Dolly Parton’s Favorite Comfort Food Recipes

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

One of Dolly Parton’s go-to comfort food recipes is her homemade chicken and dumplings. This dish is the epitome of Southern comfort food, combining tender chicken with fluffy dumplings in a savory broth.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a large pot, bring the chicken and chicken broth to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool, then shred.
  2. In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
  3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter until a dough forms.
  4. Return shredded chicken to the pot, adding salt and pepper to taste. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering broth.
  5. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until dumplings are cooked through. Serve hot for a hearty meal.

Classic Southern Biscuits

No meal is complete without a side of Dolly Parton’s classic Southern biscuits. Flaky, buttery, and perfect for slathering with gravy or jam, these biscuits are a must-try.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add cold butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Stir in buttermilk until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times. Pat into a 1-inch thick round.
  6. Cut out biscuits using a floured biscuit cutter. Place on a baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm with butter or gravy.

Country-Fried Steak with Gravy

This hearty dish is a favorite in Dolly Parton’s kitchen. Country-fried steak is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, topped with a rich gravy that makes it a comforting meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 pieces of cube steak
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 1/4 cup flour (for gravy)
  • 2 cups milk (for gravy)
  • Salt and pepper to taste (for gravy)
• Instructions:
  1. In a shallow dish, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
  3. Dip each cube steak first in the egg mixture and then in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coat.
  4. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Fry the steaks until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and keep warm.
  5. For the gravy, add 1/4 cup of flour to the skillet drippings and whisk until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve the country-fried steak topped with the creamy gravy.

Peach Cobbler

Dolly Parton’s peach cobbler is a delightful dessert that showcases the sweetness of fresh peaches. This recipe is simple and yields a warm, comforting treat that’s perfect for any occasion.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup sugar, divided
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix sliced peaches with 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
  3. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Stir in milk and melted butter until smooth.
  4. Pour the batter over the peaches in the baking dish. Do not stir.
  5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Chocolate Gravy

Dolly Parton’s chocolate gravy is a unique Southern treat, often served over biscuits for a decadent breakfast or dessert. This sweet gravy is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover.

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Instructions:
  1. In a saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and flour until well combined.
  2. Gradually add milk while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
  3. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Serve warm over freshly baked biscuits for a delightful breakfast or dessert.

Collard Greens

No Southern meal is complete without a side of collard greens. Dolly Parton’s collard greens are seasoned to perfection and provide a nutritious and flavorful addition to any plate.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 pounds collard greens, washed and chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pot.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the collard greens and chicken broth. Stir in red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30-45 minutes, until greens are tender.
  5. Stir in the cooked bacon before serving for added flavor.

Banana Pudding

Dolly Parton’s banana pudding is a classic Southern dessert that layers creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and crunchy vanilla wafers. It’s a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 box vanilla wafers
  • 4 bananas, sliced
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups milk
  • 3 egg yolks, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whipped cream
• Instructions:
  1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually stir in milk.
  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in beaten egg yolks and vanilla.
  3. In a large dish, layer vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and pudding mixture. Repeat layers, finishing with pudding on top.
  4. Top with whipped cream. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Chicken and Dumplings

This hearty dish is a staple in Dolly’s kitchen, featuring tender chicken and fluffy dumplings simmered in a rich broth. It’s the perfect comfort food for family gatherings.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds)
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
• Instructions:
  1. In a large pot, add the whole chicken and cover with chicken broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, simmering until chicken is cooked through, about 1 hour.
  2. Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool. Shred the meat and return it to the pot along with the chopped onion, carrots, and celery.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter until just combined to form a dough.
  4. Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering broth. Cover and cook for about 15-20 minutes until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.

Fried Catfish

Dolly Parton’s fried catfish recipe is a delicious nod to Southern cuisine. Crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside, this dish is best served with homemade tartar sauce.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 pounds catfish fillets
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Oil for frying
• Instructions:
  1. Soak the catfish fillets in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to tenderize.
  2. In a shallow dish, mix together cornmeal, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge each fillet in the cornmeal mixture, coating evenly.
  4. Fry the fillets in hot oil for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels before serving.

Chocolate Gravy

This decadent chocolate gravy is a beloved Southern treat that Dolly often enjoys over biscuits for breakfast or dessert.

• Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Instructions:
  1. In a saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and flour until well combined.
  2. Gradually add milk while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
  3. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Serve warm over freshly baked biscuits for a delightful breakfast or dessert.

Conclusion

Dolly Parton’s favorite comfort food recipes offer a delightful glimpse into the culinary traditions that have shaped her life and career. From hearty dishes to sweet treats, each recipe reflects her warmth and love for family.

By sharing these cherished meals, Dolly not only connects fans with her Southern roots but also invites everyone to experience the joy of cooking and sharing food with loved ones.