Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken & Dumplings
Enjoy a comforting bowl of tender chicken and soft dumplings in a rich, savory broth, reminiscent of the classic dish from Cracker Barrel.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
Scale
For the Broth and Chicken:
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 celery stalks, halved
- 1 small onion, peeled and quartered
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- 1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Prepare the Broth:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, halved celery stalks, and quartered onion.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken breasts, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken, celery, and onion from the pot. Discard the vegetables.
- Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Make the Dumplings:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Using a fork or pastry blender, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pour in the buttermilk and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll out to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into 1-2 inch squares using a knife or pizza cutter.
- Cook the Dumplings:
- Bring the broth back to a gentle boil.
- Drop the dumplings into the broth one at a time, stirring gently to prevent sticking.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and tender.
- Combine and Serve:
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot with the dumplings.
- Stir gently to combine and heat through for about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a creamier broth, consider adding a splash of heavy cream before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a bit of broth if needed.