Chicken and Dumplings

This is a family favorite and something I've been enjoying for years.  My mom made this while I was growing up and I've been making it for the last three or more decades. My kids and husband always enjoy this, especially on a cold winter day.  It's one of those comfort foods that just makes you feel good.

What you need:
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
 2 bay leaves
3 to 4 carrots cut into large bite size chunks
3 to 4 celery stalks cut into large bite size chunks
2 to 4 potatoes cut into large bite size chunks
1 sweet onion cut into large bite size pieces
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt or seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons Tones chicken base or chicken bouillon

For drop dumplings:
2 cups bisquick
3/4 cup milk

What to do:
1. In 4 1/2 quart pot, fill between 1/2 and 2/3 of the way with water.
2. Add chicken breasts, chicken bouillon or base, parsley, pepper,
 garlic powder, salt and bay leaves.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer until chicken is cooked, about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. While chicken is cooking cut, celery, carrots, onion and potatoes and set aside.
 5. When chicken is cooked all the way through remove from pot and let cool.
6. Now add celery, carrots, onion and potatoes to broth in pot.
7.  When chicken is cool enough, cut into bite size pieces and add back into broth mixture.
8.  Let veggies simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes until tender.
9.  While veggies are simmering mix the drop dumplings.
You'll need a mixing bowl, 2 cups bisquick and 3/4 cups milk.
10.  Put 2 cups bisquick into mixing bowl and add 3/4 cup milk,  stir with wire wisk or fork.
This will be a sticky, thick, dough mixture.

11. Bring stew mixture to a low boil, drop by large spoonfuls onto boiling stew and reduce heat.
12.  Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, then cover with lid and cook 10 minutes more.

This picture is before cooking covered.  When they've cooked the last 10 minutes you will have fluffy dumplings that are delicious with the chicken stew.  Adding the dumplings
 turns the clear broth of the stew into a creamy mixture and thickens it up good.
Now you're ready to serve this up and enjoy!
I love making this!  Its a great, complete meal that's nutritious and put together in one pot.

The dumplings always seem to go fast.  If you have a half pot of stew left,
 you can just mix up another batch of dumpling mix the next night,
 throw it on top and cook it just like you did for the
  first batch. Now your ready to enjoy a second time.
 I hope you all enjoy this as much as my family has.
Thanks mom . . . for making this a part of my life and my family's life. You're the best!