Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Name: Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken and Dumplings
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: Southern, American
Ingredients: 1 (3 to 4-pound) whole young chicken; 3 ribs celery, each cut into 3 large pieces; 1 large onion, peeled and quartered; 1 tablespoon chicken base (like Better Than Bouillon) ((or 3 chicken boulllion cubes)); 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups all-purpose flour (see note); 3/4 cup ice water; 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup; 3 tablespoons cornstarch (optional)