Depression-Era Chicken dishes

1. Depression-Era Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (or whatever you have)
• 4 cups chicken broth (homemade if possible)
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup milk or water
• 2 tbsp butter or lard

Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring chicken broth and water to a simmer. Add shredded chicken.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter or lard.
3. Stir in milk (or water) until dough forms. Roll out and cut into strips or drop by spoonfuls into the broth.
4. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, then cover and cook for another 10 minutes. Serve hot!

2. Poor Man’s Chicken & Rice Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice (uncooked)
• 2 cups chicken broth or water
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1-2 chicken thighs or drumsticks
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish.
2. In the dish, mix rice, broth, soup, and onion.
3. Place chicken pieces on top and season well.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour or until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
5. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes to crisp the chicken. Serve!

3. Great Depression Fried Chicken (Without Expensive Oil!)

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks are cheapest)
• ½ cup flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ cup bacon grease, lard, or butter (for frying)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture, coating well.
3. Heat bacon grease (or lard/butter) in a pan over medium heat.
4. Fry chicken, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (about 30 minutes).
5. Drain on paper towels and serve.

4. Stretch-It-Out Chicken & Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken (use less if needed)
• 4 cups water or homemade broth
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can beans (or whatever you have)
• Salt, pepper, and any dried herbs on hand

Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring water or broth to a boil.
2. Add potatoes, carrots, and onion. Simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in chicken and beans. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
4. Let simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Serve warm with bread or crackers.

5. No-Waste Chicken Bone Broth Soup

Ingredients:

• Leftover chicken bones/carcass
• 8 cups water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped (or whatever scraps you have)
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Place chicken bones in a pot and cover with water.
2. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and let simmer for at least 2 hours (longer for richer broth).
4. Strain out bones and vegetables. Use as a base for soups or sip as-is!

These recipes are simple, use minimal ingredients, and are designed to stretch your food budget—just like people did during the Great Depression.