I am a new buttermilk lover. In the past, it wasn’t something I liked having on hand – but now I find myself keeping it around for a variety of goodies. it is especially great in these chicken and dumplings.
This time of year makes me really crave thick, hearty foods. But I like it to be simple, too. Chicken and dumplings are perfect in that respect. I used to make them on the stove, which is easy enough, but things have changed.
I have become a slow cooker convert.
Gone are the days of clunky, difficult to clean, aggravating Slow Cooker Dinosaurs, because now I own a WestBend Versatility Cooker. Oh sweet Lord. Where has this been all my life? It has several temperature settings, a built in timer, and it’s easy to see how your food is coming along thanks to the large glass lid. But wait – there’s MORE! Not only is it a six quart slow cooker…the cooker is just a large vessel that sits atop the heat source, meaning – it can go right into the fridge after dinner (no extra dirty dishes!) AND, that heat source? It’s also a griddle. And it’s dishwasher safe.
How cool is that??
It’s like an appliance from genies or the future, or even genies from the future. I honestly don’t care which.
I am not parting with it. Ever.
It was so easy to put together these chicken and dumplings: I just put in a few chicken breasts covered in water and chicken stock and a few herbs, set it on high, and a few hours later I tore up the chicken, added butter, cream, some more seasoning, and my dumplings.
No effort. At all.
Genies.
Ingredients
- Buttermilk Chicken and Dumplings
- 2-3 lbs Uncooked Chicken
- 2 1/2 quarts water
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 10 Tbsp. Butter
- Salt & Pepper to taste (lots of pepper)
- Oregano, to taste
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 4 cups Self Rising Flour
- 1/2 cup Shortening
Instructions
- Cook the chicken in salted water and stock in the slow cooker until chicken is done. There is no harm in leaving it to simmer for as long as you want, the longer, the more tender it becomes. When you begin to make your dumplings, pull the chicken out to a cutting board so that it can cool. Go ahead and add your butter, seasonings and buttermilk now so that they can be cooking.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour with the shortening using a pastry blender. It comes together very easily. Add about 1 1/2 cups of your chicken stock, straight out of the pot, and stir to combine. The dough will still seem pretty dry, but that’s okay. Dump it out on your counter and knead it a bit until it all comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out thinly, to about 1/8-1/4 inch thick (I prefer to smoosh them pretty thin – it’s just the way we like them here.) then use a knife or a pizza roller to cut the dough into strips. Any size will do, but mine are typically 1 1/2 inches across by 3-4 inches long. Add the dumplings to your boiling stock, and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes. While they are cooking, chop up your chicken into bit sized pieces. Add it back in at any point.. It is best to keep a lid on the boiling dumplings so that they steam.When dumplings appear done, spoon out and enjoy!
The Giveaway
You didn’t think I was going to brag on that WestBend Versatility Cooker and not offer you one, did you? Of course I’m going to offer you one!
Leave me a comment here telling me what you’d make in it if you win, and you’ll be entered to win! But wait! There’s more! Here are four more chances to win…
Share this post on Facebook, for one chance to win. Just be sure to come back here and comment, letting me know you did.
For another chance, Tweet the link to this post. Again, return, and let me know you did – I’m not psychic!
For a third and fourth chance, please Fan Doughmesstic on Facebook and/or Follow me on Twitter. Each one counts, so that’s two additional chances, just be sure to comment for each one you do.
So there are FOUR chances!
Although not required, I highly recommend Following doughmesstic on Twitter and becoming a Fan on Facebook, as I have this tendency to throw bonus entries out via those two. In fact, 4 of my last 5 winners have actually been from one of the bonus entries…so it can’t hurt!
Contest is open to addresses in the US only, and closes at 11:59pm on October 25, 2011. Prize is supplied and shipped by Westbend. I was supplied one to review, but was NOT paid for this post, and all opinions are my own.
{ 182 comments… read them below or add one }
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Following you on Twitter! My handle is rachbakes
I’m a FB fan.
I’ve got a real hankering for crockpot pulled pork.
I am a Doughmesstic Fan on Facebook.
I think I would try the Buttermilk Chicken and Dumplings if I won.
The chicken and dumplings sound really good…..I would definitly try this in the cooker…
Thanks for all the chances to win…I did them all:) I would definitely try this Chicken & Dumplings recipe…Delicious!!!
I would have to make the buttermilk chicken and dumplings
I posted this giveaway on facebook
I am a fan on facebook
I follow you on twitter
I tweeted this on twitter
If I won, I would make Buttermilk Chicken and Dumplings. Thank you!
What a beautiful slow cooker! I’d love love to win! I love this recipe too, chicken and dumplings has been a childhood comfort food forever with me! Susan
I shared on FB!
I tweeted! Used your link on the posting to do so! I’m Suziebuttons on Twitter!
I am following doughmesstic on Twitter! Love the name of your blog! Susan
I am also following doughmesstic on FB! I’m Susan Hahaj there!
Boy I should would love to win this slow cooker! Am going to try these chicken and dumplings first chance I get!!
If I had this beautiful piece of equipment, I’d use it first to make a wonderful slow cooker-type pot roast of beef. Add one cup of water and an envelope of Lipton Beefy Soup mix. Add quartered potatoes of your choice with skins, large delicious, tender carrots, and beautiful whole onions, which will carmelize in the beefy broth that will result while slow cooking. Scatter frozen peas among the other veggies just a few minutes before you serve, and you’ll not only have a wonderful healthful meal, but also one that will whet your family’s appetite for this love pat for their tummies!
I am going to be making this buttermilk chicken and dumplins whether I win or not. Looks absolutely devine
OMG – I am now a facebook fan and loving your DoughMessTic site. Thank you.
I would really make the dumplings, they sound wonderful.
Shared on Facebook!
Joined you on Facebook
First thing I’d make is this Chicken and Dumpling recipe-it’s looks awesome!
well I am a big fan of chicken and dumplings my mom in law she makes the best ones I have ever tasted so I would have to try to make yours if I won..and having all my 8 grand baby boys over for supper yum yum!!!!
Oh how I would love to have a West Bend versatility cooker, I would make some Mac n Cheese in it and then some Cinnamon Peach Crisp.
Well I an Indian who is married to An American and learning how to cook american food, love eating American food. At moment we cannot afford anything much and so winning the slow cooker will certainly help me to make Buttermilk chicken and dumplings, which I love!!
posted on the facebook
I would use this all the time. The first things I would make would be,white chicken chili. Then a pot roast. Then pulled pork . Yum…can’t wait.
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