Baking hen to make chicken and dumplings?

It sounds like you're asking about how to cook a chicken for chicken and dumplings! Here's a breakdown of how to bake a chicken for that purpose:

Baking a Chicken for Chicken and Dumplings

1. Choose Your Chicken:

* Whole Chicken: A whole chicken provides lots of meat and great flavor for your broth.

* Chicken Pieces: Chicken breasts, thighs, or legs will work too, but you might need to adjust cooking time.

2. Preparation:

* Rinse and Pat Dry: Rinse the chicken inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels.

* Season: Rub the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, etc.).

* Stuffing: If you want to stuff the chicken, make sure to use a stuffing that's cooked through and safe for poultry.

3. Baking:

* Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

* Roast: Place the chicken in a roasting pan and bake for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.

* Basting: You can baste the chicken with pan juices halfway through cooking to keep it moist.

4. Let it Rest:

* Cool: Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving it. This will allow the juices to redistribute.

5. Making the Broth:

* Save the Drippings: After carving the chicken, pour the pan juices into a large pot.

* Add Water: Add enough water to the pot to make about 6-8 cups of liquid.

* Simmer: Simmer the broth for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to meld. You can skim off any fat that rises to the top.

6. Make the Dumplings:

* There are lots of recipes for chicken and dumplings, but most involve making dough with flour, milk, and butter, then dropping the dough into the simmering broth.

Tips for Success:

* Use a Meat Thermometer: The most reliable way to know if your chicken is cooked through is with a meat thermometer.

* Don't Overcrowd the Pan: If you're using a whole chicken, make sure there's enough space in the roasting pan for air to circulate around it.

Enjoy your chicken and dumplings!