Grandma’s Hug: Soulful Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

Southern comfort shines through in this classic chicken and dumplings recipe that pays homage to traditional Cracker Barrel homemade chicken & dumplings.

Generations of cooks have perfected this soul-warming dish that speaks directly to the heart of comfort food.

Tender chicken simmers alongside soft, pillowy dumplings in a rich, creamy broth that promises pure satisfaction.

Every spoonful carries the warmth of home-cooked memories and authentic Southern cooking.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Comfort never tasted so good, and this dish is sure to become a treasured favorite at your dinner table.

Let’s uncover the secrets to making this beloved Southern classic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1.5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 6

Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings: Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken: Select bone-in chicken pieces for richer flavor and more tender meat, preferably organic or free-range for better taste and texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential for creating soft, pillowy dumplings with perfect texture and binding ability.
• Baking Powder: Provides light and airy lift to dumpling dough, ensuring fluffy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the dish's taste.
• Butter: Adds rich, creamy texture and creates flakier dumpling surface.
• Milk: Helps bind ingredients and creates smooth, tender dumpling dough.

• Bay Leaves: Infuse subtle herbal notes and depth to the chicken broth.
• Celery: Adds aromatic undertones and provides natural vegetable sweetness.
• Onion: Creates foundational savory flavor and enhances overall broth complexity.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle heat and complements chicken's natural taste.
• Heavy Cream: Optional ingredient for creating luxurious, velvety broth texture.

Tools for Classic Chicken & Dumplings at Home

• Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the base broth.
• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing dumpling dough ingredients.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Helps blend butter into flour mixture.
• Whisk: Crucial for mixing dry ingredients and creating smooth roux.
• Rolling pin: Needed to roll out dumpling dough evenly.
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter: Used to slice dumpling strips.
• Small saucepan: Helps create the roux for thickening broth.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and preventing dumplings from sticking.
• Cutting board: Provides surface for rolling and cutting dumplings.

Cooking Instructions for Chicken & Dumplings

• Poach the Chicken

Toss chicken, water, bay leaves, celery, onion, salt, and pepper into a large pot. Let everything dance together, simmering gently until the chicken becomes super tender and ready to fall apart.

• Shred and Prep

Pull the chicken out, letting it cool down. Tear it into delicious bite-sized pieces, tossing away the skin and bones. Strain theal broth and return it to the pot.

• Create Dumpling Dough

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Massage in butter until the mixture looks like sandy crumbs. Pour in milk and blend until a soft, pillowy dough forms.

• Shape and Drop Dumplings

Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Slice into rustic strips. Bring the broth to a gentle bubble and carefully drop in the dumpling strips, stirring occasionally to keep them from getting clingy.

• Simmer and Thicken

Cover and let the dumplings cook until they’re perfectly tender. Whip up a quick roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Slowly stir this into the broth to create a luxurious, creamy texture.

• Final Touch and Serve

Mix the shredded chicken back into the pot, warming everything through. Season with extra salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Comfort Food Tips for Chicken & Dumplings

• Add a splash of white wine or chicken stock instead of water for deeper, richer flavor complexity.
• Prepare the chicken and broth a day in advance, allowing flavors to develop and making dinnertime a breeze.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this classic comfort dish.
• Replace butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine, and use unsweetened almond milk to create a lactose-free version that doesn't compromise on taste.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding diced carrots or peas during the final simmering stage, introducing extra color and vitamins to the classic recipe.

Serve Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings Warm

• Cozy Family Dinner: Pair this hearty chicken and dumplings with warm buttermilk biscuits for a complete Southern-style meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Vegetable Companion: Add a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables on the side to balance the rich, creamy texture of the dish and provide extra nutrition.
• Comfort Food Presentation: Serve in deep ceramic bowls with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley on top, creating a rustic and inviting table setting that makes everyone feel right at home.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Choose a light, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the dish's richness and complement its comforting flavors.

Best Storage for Chicken & Dumplings Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Chicken and dumplings stay delicious for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below.
• Transfer cooled dish to freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months for future quick meals. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently.
• Warm gently in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent dumplings from becoming dry or tough.
• Divide recipe into individual meal-sized containers. This makes grab-and-go lunches easier and prevents unnecessary waste while maintaining optimal taste and texture.

FAQs

• What are dumplings in this recipe?

Dumplings are soft, pillowy strips of dough made from flour, butter, milk, baking powder, and salt, then cooked directly in the chicken broth until tender and puffy.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of whole chicken?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken breasts or thighs. They’ll work perfectly and cook faster than a whole chicken, reducing the overall preparation time.

• How do I know when the dumplings are fully cooked?

The dumplings are done when they become tender and slightly puffy, usually after 15-20 minutes of simmering in the broth. They should look soft and no longer have a raw dough appearance.

• Is a roux necessary for this recipe?

The roux helps thicken the broth and gives the dish a richer, more velvety texture. It’s made by cooking flour and butter together, which creates a smooth base for the creamy chicken and dumplings.

Hearty Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken & Dumplings immerse home cooks in Southern comfort cuisine. Rich, hearty broth embraces tender chicken and pillowy dumplings that connect you with cherished family traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 whole chicken (4 lbs or 1.8 kg) or 4-6 chicken thighs
• 8 cups (2 L) water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 celery stalks (roughly chopped)
• 1 medium onion (quartered)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsps (45 g) unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
• ¾ cup (180 mL) milk
• 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 mL) heavy cream (optional)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Broth Foundation: Combine chicken, herbs, and vegetables in a spacious pot, covering with water to create a rich, aromatic liquid base.
2. Chicken Preparation: Simmer the mixture on low heat until chicken becomes supremely tender, approximately 1-1.5 hours. Remove chicken, discard skin and bones, then meticulously shred meat into delicate pieces.
3. Broth Refinement: Strain the concentrated broth, returning liquid to the original pot for subsequent steps.
4. Dumpling Creation: Blend flour, leavening agent, and seasonings in a mixing bowl. Integrate cold butter using fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Introduce milk, gently combining to form a soft, cohesive dough.
5. Dumpling Technique: Dust work surface with flour, roll dough to uniform thickness, and slice into precise strips. Bring reserved broth to a gentle simmer, carefully adding dumpling strips and cooking until they become light and fluffy.
6. Sauce Elevation: Craft a golden roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Gradually incorporate roux into broth, stirring continuously to develop a silky, luxurious texture. Optional: enrich with a splash of cream.
7. Final Assembly: Reintroduce shredded chicken to the pot, warming thoroughly and seasoning to taste. Transfer to serving bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs for a vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Optimize Chicken Tenderness: Slow-cook chicken at low temperature to ensure meat falls apart easily and absorbs maximum flavor from herbs and vegetables.
• Perfect Dumpling Texture: Use cold butter and minimal handling to create light, fluffy dumplings that won’t become tough or dense when cooking.
• Prevent Dumpling Sticking: Stir gently and consistently while adding dumplings to broth, ensuring they don’t clump or adhere to pot’s bottom.
• Achieve Creamy Consistency: Whisk roux gradually into broth, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and create smooth, rich sauce without separation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg