Chicken and Dumplings Like Cracker Barrel's

Ingredients

• 1 (3-6 lb)  frying chickens (any whole chicken will do)

• 2 quarts water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper (I use coarse ground and double it)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons shortening (I use Crisco sticks)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (I add 1 tbsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk let sit 5 minutes, then measure 3/4 cup)

Directions

1. 1

   Place chicken in a Dutch oven. Add water and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil.

2. 2

   Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1 hour or until tender (should almost fall off bone).

3. 3

   Remove the chicken from the broth and cool. Bone the chicken and cut meat into bite-sized pieces.

4. 4

   Bring the broth to a boil and add pepper.

5. 5

   Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening. Add the buttermilk, stirring with a fork until moistened.

6. 6

   Knead the dough 4 to 5 times (never done), and pat to 1/2-inch pieces and drop into boiling broth (I do not pat it out, just pinch off pieces). Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. 7

   Stir in the chicken and serve. I make it in the pressure cooker, much quicker and easier.

8. 8

   I pressure it for only 30 minutes.

9. 9

   It can also be done in the crockpot with 3-4 cups water but someone has that book so at this time I cannot give cooking times.

10. 10

    Good Luck! Hope you enjoy.