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Cracker Barrel’s Chicken and Dumplings

Cracker Barrel’s Chicken and Dumplings
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Cracker Barrel’s Chicken and Dumplings is a comforting Southern classic featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy broth with fluffy homemade dumplings. This wholesome, soul-warming dish combines simple pantry ingredients to create a hearty meal perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Broth

  • Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or breasts – about 2 lbs
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh herbs (thyme or parsley), for seasoning

Dumplings

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for GF option)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup milk or heavy cream (or coconut/almond milk for dairy-free option)

Optional Add-Ins

  • Carrots, peas, or green beans (for vegetable boost)
  • Cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (for a spicy kick)
  • Fresh rosemary or sage (for herb infusion)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: In a large pot, combine chicken, chicken broth, chopped onions, and celery. Simmer gently to infuse the chicken with flavors while creating a savory base for the dumplings.
  2. Make the Dumpling Dough: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk or cream until a thick, soft dough forms.
  3. Cook the Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering chicken broth. Cover the pot and let the dumplings steam for about 15 minutes, until they puff up and become tender and fluffy.
  4. Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the pot, shred into bite-sized pieces, and return the chicken to the pot to combine with the broth and dumplings.
  5. Final Seasoning and Simmer: Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs to taste. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken for richer flavor and broth depth.
  • Do not overmix the dumpling dough to keep dumplings light and fluffy.
  • Cover the pot while cooking dumplings to trap steam and ensure perfect texture.
  • Removing chicken skin reduces fat without sacrificing flavor.
  • Add fresh parsley or thyme at the end to brighten flavors.
  • To keep dumplings gluten-free, substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour blends.
  • For a dairy-free version, use coconut or almond milk instead of cream or regular milk.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water to restore creamy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken and Dumplings, Southern Comfort Food, Cracker Barrel Copycat, Homemade Dumplings, Cozy Dinner, Chicken Stew

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/cracker-barrels-chicken-and-dumplings/