Hearty Paula Deen Chicken And Pastry Recipe for Comfort

Paula Deen’s chicken and pastry embodies Southern culinary magic, transforming humble ingredients into a soul-soothing masterpiece.

Each spoonful tells a story of comfort and tradition deeply rooted in Southern kitchens.

Silky pastry strips dance with tender chicken in a luxurious, creamy embrace that whispers of home-cooked love.

Generations have savored this rustic dish, passing down its heartwarming recipe through family gatherings and intimate meals.

The recipe celebrates simplicity, blending robust flavors with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Regional cooking techniques shine through in every carefully seasoned bite, promising a meal that nourishes both body and spirit.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to experience a taste of Southern hospitality that will make your taste buds sing with delight.

How to Serve Paula Deen’s Homestyle Chicken and Pastry

• Serve with Warm Comfort
• Pair this hearty chicken and dumplings with a crisp green salad to balance the rich, creamy texture. The fresh greens provide a light contrast to the comforting main dish.
• Garnish with Herbal Freshness
• Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top to add a pop of color and bright flavor. These herbs will elevate the dish's visual appeal and introduce a subtle, fresh note.
• Create Family-Style Feast
• Serve directly from the pot at the center of the table, encouraging everyone to scoop their own portion. This approach creates a warm, communal dining experience that brings people together.
• Complement with Southern Sides
• Accompany the dish with traditional Southern sides like collard greens, cornbread, or buttermilk biscuits. These classic pairings enhance the soul-satisfying quality of the chicken and dumplings.

Storage & Leftover Tips for Paula Deen’s Chicken and Pastry

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover chicken and dumplings in airtight containers, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Properly stored, this comforting dish maintains quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain dumpling texture.
• Portion and Prep Ahead: Divide the recipe into individual or family-sized servings. Prepare extra batches on weekends for quick weeknight meals. Label containers with date and contents for easy meal planning and tracking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Paula Deen’s Chicken and Pastry

• Whole Chicken: Select a plump, fresh bird with smooth skin and no discoloration for maximum flavor and tenderness.

• Celery Stalks, Onion: Choose crisp, firm vegetables with vibrant green or white colors to enhance the broth's depth.

• Bay Leaves: Look for whole, intact leaves with rich green color and strong aromatic fragrance.
• Bouillon Cubes: Opt for low-sodium varieties to control salt levels and customize the dish's taste.
• House Seasoning: Select a blend with balanced herbs and spices for consistent, robust flavor profile.

• Water: Use filtered or spring water to ensure clean, pure taste in the chicken stock.

• All-Purpose Flour: Pick fresh, unbleached flour with consistent texture for smooth dumpling preparation.
• Salt: Choose fine-grain sea salt or kosher salt for even distribution and balanced seasoning.
• Ice-Cold Water: Ensure water is extremely chilled to create tender, soft dumpling texture.

• Cornstarch: Select pure, finely ground cornstarch without lumps for smooth stock consistency.

Kitchen Tools for Chicken and Pastry

• Large Pot: Spacious cooking vessel for simmering chicken and creating flavorful stock.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping celery and onion into small pieces.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for precise vegetable and chicken preparation.
• Mixing Bowl: Roomy container for combining dumpling ingredients and kneading dough.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll dumpling dough to perfect 1/8 inch thickness.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients throughout cooking process.
• Measuring Cups: Accurate tool for measuring flour and other dry ingredients.
• Cornstarch Thrasher: Small whisk or fork for mixing cornstarch with water.
• Colander or Strainer: Optional tool for draining chicken if needed.

Directions for Making Paula Deen’s Chicken and Pastry

• Launch Chicken Adventure

Start by prepping a wholesome pot of comfort. Grab a whole chicken and some aromatic vegetables to create a mouthwatering base for your chicken and dumplings.

• Craft Flavorful Liquid Gold

Toss chopped celery and onion into a large pot with the chicken. Season generously with herbs and spices. Pour water to cover everything, then bring to a gentle simmer until chicken becomes so tender it practically falls apart.

• Transform Chicken into Delicate Morsels

Carefully remove chicken from the pot. Strip away skin and bones, shredding meat into delightful bite-sized pieces. Return these succulent chunks back to the bubbling broth.

• Create Silky Soup Base

Stir in a creamy soup to add richness and depth. Let the mixture dance with gentle bubbles, blending flavors into a harmonious symphony.

• Prepare Heavenly Dumpling Dough

Mix flour and a pinch of salt. Slowly introduce ice-cold water, using fingertips to coax the ingredients into a smooth, elastic dough. Knead until the mixture feels like a soft cloud ready to float into your soup.

• Shape Dumpling Magic

Dust your workspace with flour. Roll the dough into a delicate sheet, letting it rest briefly. Slice into tender strips that will soon transform your soup into a comfort food masterpiece.

• Drop Dumplings into Liquid Embrace

Gently slide dumpling strips into the simmering pot. Let them dance and swirl, cooking until they float to the surface – a sign they’re perfectly done.

• Serve Comfort in a Bowl

Ladle the steaming chicken and dumplings into warm bowls. Each spoonful promises a hug of flavor that warms you from the inside out. Enjoy your culinary creation!

Cooking Advice & Alternative Twists for Chicken and Pastry (Paula Deen)

• Boost Chicken Flavor: Add garlic powder or fresh herbs like thyme and parsley to enhance the overall taste profile of your chicken and dumplings.
• Create Creamy Variations: Swap cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or use half-and-half for a richer, more luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.
• Customize Dumpling Texture: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, more rustic dumpling that provides extra nutrition and a nutty undertone.
• Spice It Up: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce into the stock for those who love a little kick and want to transform this classic comfort dish into a zesty meal.

Comforting Paula Deen Chicken And Pastry Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Paula Deen’s chicken and pastry delivers Southern comfort with hearty chicken stew and hand-rolled dough strips. Creamy, rich flavors blend perfectly for a classic home-style meal you’ll savor with pure satisfaction.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 chicken (2.5 lb)
• 2 bouillon cubes
• 4 quarts water
• 1 can (10.75 oz/306 g) condensed cream of celery or cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 tsp Paula Deen’s house seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ¾ cup ice water
• 2 tbsps corn starch (optional)
• 2 bay leaves

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Broth Foundation: Combine chicken, celery, onion, bay leaves, bouillon cubes, and House Seasoning in a large stockpot. Cover completely with water and initiate gentle simmering.
2. Chicken Preparation: Cook poultry until meat becomes tender and easily separates from bones, approximately 30-45 minutes. Remove chicken, discard skin, bones, and bay leaves, then shred meat and return to broth.
3. Stock Enhancement: Blend cream of celery or cream of chicken soup into the broth. Whisk cornstarch with cold water and incorporate to thicken liquid, bringing mixture to a soft boil.
4. Pastry Crafting: Mix flour and salt, gradually adding ice-cold water to form a compact dough. Knead until smooth, then roll on flour-dusted surface to 1/8 inch thickness.
5. Dumpling Transformation: Slice rolled dough into 1-inch strips, halving each before gently dropping into simmering stock. Cook until dumplings float to surface, approximately 3-4 minutes, ensuring delicate texture and even distribution.

Notes

• Chicken Selection Matters: Choose a whole chicken with skin and bones intact for maximum flavor extraction and richer broth development.
• Precise Meat Handling: Shred chicken meat meticulously, removing all bones and skin to ensure smooth, tender texture in final dish.
• Dough Consistency is Key: Work dough gently and minimally to prevent toughness, using ice-cold water and light fingertip blending for tender pastry strips.
• Temperature Control Critical: Maintain gentle simmer throughout cooking process to prevent dumplings from becoming rubbery or falling apart.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg