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Place the chicken in a Dutch oven. Add the water and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil.
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Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1 hour or until the chicken is tender (It should almost fall off bone).
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Remove the chicken from the broth and cool. Bone the chicken and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.
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Bring the broth to a boil and add pepper.
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Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening. Add the buttermilk, stirring with a fork until moistened.
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Knead the dough 4 to 5 times (never done), and pat to 1/2-inch pieces and drop into the 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.
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Add the chicken back in and serve it up.