We’ve added a clever twist to the popular comfort food with crispy dumplings made with amber ale.
Active preparation time: 50 minutes
Total time: 70 minutes
Serves: 4–5
Chicken Stew
Salt and pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs (1 fl oz/30 ml) olive oil
1 chicken, cut into pieces
1 medium onion, finely diced
½ cup carrot, finely diced
½ cup celery, finely diced
2 tsp fresh thyme
¼ tsp turmeric
6 cup (48 fl oz/1.4 l) low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup (4 fl oz/118 ml) apple cider
½ cup (4 fl oz/118 ml) heavy cream
Place ½ cup of flour on a plate or in a shallow dish. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then dredge the pieces in the flour. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the butter and olive oil and heat until the butter melts and begins to foam. In two batches, brown the chicken on both sides and remove. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes over medium-low heat. Stir in the remaining flour, thyme, and turmeric, then add the chicken broth and apple cider. Stir to combine, and add the browned chicken. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan to a large plate. Use two forks to remove the meat from the bone. Shred the meat and return the meat to the pot. Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Dumplings
1½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup yellow cornmeal
1 heaping Tbs baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
½ cup (4 fl oz/118 ml) heavy cream
1 cup (8 fl oz/237 ml) amber ale
Oil for frying
2 Tbs fresh parsley, minced (optional)
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients until well combined. Add the cream and beer, stirring gently to combine. In a deep fryer or pan with high sides, heat the oil to 350°F (177°C). Drop tablespoons of dumpling dough into the hot oil and brown for 1 minute; turn over and continuing to fry for 1 minute more.
Spoon the chicken stew into bowls and top each with 2–3 dumplings.
Beer Suggestions: Humboldt Red Nectar (Paso Robles, California), New Belgium Fat Tire (Fort Collins, Colorado), Alaskan Amber (Juneau, Alaska).