Chicken and Dumplings like Cracker Barrel

INGREDIENTS:

4 pounds whole frying chicken
2 quarts water
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup buttermilk

DIRECTIONS:

Place chicken in a Dutch oven. Add water and 2 tsp. salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1 hour or until tender (should almost fall off bone). 

Remove the chicken from the broth and cool. Bone the chicken and cut meat into bite-sized pieces. Bring the broth to a boil and add pepper. 

For Dumplings: Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening. Add the buttermilk, stirring with a fork until moistened. 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. Stir in the chicken and serve. 

COOK'S NOTES:

you can make it in the pressure cooker, much quicker and easier. you can pressure it for only 30 minutes