Description
A rustic outdoor comfort food recipe featuring whole chicken smoked with hickory or applewood, simmered in a rich, creamy broth with vegetables, and topped with light, fluffy drop biscuits.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (approx. 4–5 lbs / 1.8–2.3 kg)
- 1 cup hickory or applewood chips (soaked)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion (diced)
- 2 large carrots (chopped into half-inch chunks)
- 3 stalks celery (chopped into half-inch chunks)
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for roux)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour (for dumplings)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (for dumplings)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (for soup finish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes, fresh thyme, fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 225°F (107°C). Place whole chicken on grates and smoke until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), approximately 1.5-2 hours.
- Remove chicken and let rest for 20 minutes. Shred meat, discarding skin and bones. You should have about 4-5 cups of shredded chicken.
- In a large stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp flour over vegetables. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes to create a roux.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Add shredded chicken to the broth. Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes to rehydrate and absorb flavors. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk self-rising flour with a pinch of salt (if needed). Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream and stir gently until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough directly into the simmering soup. Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Check dumplings for doneness. Stir in the final 1/2 cup heavy cream. Serve immediately.
Notes
Keep ingredients cold until mixing dough for flaky biscuits. Do not open the lid while dumplings are cooking. The soup base can be frozen without dumplings for meal prep. For a spicy twist, add cayenne and smoked paprika.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous bowl (app
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: smoked chicken, chicken and dumplings, outdoor cooking, smoker recipes, comfort food, drop biscuits, hickory smoked, winter recipes