Chicken and Dumplings Like Cracker Barrel's

This tastes just like Cracker Barrel's, if you have ever tried it. From book "Old Fashioned Country Cooking" found at Cracker Barrel.

• Ready In: 3 hrs
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 1 batch

Ingredients

• 1 (3 -6 lb)  frying chickens (any whole chicken will do)
• 2  quarts water
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper (I use coarse ground and double it)
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3  tablespoons shortening (I use Crisco sticks)
• 3⁄4 cup buttermilk (I add 1 tbsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk let sit 5 minutes, then measure 3/4 cup)

Directions

1. Place chicken in a Dutch oven. Add water and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil.
2. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1 hour or until tender (should almost fall off bone).
3. Remove the chicken from the broth and cool. Bone the chicken and cut meat into bite-sized pieces.
4. Bring the broth to a boil and add pepper.
5. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening. Add the buttermilk, stirring with a fork until moistened.
6. Knead the dough 4 to 5 times (never done), and pat to 1/2-inch pieces and drop into boiling broth (I do not pat it out, just pinch off pieces). Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Stir in the chicken and serve. I make it in the pressure cooker, much quicker and easier.
8. I pressure it for only 30 minutes.
9. It can also be done in the crockpot with 3-4 cups water but someone has that book so at this time I cannot give cooking times.
10. Good Luck! Hope you enjoy.