Ingredients:

1 (3 -6 lb) frying chickens ( any whole chicken will do)

2 quarts water

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper ( I use coarse ground and double it)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons shortening ( I use Crisco sticks)

3/4 cup buttermilk ( I add 1 tbsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk let sit 5 minutes, then measure 3/4 cup)

Instructions:

Place chicken in a Dutch oven. Add water and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil.

Cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour or until tender (should almost fall off the bone).

Remove the chicken from the broth and cool. Bone the chicken and cut meat into bite-sized pieces.

Bring the broth to a boil and add pepper.

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening. Add the buttermilk, stirring with a fork until moistened.

Knead the dough 4 to 5 times (never done), and pat to 1/2-inch pieces and drop into boiling broth (I do not pat it out, just pinch off pieces). Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken Dumplings

Stir in the chicken and serve. I make it in the pressure cooker, much quicker and easier.

I pressure it for only 30 minutes.

It can also be done in the crockpot with 3-4 cups water but someone has that book so at this time I cannot give cooking times.

Good Luck! Hope you enjoy.