Canning chicken and dumplings is a great way to preserve this delicious comfort food for later use. However, it’s important to note that the USDA and other food safety agencies don’t recommend canning chicken and dumplings in a traditional water bath canner due to safety concerns. This is because the dumplings can thicken the liquid in the jars, making it difficult to ensure proper heat penetration for safe canning.
If you want to preserve chicken and dumplings, it’s safer to can the components separately: the chicken, broth, and dumplings. Here’s a guide on how to can them separately:
1. Canning Chicken:
Ingredients:
- Cooked chicken (chopped or shredded)
Instructions: a. Cook the chicken thoroughly and ensure it’s tender and fully cooked. b. Pack the cooked chicken into sterilized canning jars, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top. c. Wipe the jar rims to remove any residue. d. Process the jars in a pressure canner according to the recommended pressure and time for your altitude and the type of canner you’re using. e. Follow the guidelines for safe home canning provided by your local extension service or the USDA.
2. Canning Chicken Broth:
Ingredients:
- Chicken broth or stock
Instructions: a. Prepare chicken broth or stock, ensuring it’s well strained and free of any debris. b. Heat the broth, ensuring it’s hot when you’re ready to fill the jars. c. Pour the hot broth into sterilized canning jars, leaving about an inch of headspace. d. Wipe the jar rims and apply sterilized lids and bands. e. Process the jars in a pressure canner according to the recommended pressure and time for your altitude.
3. Canning Dumplings:
Ingredients:
- Prepared dumplings (uncooked)
Instructions: a. Prepare your dumplings as you would for cooking, but leave them uncooked. b. Place the uncooked dumplings in sterilized canning jars, leaving some headspace. c. Wipe the jar rims and apply sterilized lids and bands. d. Process the jars in a pressure canner according to the recommended pressure and time for your altitude.
When you’re ready to enjoy chicken and dumplings, combine the canned chicken, broth, and dumplings in a pot, heat, and cook until the dumplings are fully cooked. Always follow safe canning practices to ensure the quality and safety of your canned goods.
