Grandma's Hug: Soulful Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings Recipe - Dave's Grill

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (4 lbs or 1.8 kg) or 4-6 chicken thighs
• 8 cups (2 L) water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 celery stalks (roughly chopped)
• 1 medium onion (quartered)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsps (45 g) unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
• ¾ cup (180 mL) milk
• 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 mL) heavy cream (optional)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)