In Memory of Dolly Parton
Like so many people, I’ve been thinking about Dolly Parton and the joy, kindness and warmth she brought into the world.
Dolly loved Southern comfort food, and chicken and dumplings was one of the dishes she was especially known for. In her memory, I wanted to make something a little different here at The Comfy Cabin — a vegetarian version of Southern Chicken & Dumplings made with Daring plant-based chicken. ❤️ 🌿
It’s warm, comforting and inspired by the kind of simple Southern cooking that Dolly loved, with a vegetarian twist from my own kitchen.
Some people leave behind songs. Some leave behind stories. Dolly left us both — along with a reminder to be generous, laugh often and put a little more kindness into the world.
This recipe is made with love in her memory. ❤️ 🦋
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the Daring chicken. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the Daring chicken according to the package directions until lightly golden. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables. Add the onion, carrots and celery to a large pot. Sauté for about 5–7 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the carrots and celery begin to soften.
- Make the broth. Pour in the vegetable broth. Add the garlic powder, poultry seasoning, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Make the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Cut in the vegetable shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually stir in the plant-based buttermilk until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently roll it out and cut it into rustic strips or small pieces.
- Cook the dumplings. Bring the broth to a gentle boil and add the dumplings a few at a time. Reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 10–15 minutes, or until the dumplings are tender and cooked through.
- Add the Daring chicken. Gently stir the browned plant chicken into the pot during the final 3–5 minutes of cooking. This helps it retain its texture.
- For a creamier broth, stir in the plant milk at the end. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
- Spoon into bowls and finish with fresh parsley and a little cracked black pepper.
Notes
🦋 Comfy Cabin Note 🦋
This isn’t Dolly Parton’s original chicken and dumplings recipe. It’s my vegetarian interpretation of a Southern comfort-food classic, created as a small tribute to Dolly and the warmth, music and Southern traditions she shared with generations of us.
Serve it warm, put on a favorite Dolly song, and enjoy a comforting little taste of the South.
Lots of Love, ❤️
Debra Roinestad