On chilly evenings when the family gathers around the table, nothing warms the soul quite like a bowl of Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings. This copycat version captures the restaurant’s signature comfort with tender shredded chicken enveloped in a creamy, thickened broth and fluffy homemade dumplings that soak up every savory bite. The simplicity of the ingredients shines through, making it a go-to for weeknight dinners without sacrificing that homemade feel.
What draws people back to this dish is its versatility for busy schedules, as it comes together in just over an hour on the stovetop. Leftovers store easily in the fridge for a few days, reheating to restore their cozy texture. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent yet effortless, perfect for sharing stories over a hearty serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comforting Classic: Recreate the beloved Cracker Barrel taste at home with tender chicken and fluffy dumplings in a rich broth.
- Quick Prep Time: Ready in about an hour, ideal for busy moms juggling family meals without hours in the kitchen.
- Family Favorite: Hearty and satisfying, it brings everyone to the table with its warm, savory flavors and easy sharing.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores well for leftovers, saving time on those hectic weeknights.
Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings Ingredients
The ingredients in this Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings recipe come together to create a hearty, comforting dish where the chicken infuses the broth with deep flavor, and the simple dumpling dough adds a soft, pillowy contrast. Opting for fresh, quality chicken and vegetables ensures a richer taste that elevates the entire meal.
- Chicken broth: Forms the savory base that simmers the chicken and thickens into a creamy gravy-like consistency.
- Celery ribs: Adds subtle earthiness and aroma to the broth for balanced flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Onion: Provides a mild sweetness and depth to the cooking liquid, enhancing the overall comfort.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cooks quickly and shreds easily to create tender, juicy pieces throughout.
- All-purpose flour: Builds the structure for soft, chewy dumplings that hold up in the broth.
- Baking powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become light and fluffy during cooking.
- Salt: Seasons the dough and broth for enhanced taste in every bite.
- Milk: Binds the dumpling ingredients into a soft, workable dough without making it tough.
Note: The complete list of ingredients and exact measurements can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How to Make Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Broth Base
In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, celery halves, onion chunk, and halved chicken breasts, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook for about 15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through. This step builds a flavorful foundation while keeping the process straightforward.
Step 2: Make the Dumpling Dough
While the chicken simmers, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually stir in the milk to form a shaggy, soft dough, avoiding overmixing to keep the dumplings tender. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface for easy handling.
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Dumplings
Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness on the floured surface. Cut into 1- to 2-inch strips or squares with a pizza cutter or knife, creating bite-sized pieces ready for the broth. These simple cuts ensure even cooking and that classic flat dumpling style.
Step 4: Remove Chicken and Add Dumplings
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and discard the onion and celery from the pot. Gently add the raw dumpling strips one by one to the simmering broth, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook for 20 to 30 minutes until the dumplings are done and the broth thickens. This allows the starch from the dumplings to create the signature creamy texture.
Step 5: Shred Chicken and Season
Shred or chop the cooked chicken while the dumplings simmer, then return it to the pot to warm through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed for the final savory balance. Serve warm to enjoy the full comforting aroma and flavors.
Pro Tips for Success
- Avoid Overmixing Dough: Stir just until combined to ensure fluffy, tender dumplings that don’t become tough.
- Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low when adding dumplings to prevent breaking and allow even thickening of the broth.
- Taste Before Serving: Adjust salt and pepper gradually for personalized flavor that matches the classic taste.
- Use Fresh Broth: Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to control seasoning and enhance natural flavors.
How to Serve Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over each bowl of Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings for a pop of green color and herbal brightness that cuts through the richness. A light dusting of black pepper adds subtle heat, while a dollop of butter swirled in melts into the warm broth for extra silkiness. These simple touches make the dish feel even more inviting without much effort.
Side Dishes
Pairing Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings with a crisp green salad dressed in vinaigrette balances the hearty creaminess nicely. Steamed broccoli or carrots provide a fresh, colorful contrast that complements the savory chicken. For a Southern twist, buttered corn on the cob adds sweet crunch to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
I often serve Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings family-style in a large cast-iron pot right on the table for that cozy, rustic vibe. Layer it over mashed potatoes in individual bowls for a heartier presentation that soaks up the thickened broth. For kids, portion into colorful mugs with handles to make it fun and easy to sip during casual gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers of Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they keep well for up to three days. This helps maintain the tender texture of the chicken and dumplings without sogginess. Just portion into single servings for quick grab-and-go lunches.
Freezing
For longer storage, I freeze Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings in freezer-safe bags, pressing out air to avoid ice crystals, and it holds up for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve the soft dumpling consistency. This method is great for batch cooking on weekends.
Reheating
I reheat Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth if it thickens too much, which takes about 10 minutes. In the microwave, cover with a damp paper towel for even warming in 1- to 2-minute bursts to prevent drying. Either way, it revives the comforting warmth beautifully.
Print
Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A comforting copycat recipe for Cracker Barrel’s classic chicken and dumplings, featuring tender shredded chicken in a rich, thickened broth with soft, homemade dumplings.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Broth Base:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 celery ribs, broken in half
- ½ medium onion, kept in a large chunk
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, each cut in half
- For the Dumplings:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste (for final seasoning)
Instructions
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, celery halves, onion chunk, and halved chicken breasts. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover the pot, and cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until the chicken breasts are thoroughly cooked.
- While the chicken is simmering, prepare your dumpling dough. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually stir in the milk until a shaggy, soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
- With a pizza cutter or knife, cut the dough into strips or squares, roughly 1 to 2 inches in size. These will be your dumplings.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it to a cutting board. Discard the onion chunk and celery pieces from the pot.
- Add the raw dumpling strips, one by one, to the simmering broth. Cook for about 20-30 minutes, stirring gently and occasionally to prevent sticking. The dumplings will cook through and the broth will thicken to a gravy-like consistency.
- While the dumplings are cooking, shred or chop the cooked chicken and return it to the pot.
- Season the chicken and dumplings with salt and pepper to your preference. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting dish.
Notes
- This recipe mimics the creamy, hearty style of Cracker Barrel’s dish.
- Adjust seasoning to taste for the best flavor.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop.
