Shannon here: I’m celebrating my Sept release a bit early. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy of my first Love Inspired title, Reuniting with the Cowboy. Deadline: All comments on this post and on guest posts will go into this drawing for the entire month through August 31st, 11:59 pm central time.
I’ve always loved chicken and dumplings, but the dumplings intimidated me. I like the round fluffy ones like my mom makes. She tried to instruct me, but it just sounded intimidating and impossible, so I never tried.
Last winter, I saw fellow author, Ane Mulligan, mention on Facebook that she made dumplings with Grands Bisquits. I had to try it. First I made Wild Turkey and Dumplings, since my son is an avid hunter and I had two wild turkey breasts in my freezer. It turned out awesome both times. After I ran out of turkey, I made Chicken and Dumplings using chicken breasts.
This summer, I had a hankering for dumplings, but it was too hot to boil the chicken, so I took a shortcut and it turned out yummy. So here’s my shortcut:
Summertime Chicken & Dumplings
2 cans white chunk chicken breast
3 – 10 3/4 oz chicken broth
1 – 10 3/4 oz can cream of celery
1 – 22.4 oz can cream of mushroom
1 – 15 oz can sliced carrots (drained)
1 – 15 oz can sliced potatoes (drained)
1 – 15 oz can sweet peas (drained)
1 large can Grands Biscuits (not flaky)
Stir in all ingredients except bisuits in large dutch oven. Bring to boil. Cut biscuits small – 12 to 16 pieces out of each. When broth is hot, drop in biscuit pieces. Lower heat to simmer. Simmer 10 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dumplings are done.
Note: When I use fresh or frozen turkey breast or chicken breast, I used the broth from boiling. I always use canned vegetables even in the winter. The only thing I changed for the summer recipe was the canned chicken and canned broth.
I’d love to add onions and celery, but my guys don’t like them. My son is a picky eater and I expected him to say the chicken was funny or stringy. He didn’t, he just lapped it up.
Confession: Since I really don’t like to cook, I’ll probably use the canned chicken in the winter too. Unless my son gets another turkey this season.
About Shannon: Award winning, central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. She once climbed a mountain wearing gold wedge-heeled sandals which became known as her hiking boots.
She has twelve published titles and is contracted with Love Inspired for three more. Learn more and connect:
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The Cowboy Next Door
A charming cowboy moving in next door shouldn’t be bad news. But veterinarian Ally Curtis knows Cody Warren—she’d never forget the boy who left her when she needed him most. Cody is doing everything he can to show his beautiful neighbor he’s not the wild bull rider he once was, from helping her find homes for her beloved strays, to protecting her when her business is threatened. But Cody has a secret that keeps him from fully reaching out. Yet as they continue to work together to promote her shelter, he can’t keep himself from hoping that Ally might have a home for him…in her heart.
Question for Readers: Did you notice me coffee cup in the picture? It reads: Please do not annoy the writer, she may put you in a book and kill you. My local writers’ group bought it for me when I taught a class there. I love it! Do you have a favorite coffee or tea cup? Describe it for us.
Come back August 2nd for Darlene Franklin!
The coffee cup was the first thing I noticed about the picture. Lol !! I like it! I have a favorite mug I drink from that I have had for years that is white but but says Rams in a blue logo. I don’t like coffee but I drink Diet Coke in mine.
Oh by the way I’m going to try that dumpling recipe too one of these days.
Proof that you don’t have to drink coffee to have cool cups, Brenda. I love coffee and cups. The one I use the most – a writer friend – Shirley Gould bought for me at a conference in Dallas. It has a picture and the name of the city on it. The reason I use it most – it’s huge and I love coffee. I love my writer cup. I’d been wanting one for a long time. Hope you enjoy the recipe. I think I’m going to make it tomorrow. Sharing the recipe gave me a hankering for dumplings.
I should try to make chicken and dumplings, but I never have. Hm. I’ve made chicken pot pie several times and it was good.
How lovely to see your book! I am really looking to reading it.
Oh, that is a funny coffee cup. Actually, I didn’t notice it. I went straight to reading the post!
I have a coffee mug with Angels on it that my than boyfriend brought me on our 1st date.He is now my ex boyfriend. I love chicken and dumplings.
My favorite coffee mug says ” Moms make any season bright” My daughter’s friend gave it to me a few years ago for Christmas .She calls me her second mom. Thanks for the recipe Shannon.
Hey Sylvia, if I can do it, you can. There’s absolutely nothing to it with the biscuits. And the cream soups make the broth nice and creamy. Yum. I haven’t based a character on anyone and killed them off in my books. But I have based unlikable characters on unlikable people I’ve encountered.
At least the cup was a keeper, Angela. I’ve redone my kitchen with a coffee theme recently. My curtains have coffee cups on them and mugs hang all over the walls. My husband I both love coffee.
That’s a great cup, Shelia. Mom’s rock.
Funny Mug and No I personally do not have a favorite myself I don’t drink Hot drinks regularly
But Linda, they’re good for diet coke according to Brenda. My son likes to drink soup out of a mug. How about a favorite glass or travel cup?
I like comfort foods in the summer too. Now you have me craving chicken and dumplings Shannon! I would love to read your new book. Thanks for the chance to win. Have a blessed day.
I noticed your coffee cup and your smile….I have a glass coffee cup! I love it! Enjoy watching the coffee mix with creamer as I fill it up! Can’t wait to read your newest book! And I’m from NC and was raised on Chicken and Dumplings ( we called it Chicken Stew). Always interested in new recipes.
You should try it, Maryann. It’s yummy and easy. Hope you get the chance to read the book. It was fun to write.
Okay Kathy. Now I need a glass mug. That sounds fun. I let my inner animal lover out in this book.
I remember that coffee cup and I love it!!!
My personal favorite mug is from a coffee shop in Seattle, WA called “Tully’s”. The mug has nine
different styles of glasses from “the granny” to “the pirate” on it (go figure) and is LARGE so more coffee 😀
Yes Elena, the bigger the mug, the fewer the refills.
I love funny coffee cups! I saw one in a store the other day that changed scenes when you put the hot water/coffee in it! What fun! My favorite coffee mug is the one with a picture collage of all my grandchildren 😀
The scenery one sounds interesting, Kim. The grandchildren one is special. We have one with our son’s baby pic on it, but I’m always afraid the pic will come off, so we don’t use it. I used to have one with my dachshund on it. He went to weenie dog heaven a long time ago, the cup is in storage in the attic.
I just got a new favorite cup the other day. It feels good in my hand and it says Junk Gypsies on the front of the cup.
Yes, I noticed your cup right away and was leaning in to read what it said. Great warning–LOL! I had to quit drinking coffee years ago, as it began to give me horrible stomachaches. However, I am a huge hot tea lover, so I still have a great collection of cups. I am drinking chai tea with a non-dairy creamer right now out of one of my favorite cups. It’s very large, solid wine-colored with a logo on it in gold. It also say Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats. It’s from Crane Lake in Northern Minnesota, where my parents kept their houseboat. Last year my brother, sister and I went up there as a tribute to my parents, after my mom died. (My dad died years ago). We each bought one of these mugs, so it brings many memories to my mind–old and new.
My favorite mug is one with a Gary Larson cartoon on it. I love his odd sense of humor.
Hey Melanie, we love that show.
I love how mugs can symbolize something special and bring back memories. We bought a mug in TX that has the Alamo and several TX symbols on it the year my father in law died. I think of him every time I see it.
I love those cartoons, Melanie. I love odd senses of humor too.
I have a winner! Cathy won the drawing. She commented on Amanda Cabot’s post in August. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.