can be used to soak up the flavorful broth or enjoyed separately.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes topped with the gravy from the dumplings create a luxurious side dish. The creamy texture and mild flavor of the potatoes perfectly complement the rich sauce of the dumplings. Mac and cheese or even a hashbrown casserole is a great side dish, the comfort the food the better the pairing.
- Rice or Quinoa: For those who prefer a grain-based side, steamed rice or quinoa are excellent choices. They help soak up the sauce and provide a bit of variety to the meal.
With these delectable side dishes, your Chicken Flavor Dumplings feast is sure to be a memorable and satisfying culinary experience for you and your loved ones.