Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe 🥄🍲
Capture the essence of homestyle comfort with this delightful recipe for Chicken and Dumplings, inspired by Cracker Barrel’s classic dish. This recipe combines tender chicken with soft, pillowy dumplings in a savory broth, making it a perfect meal for cozy evenings. Ready to recreate this comforting classic at home? Here’s how!
This Cracker Barrel-inspired Chicken and Dumplings recipe is sure to bring the comfort of Southern cooking into your kitchen. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that’s a hit with families and perfect for any day of the week. Enjoy this taste of nostalgia with every spoonful!
Ingredients:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 ribs of celery, broken in half
- 1/2 medium onion, kept as a large chunk
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, each breast cut in half
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Broth:
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, celery ribs, and the chunk of onion. Add the halved chicken breasts.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Partially cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Make the Dumplings:
- While the chicken cooks, prepare your dumplings. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually stir in the milk, mixing just until the dough comes together into a shaggy form.
- Flour a work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the dough into strips or squares, about 1 to 2 inches in size.
- Cook the Dumplings:
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the pot along with the onion chunk and celery pieces. Discard the vegetables.
- Drop the dough pieces into the simmering broth. Let them simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dumplings are cooked and the broth thickens into a gravy-like consistency.
- Final Touches:
- While the dumplings are cooking, shred or chop the cooked chicken. Once the dumplings are done, return the chicken to the pot.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve Warm:
- Stir everything well and serve the chicken and dumplings warm for a comforting meal.
Tips:
- Consistency Adjustments: If your dumplings soak up too much broth, feel free to add a little more chicken broth or water to adjust the consistency as desired.
- Flavor Enhancements: Consider adding a pinch of herbs like thyme or parsley to the broth for added flavor.
- Storage: This dish can be refrigerated for up to three days and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
