Loretta Lynn's Chicken & Dumplings Is a Comfort Food Classic

Loretta Lynn's Chicken & Dumplings

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For many of us, when the cooler months begin to approach, it's time to whip out our favorite comfort food recipes. Whether it's chili, soup, or just a good loaf of bread, our go-to options bring both a sense comfort and nostalgia that just can't be beat.

While I'm always for digging in my recipe box to pull out some childhood favorites, running across classic recipes that are new to me is perfect when starting a new season. And the latest recipe I came across that had my palate intrigued is by none other than country music star Loretta Lynn.

Noted as the "Most Awarded Lady in Country Music History," the late icon may be known for her impact in the music world, but her recipe for Chicken & Dumplings seems to be just as famous as she is. Found in her 2004 cookbook, You're Cookin' It Country, the recipe was revealed to be a personal favorite of the star.

As often happens with famous recipes, there are many variations of this dish circling around online (one version of the recipe on Reddit even claims to have been found in an antique shop in Franklin, Tennessee). I started with the recipe from the cookbook, but I thought it could be improved (more on that later) and finally landed on the chicken recipe from the original recipe and the dumplings from the Reddit recipe card. Here's what you need to know to make this recipe at home.

Get the recipe: Loretta Lynn's Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients for Loretta Lynn’s Chicken & Dumplings

You don't need a ton of ingredients to make this comfort food classic. Here's what to add to your shopping list: a plump hen or rooster (or just a grocery store chicken), garlic cloves, flour, water, an egg, chicken broth, baking powder, heavy cream, cornstarch and both salt and pepper.

Related: Celebrity Tributes Pour in After Loretta Lynn's Death

How to Make Loretta Lynn’s Chicken & Dumplings

Start by dispatching your chicken into serving pieces with a sharp knife. Once done, place the chicken and garlic cloves in a large pot and fill with enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat to low, cover, and cook for two additional hours—or until tender, adding additional water as needed.

While that's cooking, turn your attention to your dumplings. For this part of the recipe, I tried the dumpling variation that was found on the recipe card in the antique shop after making the initial one first. The recipe card is the dumpling recipe I would recommend, so these are the steps I'll supply.

Start by mixing flour together with baking powder and salt. After sifting the mixture, add in your eggs and combine well. Next, add in enough milk to get the ingredients to stick together. Then, knead the dough, roll it very thin, and cut into strips. Set aside.

When your chicken is done cooking, remove it from the pot and allow to cool. In a new pot, add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add your 1 x 2-inch dumpling strips into the pot before covering and letting simmer, about 10 minutes. Add in the cream and chicken pieces, simmer for 5-10 minutes and season with salt and pepper to taste.

If you'd prefer the a thicker consistency, mix together a bit of the broth and some cornstarch in a bowl then pour it into the pot. Let simmer until thickened and serve.

Related: Honor Loretta Lynn's Life With Her 40 Best Song Lyrics

What I Thought of Loretta Lynn's Chicken & Dumplings

I truly enjoy rustic dishes and soups, but I found the original recipe a bit bland. Since I was really in the mood for chicken and dumplings, I made the dish again a few days later (I purchased two chickens when I went to the store). The second time around, I made a few small adjustments to give it a bit more life.

To start, I added more seasoning to the pot for the chicken. The addition of chicken bouillon, thyme, and a pinch or two of cayenne pepper took this recipe to the next level. For the dumplings, I used buttermilk instead of regular milk and the result delivered dumplings that were lighter and fluffier.

Overall, I would definitely make my version of this dish again—especially as the temperatures begin to drop outside.

Tips for Making Loretta Lynn's Chicken & Dumplings

1. Add in more flavor. For those of us who feel that the recipe is lacking in flavor, don't be afraid to add in the seasonings and herbs you feel it needs. You can also add in vegetables like celery, onion and carrots to give it a pop.

2. Your dumplings don't have to be perfect. This is a rustic dish and should be treated as such. Don't worry about having the perfect shaped dumpling because it doesn't affect the taste.

3. Don't skip the chicken broth. This will help increase the flavor of the dish and will take it up a notch .

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