Feather dumplings are a lighter, fluffier version of traditional dumplings, often used in chicken and dumplings recipes. They are perfect for adding a soft, pillowy texture to the dish. Here’s a recipe to make feather dumplings for your chicken and dumplings:
Feather Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg (optional for extra fluffiness)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using).
- Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You want the butter to stay in small, pea-sized pieces.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- If you’re using an egg, lightly beat it and add it to the flour mixture.
- Slowly pour in the milk, stirring just until the dough comes together. You don’t want to overmix, as that will make the dumplings dense.
- Prepare the Chicken and Broth:
- Ensure your chicken and broth are ready and boiling in your soup pot. You can either use homemade chicken broth or store-bought.
- Form the Dumplings:
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering broth. Be sure to leave some space between each dumpling.
- Cook the Dumplings:
- Cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the dumplings steam for about 12-15 minutes, until they are puffed up and cooked through. You can check by inserting a toothpick into the center of one; if it comes out clean, the dumplings are ready.
- Finish the Chicken and Dumplings:
- Once the dumplings are fully cooked, gently stir them into the chicken and broth mixture, allowing the flavors to combine.
- Serve:
- Serve the chicken and feather dumplings hot, garnished with parsley if desired.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can add some finely chopped herbs like parsley or thyme to the dumpling dough.
- If you like a thicker broth, you can make a slurry with a bit of flour and water, then stir it into the broth before adding the dumplings.
Enjoy your fluffy, feather-like dumplings in your comforting chicken and dumplings!
