Chicken and Dumplings

Make this cozy classic chicken and dumplings recipe from scratch. It’s an old-fashioned comfort food classic with rich broth, tender chicken, and homemade dumplings.

• 1 whole chicken 4 to 5 pounds, cut into pieces
• 1 yellow onion cut into quarters
• 3 large carrots cut into thirds
• 3 ribs celery cut into thirds
• ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
• 1 bay leaf or a ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning, optional
• 8 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch plus 4 tablespoons water

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
• ⅓ cup shortening
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup milk