Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
This Cracker Barrel-inspired Chicken and Dumplings recipe offers a comforting Southern classic featuring tender chicken breast simmered in a flavorful chicken broth with soft, fluffy dumplings made from scratch. Perfect for warming up on a chilly day, this dish combines simple ingredients with a traditional cooking method to create a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Author: Mila
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Chicken
- 2–3 cups cooked chicken breast, torn into bite-sized pieces
- 6 cups chicken broth
Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
- Heat the Broth: In a large pot, heat the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer to prepare the base for the dumplings.
- Make the Dumpling Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir in the milk until the mixture forms a smooth dough.
- Rest the Dough: Allow the dough to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, which helps relax the gluten for tender dumplings.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a generously floured board, roll out the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into ½-inch squares.
- Add Dumplings to Broth: Drop the dough squares carefully into the simmering broth, ensuring they don’t stick together.
- Simmer Dumplings: Let the dumplings cook by simmering for about 25 minutes, stirring often to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure even cooking.
- Add Chicken and Finish Cooking: Stir in the cooked chicken breast and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the flavors meld together.
Notes
- Use leftover roasted or poached chicken breast for an easy shortcut.
- Keep the broth at a gentle simmer to avoid dumplings breaking apart.
- If dough is too sticky, add a little more flour when rolling.
- Serve hot with a side of green vegetables or cornbread for a complete meal.
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to the broth.
Keywords: Chicken and Dumplings, Southern Comfort Food, Cracker Barrel, Homemade Dumplings, Chicken Broth, Easy Chicken Recipe