Homemade Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe: A Comforting Classic
Equipment
- Dutch oven or large stock pot
- Medium mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 rotisserie chicken or 2 cups cooked chicken tenders, shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch for seasoning
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Organize your ingredients to streamline the cooking process, beginning with the chicken broth and ending with the seasoning elements, salt, and pepper.
Instructions
- Start by placing the chicken broth and butter in a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat. Bring the broth to a boil.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dumpling dough. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir in the buttermilk to form a soft dough. If the mixture is too sticky, add a bit more flour until it reaches the right consistency.
- Lightly dust a cutting board with flour. Turn the dough out onto the board and roll it flat, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into strips.
- Once the chicken broth is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Drop the dumplings in the broth one by one, ensuring they do not stick together.
- Allow the dumplings to cook in the simmering broth for 15-20 minutes, or until they are fluffy and cooked through.
- As the dumplings cook, take the pre-cooked chicken and shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Once the dumplings are done, add the shredded chicken to the pot, stirring gently to combine. Allow to heat through.
- Season the pot with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as necessary. If the broth needs thickening, a slurry of flour and water can be introduced to the pot.
- Continue to simmer the entire pot for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the chicken to become tender.
- Once everything is thoroughly combined and heated, the chicken and dumplings are ready to serve.
Notes
While enjoying the comfort of Cracker Barrel’s classic dish at home, consider these additional insights to enhance your cooking experience:
- Seasonal vegetables can be added to the pot for a nutritious twist; think summer squash in July or root vegetables in the fall.
- For a thicker broth, a flour slurry can be incorporated just before adding the dumplings to cook.
- Experiment with the dough by cutting it into strips or squares, depending on your preference for texture.
- Turn this recipe into a chicken pot pie by using the filling and topping it with a pie crust before baking.