Quick Chicken and Dumplings

This quick and easy recipe is a great use for leftover rotisserie (BBQ in Australia) or roast chicken. The best way of describing it is a cross between chicken soup, casserole and pot pie. It is delicious, comforting and best of all comes together quickly, perfect for a weeknight meal. The recipe is based on one found on NY Times cooking but I have altered the cooking times a little.

Ingredients

• 40 gm butter
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 leek, washed, white and pale green part sliced
• 2 stalks celery,, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3 tsp, finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tsp, fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp mixed herbs (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to season
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 1.25 litres chicken stock
• 1 cup cream
• 1 500gm package fresh or shelf-stable gnocchi
• 1/2 Roast/BBQ chicken, meat shredded
• Fresh herbs and lemon to serve

Directions

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium – low heat. Add the carrots, leek, celery, garlic, rosemary, thyme and mixed herbs, if using. Season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables have softened slightly, about 7 – 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with the flour, then cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Gradually stir in the the chicken stock, and bring to a boil over high heat.

Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the cream and bring back to a simmer.

Add the gnocchi, reducing the heat to a simmer, stir occasionally, and cook until the gnocchi is tender about 5 minutes.

Stir in the chicken and cook for a couple of minute or until the chicken is hot. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Divide among bowls and top with fresh herbs, adding pepper and good squeeze of lemon juice.

Leftovers are great the next day but may need thinning out a little with some extra stock or water. It’s going to be hot in Melbourne over the next few days so maybe a recipe to bookmark for another day. But it is worth trying when you have leftover chicken to use up and feel like a big bowl of comfort. Enjoy. Sheryl x