Chicken and Dumplings is a popular comfort food and soul food dish commonly found in the Southern and Midwestern United States that is also attributed to being a French Canadian meal that originated during the Great Depression. A dumpling in this context is a mixture of either flour, shortening, and water or milk or flour and stock which is then formed into a ball or rolled out flat. Chicken and dumplings as a dish is served with a combination of boiled chicken meat, the broth produced by boiling the chicken, multiple dumplings, and salt and pepper for seasoning. In some areas this meal is known as chicken and sliders.
International versions
Although the Dumpling has been around for many generations, each culture has their own way of individualizing the basic dumpling recipe. There are other international versions of chicken and dumplings, for instance the Chinese culture has the Wontonhttp://www.simple-chicken-recipes.com/Chicken-And-Dumpling-Recipe.html which is similar to the Chicken and dumplings as we know it today. Additionally, the Iranian-Jewish dish called Gundi includes matzah ball dumplings which are also common in central European food.
Since the creating of the dumpling, various meats aside from chicken have accompanied it such as beef, lamb and pork.
The Chinese culture associates symbolic meanings to various foods. "Chicken symbolizes happiness and is said to lead to a long, happy marriage. Dumplings and pot stickers convey good wishes toward one's family." Dumplings are available in many myriad Chinese or other East Asian restaurants. Dumplings are also available in other restaurants.
