Lighter Chicken And Dumplings Recipes

LIGHT CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with rack placed in the center of the oven.
• In a large plastic bag combine 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons of flour, seasoned salt, cajun seasoning, black pepper and cayenne (if using). Close up bag and shake to combine. *Note if you are feeding this to young children who do not like spice, you might wish to omit the cayenne and the cajun seasoning.
• Season the chicken pieces using the additional 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper , before dredging the chicken in the flour.
• Dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off excess. Reserve any of the remaining flour for making the rue later.
• Heat a deep ovenproof pot like a Dutch oven, over medium heat. Once the pot is hot, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Brown the chicken on both sides and transfer to a plate and set aside. *NOTE: In order to use less oil in browning, place the lid over the pan while the chicken is browning. This will help to trap some of the steam and keep things moist without the addition of more oil. But keep a watchful eye that your chicken doesn't burn.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1 teaspoon of oil, the mushrooms (if using) and a pinch of salt to season. Place the lid on the pot to help cook the mushrooms without the need for additional oil. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Once the mushrooms have begun to brown, add the last teaspoon of oil, carrots, celery and onion. Sweat the vegetables for 5 minutes, again covering the pot with a lid.
• Deglaze the pan with the brandy and simmer until it is nearly evaporated.
• Stir in the reserved flour to coat the vegetables. Cook and stir for one to two minutes. The vegetable will look pasty.
• While stirring, slowly add the broth. As the broth is added to the pot, it will combine with the floured vegetables and begin to make a gravy.
• Once all of the broth has been added mix in the potatoes.
• Cover the pot and place in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile blend all the dry ingredients for the dumplings in a mixing bowl.
• In a microwaveable container, heat the milk and butter just until the butter melts, about 25 seconds on high power.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together just until combined. If the mixture seems too dry, add an additional teaspoon of milk.
• Remove the pot from the oven and return all of the chicken, lemon juice, thyme and sage to the pot. Stir briefly to incorporate the ingredients.
• Using a tablespoon gently scoop out 4 dumplings of equal portion (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each). Place the balls of dough on the surface of the gravy.
• Cover and place the pot back into the oven for another 20 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the oven and serve.
• Garnish with minced parsley. (Optional)

LIGHTER CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, stir together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and milk. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips, onion and celery. Sautee until chicken is cooked through, and onions are tender. Transfer the chicken mixture to the soup pot, and mix well. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Season with celery seed and black pepper.
• To Make Dumplings: In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of oil. Pour into the dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.
• Drop tablespoonfuls of the dumpling mixture into simmering chicken stew. Cover pot tightly, and bring to a boil. Simmer for another 12 to 15 minutes - without peeking! Ladle into bowls, and serve hot.

LIGHTER CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken with the salt. Heat the oil in a nonstick Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the chicken to a plate.
• Add the onion, mushrooms, carrots, and celery to the Dutch oven. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and brown lightly, about 8 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Return the chicken and any of its juices to the Dutch oven. Add the broth; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Stir in the peas.
• Meanwhile, to prepare the dumplings, combine the baking mix, milk, and parsley in a medium bowl until a soft dough forms.
• Drop the dough by tablespoons onto the simmering stew. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Cover and simmer until the dumplings have doubled in size and are cooked through, about 10 minutes longer.

HEARTY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS LIGHTENED-UP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, garliconions and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, 5 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grind the oats in a food processor until fine. Combine with the flour, baking powder, zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Work in the butter with your fingers until only very small pieces remain. Stir in 1/2 cup ice water, a bit at a time, until a soft dough is formed. Let rest 10 minutes.
• Drop cherry-size bits of the dumpling dough into the soup. Add the green beans and stir gently. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the dumplings are floating and cooked through and the beans are bright green and crisp-tender, about 12 minutes. Add the chicken and continue to cook until it is just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the dill and season with salt and pepper.
• Per Serving: Calories: 376; Total Fat; 10 grams; Saturated Fat: 3 grams; Protein: 37 grams; Total carbohydrates: 34 grams; Sugar: 4 grams Fiber: 5 grams; Cholesterol: 73 milligrams; Sodium: 360 milligrams

HEARTY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS LIGHTENED-UP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, garlic, onions and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, 5 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grind the oats in a food processor until fine. Combine with the flour, baking powder, zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Work in the butter with your fingers until only very small pieces remain. Stir in 1/2 cup ice water, a bit at a time, until a soft dough is formed. Let rest 10 minutes.
• Drop cherry-size bits of the dumpling dough into the soup. Add the green beans and stir gently. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the dumplings are floating and cooked through and the beans are bright green and crisp-tender, about 12 minutes. Add the chicken and continue to cook until it is just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the dill and season with salt and pepper.

LIGHTENED CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS (COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)

Steps:

• 1. FOR THE STEW Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook until skin is crisp and well browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Using tongs, turn chicken pieces and brown on second side, 5 to 7 minutes longer; transfer to large plate. Discard all but 1 teaspoon fat from pot.
• 2. Add onions, carrots, and celery to now-empty pot; cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in sherry, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in broth and thyme. Return chicken thighs, with any accumulated juices, to pot and add chicken wings. Bring to simmer, cover, and cook until thigh meat offers no resistance when poked with tip of paring knife but still clings to bones, 45 to 55 minutes.
• 3. Remove pot from heat and transfer chicken to cutting board. Allow broth to settle 5 minutes, then skim fat from surface using wide spoon or ladle. When cool enough to handle, remove and discard skin from chicken. Using fingers or fork, pull meat from chicken thighs (and wings, if desired) and cut into 1-inch pieces. Return meat to pot.
• 4. FOR THE DUMPLINGS Whisk flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt in large bowl. Combine buttermilk and melted butter in medium bowl, stirring until butter forms small clumps; whisk in egg white. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients and stir with rubber spatula until just incorporated and batter pulls away from sides of bowl.
• 5. Return stew to simmer; stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Using greased tablespoon measure (or #60 portion scoop), scoop level amount of batter and drop over top of stew, spacing about ¼ inch apart (you should have about 24 dumplings). Wrap lid of Dutch oven with clean kitchen towel (keeping towel away from heat source) and cover pot. Simmer gently until dumplings have doubled in size and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 13 to 16 minutes. Serve immediately.

LIGHTER CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, stir together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and milk. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips, onion and celery. Sautee until chicken is cooked through, and onions are tender. Transfer the chicken mixture to the soup pot, and mix well. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Season with celery seed and black pepper.
• To Make Dumplings: In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of oil. Pour into the dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.
• Drop tablespoonfuls of the dumpling mixture into simmering chicken stew. Cover pot tightly, and bring to a boil. Simmer for another 12 to 15 minutes - without peeking! Ladle into bowls, and serve hot.

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS - LIGHTER FARE

Steps:

• Boil the chicken in 4 cups of water until cooked through. Remove from heat, reserve the broth for the soup. Chop or shred the chicken to your desired preference.
• In large soup pot, heat 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cook until softened.
• Add remaining ingredients and bring to a slight boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• In small sauce pot, combine milk, butter, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a boil and remove from heat immediately.
• Slowly stir in flour until it batter begins to pull away from sides. Add eggs very slowly, mixing well.
• Add 1/3 spoon sized dumplings to soup. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through.