Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Looking for a hearty meal that hits the spot? This Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings recipe is exactly what you need. It’s simple, tasty, and brings a bit of that Cracker Barrel goodness into your own kitchen. Perfect for a chill night in or when you’re feeding a crowd who loves good, comforting food.
Why you will love making Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
This Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings recipe is one of our favorites. Here’s why you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe:
- It’s comforting: This dish is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for those days when you need a little extra warmth and cheer.
- Simple ingredients: With basic ingredients that are likely already in your pantry or fridge, getting this meal started is a breeze.
- Family favorite: It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t love chicken and dumplings, making it a hit for any meal.
- Versatile: Serve it as a main dish or a side, with greens or a simple salad, and it’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Perfect for leftovers: If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they taste even better the next day after the flavors have melded together in the fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to make Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Ready to tackle this comforting classic? Here’s how you can make Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings at home, broken down into simple steps to ensure your success.
Cooking the Chicken
Start by adding the boneless skinless chicken breasts and chicken broth to a large pot. Bring it to a boil and let it cook for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Making the Dumplings
While the chicken is cooking, it’s time to focus on the dumplings. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a bit of salt. Then, cut in the butter with a fork or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually stir in the milk to form a dough.
Rolling and Cutting the Dough
Dust a clean work surface with flour, and roll out your dough until it’s thin. Then, grab a pizza cutter and cut the dough into uneven triangles. This doesn’t have to be perfect—the rustic shapes add to the charm of the dish.
Cooking the Dumplings
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the pot and start adding your dumplings one at a time. Let them cook until they float to the top, which should take about 15 minutes.
Bringing It All Together
While the dumplings are cooking, shred the chicken and add it back to the pot. Give it a good stir, adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper, and let everything simmer together for a few minutes.
Serve!
Ladle your chicken and dumplings into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Nailed the basic recipe? Great! Here are some insider tips to elevate your Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings to the next level:
- Don’t overmix the dough: For light and fluffy dumplings, mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined. Overworking it can lead to tough dumplings.
- Use cold butter: This makes the dumplings tender and flaky, similar to making pie crust or biscuits.
- Shred chicken finely: For a more uniform texture and to ensure every spoonful has a nice mix of chicken and dumplings.
- Adjust thickness to taste: If you prefer a thicker broth, you can remove a cup of the broth, mix it with a tablespoon of flour, then stir it back into the pot. For a thinner broth, just add a bit more chicken broth.
- Herbs: Adding a bit of chopped fresh thyme or rosemary to the dumplings can introduce a new layer of flavor.
- Taste as you go: Don’t forget to adjust the seasoning after adding the dumplings and chicken back to the pot. Everyone’s salt and pepper preference is different.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the dough for the dumplings ahead of time and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge for a day. Just roll and cut them right before you’re ready to cook.
- Milk: While whole milk gives the dumplings a rich flavor, you can use any type of milk you have on hand, including non-dairy alternatives. The texture might change slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
- Add vegetables: Carrots, celery, and peas are great options, fresh or frozen. Add them to the broth when you put the chicken back in to give them enough time to cook through.
- Make it lighter: For a lighter version, swap out the whole milk for a lower-fat version, or even use a light butter substitute. Just keep in mind that these changes might slightly alter the taste and texture of the final dish.
How to Store Leftover Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how to keep them tasting just as good the next day:
- Cool quickly and refrigerate: Let the chicken and dumplings cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Then, pop them in the fridge.
- Reheat gently: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them slowly over low heat on the stove. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if it seems a bit thick. This method helps keep the dumplings tender.
- Enjoy within a few days: For the best taste and safety, eat your leftovers within 3-4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze this dish, although the dumplings may be a bit softer once reheated. Cool the dish completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stove.
Our Top 3 Money Saving Tips for This Recipe
Here are some savvy ways to save money while still making a delicious meal:
- Buy chicken in bulk: It’s often cheaper to buy a larger quantity of chicken breasts, especially when they’re on sale. You can freeze what you don’t use for later.
- Use a rolling pin alternative: No need for a fancy rolling pin; a wine bottle or similar can work just as well for rolling out dough.
- DIY buttermilk: If a recipe calls for buttermilk (common in dumpling recipes), make your own with milk and a bit of vinegar or lemon juice instead of buying a whole carton.
What to Serve with Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Here are some ideas to complement the cozy comfort of this copycat recipe:
Cornbread
Cornbread and chicken and dumplings share a Southern heritage, making them perfect companions. Plus, this side dish is great for soaking up that delicious broth.
Green Beans
For a simple, classic side, you can’t go wrong with green beans. Whether you prefer them sautéed with a little garlic and almond slices or steamed and seasoned with salt and pepper, green beans add a nice texture and a pop of color to your plate.
Roasted Carrots
Roasted carrots, with their sweet, caramelized edges, offer a delightful sweetness that complements the savory depth of chicken and dumplings. Toss them with a bit of olive oil, salt, and a sprinkle of thyme before roasting for a simple, delicious side.
More Comfort Food Recipes You Will Love
- Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
- Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara Recipe
- Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Chicken Casserole Recipe
- The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
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Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons butter cut into small slices
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup whole milk
- Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Add the chicken breast and broth to a large pot and bring to a boil. Cook for 25 minutes, or until all the chicken is cooked through.1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, 6 cups chicken broth
- While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl. Then add in the butter with a fork or a pastry blender until incorporated. Stir in the milk until a dough is formed.2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 2 tablespoons butter, Salt and pepper, 1 cup whole milk
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and roll it thin with a rolling pin – cut it into uneven triangles with a pizza cutter.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and add the dumplings, one at a time, and cook until they begin to float – about 15 minutes.
- Shred the chicken and bring it back to the pot. Adjust salt and pepper based on your preference.
- Serve with fresh parsley and enjoy!Fresh Parsley
Notes
- Don’t overmix the dough: For light and fluffy dumplings, mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined. Overworking it can lead to tough dumplings.
- Use cold butter: This makes the dumplings tender and flaky, similar to making pie crust or biscuits.
- Shred chicken finely: For a more uniform texture and to ensure every spoonful has a nice mix of chicken and dumplings.
- Adjust thickness to taste: If you prefer a thicker broth, you can remove a cup of the broth, mix it with a tablespoon of flour, then stir it back into the pot. For a thinner broth, just add a bit more chicken broth.
- Herbs: Adding a bit of chopped fresh thyme or rosemary to the dumplings can introduce a new layer of flavor.
- Taste as you go: Don’t forget to adjust the seasoning after adding the dumplings and chicken back to the pot. Everyone’s salt and pepper preference is different.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the dough for the dumplings ahead of time and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge for a day. Just roll and cut them right before you’re ready to cook.
- Milk: While whole milk gives the dumplings a rich flavor, you can use any type of milk you have on hand, including non-dairy alternatives. The texture might change slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
- Add vegetables: Carrots, celery, and peas are great options, fresh or frozen. Add them to the broth when you put the chicken back in to give them enough time to cook through.
- Make it lighter: For a lighter version, swap out the whole milk for a lower-fat version, or even use a light butter substitute. Just keep in mind that these changes might slightly alter the taste and texture of the final dish.
Storage & Reheating
- Cool quickly and refrigerate: Let the chicken and dumplings cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Then, pop them in the fridge.
- Reheat gently: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them slowly over low heat on the stove. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if it seems a bit thick. This method helps keep the dumplings tender.
- Enjoy within a few days: For the best taste and safety, eat your leftovers within 3-4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze this dish, although the dumplings may be a bit softer once reheated. Cool the dish completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stove.
