Perfect Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe – Homestyle Joy

Cracker barrel chicken and dumplings transport you to a world of culinary nostalgia with their soul-soothing essence.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this classic comfort meal that warms hearts and satisfies hunger.

Generations of families have gathered around tables, sharing stories over steaming bowls of this delectable dish.

Smooth, pillowy dumplings mingle with succulent chicken pieces in a velvety broth that whispers of home-cooked traditions.

Carefully crafted ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Each spoonful promises a connection to cherished memories and genuine home cooking.

This recipe offers a delightful journey into comfort food that nourishes both body and spirit.

Tricks to Nailing the Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Texture

• Master the Broth: Simmer vegetables low and slow to extract maximum flavor before adding chicken, ensuring a rich, deep-bodied base for your dumplings.
• Create Fluffy Dumplings: Handle dough gently and avoid overmixing to prevent tough, dense dumplings; mix just until ingredients are combined for light, tender results.
• Perfect Dough Thickness: Roll dough to a consistent 1/4 inch thickness for even cooking and ideal dumpling texture that's neither too thin nor too thick.
• Gentle Cooking Technique: Drop dumplings carefully into simmering broth and avoid stirring too frequently to maintain their delicate shape and prevent breaking.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of heavy cream or a pat of butter at the end to create a more luxurious, velvety sauce that coats the chicken and dumplings beautifully.

How to Keep Chicken and Dumplings Warm and Delicious Later

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled chicken and dumplings into an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the seal is tight to maintain freshness and prevent flavor loss.
• Reheating on Stovetop: Gently warm the dish over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent dumplings from becoming dry. Stir carefully to maintain the dumplings' delicate texture and distribute heat evenly.
• Freezing Option: Carefully pack leftovers in a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Opt for a light Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the dish's creamy, savory chicken and dumpling flavors. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness, creating a balanced dining experience.
• Match with Rustic Bread: Serve warm, crusty sourdough or French bread on the side. These breads help soak up the delicious broth and provide a satisfying textural contrast to the soft dumplings.
• Fresh Green Salad Companion: Create a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette. The salad's crispness and tangy dressing provide a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty, comforting chicken and dumplings.
• Southern-Style Sweet Tea: Embrace the Cracker Barrel roots by pairing the dish with a cold, sweet iced tea. Its sugary notes and refreshing temperature balance the warm, rich chicken stew perfectly.

Different Takes on Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

• Country Kitchen Comfort: Replace chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken for deeper flavor and easier preparation. Enhance the broth with a splash of white wine or fresh thyme leaves for a rustic touch.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use cornstarch as a thickening agent and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diners.
• Creamy Southern Style: Add heavy cream or half-and-half to the broth for a richer, more luxurious texture. Include grated parmesan cheese during the final stirring to create a velvety, indulgent base that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Spicy Southwestern Spin: Mix in diced green chiles, ground cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Top with chopped cilantro and serve with a side of cornbread for a zesty regional variation that brings heat and excitement to the classic dish.

Why Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Feels Like Home

• Comfort Food Champion: A heartwarming dish that wraps you in nostalgic Southern-style cooking, delivering pure comfort with every spoonful of tender chicken and pillowy dumplings.
• Quick and Simple Cooking: Easily prepared in just 30 minutes, this recipe requires minimal cooking skills and basic ingredients, making it perfect for busy home cooks wanting a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Protein-Packed Nutrition: Offers a balanced meal with 22 grams of protein, helping to keep you full and satisfied while providing essential nutrients from chicken and wholesome ingredients.
• Versatile Family Pleaser: Adaptable for different occasions from weeknight dinners to cozy weekend meals, this classic recipe appeals to both kids and adults with its creamy texture and satisfying flavor profile.

What You’ll Need for Chicken and Dumplings à la Cracker Barrel

• Chicken Breasts: Tender white meat providing the main protein for the dish, look for plump and fresh cuts.
• Chicken Broth: Rich liquid base for cooking and adding depth of flavor, choose low-sodium for better control of saltiness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental component creating the dumplings structure, select unbleached flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder: Crucial leavening agent ensuring light and fluffy dumplings, check for freshness before using.
• Salt: Essential seasoning enhancing overall taste, use fine table salt for even distribution.
• Milk: Binding liquid that helps create smooth dumpling dough, whole milk provides better richness.

• Celery, Onion: Foundational vegetables adding subtle background flavor and depth to the broth, choose fresh and crisp produce.
• Butter: Optional enriching ingredient for additional creaminess and luxurious finish, use unsalted for precise seasoning control.
• Black Pepper: Complementary spice for final seasoning adjustment, freshly ground pepper offers more vibrant taste.

Cooking Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings at Home

Step 1: Prepare the Broth Base

• Chopped celery
• Chopped onion

Simmer until vegetables start to soften. Add chicken breasts and cook for 15 minutes until tender. Remove chicken, shred into pieces, and set aside.

Step 2: Mix Dumpling Dough

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gradually pour in milk while stirring to create a soft, pliable dough.

Step 3: Shape and Cook Dumplings

Dust a clean surface with flour. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into small squares or desired shapes. Gently drop dumplings into the simmering broth one at a time. Stir occasionally and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Combine and Season

• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: butter for extra creaminess

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the chicken and dumplings into serving bowls. Optional: Sprinkle with fresh herbs for added brightness and flavor.

Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings deliver Southern comfort with creamy, hearty goodness straight from Grandma’s kitchen. Home cooks can savor this classic American recipe that promises warmth and nostalgia in each spoonful, inviting you to enjoy a timeless culinary tradition.

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Ingredients

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Primary Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb or 454 grams each)

Liquid and Broth Components:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) + 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons butter

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:

• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 medium onion (halved)
• 2 ribs celery (halved)
• Fresh herbs (such as parsley or thyme, for garnish – optional)

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Instructions

1. In a large stockpot, combine chicken broth (32 fluid ounces / 946 milliliters), diced celery (/ 75 grams), and chopped onion (/ 75 grams). Heat the mixture over medium temperature until it reaches a gentle simmer.
2. Carefully place whole chicken breasts into the simmering liquid. Cook for approximately 15-18 minutes, ensuring the meat becomes completely tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
3. Remove chicken from the broth and transfer to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then set aside while maintaining a warm temperature.
4. Prepare the dumpling mixture by combining all-purpose flour (/ 240 grams), baking powder (), and salt () in a medium mixing bowl.
5. Gradually pour milk (/ 240 milliliters) into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously until a soft, cohesive dough forms. The consistency should be slightly sticky but manageable.
6. Lightly dust a clean work surface with additional flour. Gently roll out the dumpling dough to approximately 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) thickness using a rolling pin.
7. Cut the rolled dough into small, uniform squares measuring roughly 1 inch by 1 inch (2.5 centimeters by 2.5 centimeters) using a sharp knife or pastry cutter.
8. Carefully drop each dumpling into the simmering broth, ensuring they do not overlap. Stir gently to prevent sticking, then cover the pot and allow to cook for 12-15 minutes until dumplings are fully cooked and slightly puffy.
9. Reintroduce the shredded chicken to the pot, stirring gently to distribute evenly throughout the broth and dumplings. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as desired.
10. Optional: Enhance richness by stirring in of unsalted butter until melted and incorporated.
11. Ladle the chicken and dumplings into serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a generous amount of broth, chicken, and dumplings. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley or chives for added flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

• Prep this comforting classic when craving a hearty, homestyle meal that reminds you of grandma’s cooking.
• Tender chicken and pillowy dumplings create a soul-warming dish perfect for chilly evenings or when needing culinary comfort.
• Shredding chicken by hand ensures rustic texture and allows meat to absorb rich, savory broth more effectively.
• Cutting dumplings into irregular shapes adds charming, homemade appeal and prevents overly uniform appearance.
• Simmering dumplings directly in broth infuses them with deep, complex flavors that elevate this traditional Southern recipe.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 360 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 51g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 70mg