Delicious Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Thereโs nothing quite like a bowl of warm, comforting chicken and dumplings, especially when itโs a Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings recipe that brings the flavors of your favorite restaurant right into your kitchen.
This dish captures the essence of Southern comfort food, with tender pieces of chicken and soft, pillowy dumplings soaking up a savory broth that thickens into a rich gravy.
Perfect for any time you crave a home-cooked meal that soothes the soul, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and time but delivers maximum flavor and nostalgia. It’s ideal for a family dinner, a cozy night in, or impressing guests with your homemade cooking skills.
Whether you have fond memories of dining at Cracker Barrel or are simply on the hunt for a hearty and satisfying dish, this Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings is sure to hit the spot. Ready in just 40 minutes, itโs an easy recipe thatโs destined to become a regular part of your meal rotation.
Key Ingredients for Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Broth โ Forms the flavorful base for cooking the chicken and dumplings, imparting a savory depth to the dish.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts โ Provides tender, juicy pieces of chicken that are easy to shred or chop once cooked.
All-Purpose Flour โ The foundation of the dumplings, creating that soft, doughy texture we all love.
Baking Powder โ Gives the dumplings a bit of rise, ensuring they are light and fluffy.
Milk โ Combines with the dry ingredients to form a shaggy dough, crucial for the dumplings‘ texture.
Celery and Onion โ Adds aromatic flavor to the broth, enriching the overall taste of the dish.
Simple Steps to Make Your Dumplings
In a stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, celery, onion, and chicken breasts. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and let simmer partially covered for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
While the chicken simmers, prepare the dumpling dough by mixing flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in the milk until it forms a shaggy dough.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface, roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness, and cut into strips or squares using a pizza cutter.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot along with the onion and celery, discarding the vegetables.
Add the dough strips to the simmering broth, letting them cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dumplings are soft and the broth thickens.
While the dumplings are cooking, shred or chop the chicken and return it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve the dish warm.
Helpful Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings
Avoid Overworking the Dough: Mix the dumpling dough just until combined to prevent the dumplings from becoming tough.
Keep the Broth at a Gentle Simmer: A rolling boil can cause the dumplings to break apart; simmer gently to maintain their shape and texture.
Use a Pizza Cutter for Even Dumpling Sizes: This tool makes it easy to cut the dough into uniform pieces, ensuring they cook evenly.
Delicious Variations to Try
If you want to add a twist to your Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings, try using a mix of dark and white meat for added flavor, or swap the chicken for turkey for a post-holiday dish. Adding vegetables like peas, carrots, or mushrooms can transform this dish into a hearty one-pot meal. Serve with a side of steamed greens or a fresh salad to complement the rich flavors of the dish.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
To store leftovers, place the chicken and dumplings in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze in individual portions for up to two months. Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to maintain the desired consistency, or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to evenly distribute heat.
Enjoy your Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings and savor every bite of this comforting classic!
Delicious Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
This recipe replicates the beloved Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings, offering a comforting, homemade meal that brings the warmth of traditional Southern cooking right to your table.
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb boneless (skinless chicken breasts, halved)
- 2 ribs of celery (broken in half)
- 1/2 medium onion (kept as a whole chunk)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, celery, onion, and chicken breasts. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover partially and cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. While the chicken is cooking, begin preparing the dumplings.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, blend the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir in the milk until the ingredients are just combined into a shaggy dough.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and roll it out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut the dough into strips or squares, roughly 1 to 2 inches in size, using a pizza cutter.
- Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove it from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Discard the celery and onion from the broth.
- Add the dough strips to the simmering broth, stirring occasionally. Let them simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked and the broth has thickened to a gravy-like consistency.
- While the dumplings are cooking, shred or chop the chicken, then return it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve the dish warm.
If you prefer to use pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken, simmer the onion, celery, and dumplings in the broth simultaneously. Remove the onion and celery, then add the shredded or chopped chicken in the last 5 minutes of cooking to warm it through.