Cozy Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

Memories of grandma’s kitchen drift through my mind whenever I think about this cracker barrel homemade chicken & dumplings recipe that feels like pure comfort.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated these hearty meals that warm hearts and souls.

Soft, pillowy dumplings swimming in rich, creamy broth create magic on dinner plates.

Tender chicken pieces nestled between delicate dough bring nostalgia with every savory bite.

My family always gets excited when this classic dish hits the table, knowing deliciousness awaits.

Simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary that connects generations through shared meals.

Gather your appetite and let’s dive into a recipe that promises pure, soul-satisfying goodness.

Ingredients for That Down-Home Dumpling Flavor

• Chicken: Hearty protein that forms the core of the dish, best when fresh and bone-in.
• Water: Creates the foundational broth for the recipe, pure and clean water recommended.
• Bay Leaves: Adds subtle herbal depth and aromatic complexity to the broth.
• Celery: Provides a light, fresh vegetable base with mild savory notes.
• Onion: Delivers a sweet and robust flavor to the base of the dish.

• Salt: Essential for enhancing overall flavor profile, sea salt or kosher salt preferred.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, sharp spiciness and complements the chicken's richness.

• Flour, Baking Powder, Salt: Core dry ingredients that create the dumpling's tender structure.
• Butter: Brings rich, creamy texture and helps create flaky dumpling consistency.
• Milk: Binds the dumpling dough and adds subtle creaminess.

• Butter, Flour: Used to create a roux for thickening the broth.
• Heavy Cream: Optional ingredient that adds luxurious smoothness to the final dish.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides bright color and fresh herbal garnish, completely optional.

How to Make Chicken & Dumplings from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Broth

• Whole chicken
• Water
• Bay leaves
• Celery
• Onion
• Salt
• Pepper

Boil, then simmer until chicken becomes super tender and fully cooked.

Step 2: Shred Chicken

Remove chicken from pot, let cool. Shred meat, discard skin and bones. Strain broth and return to pot.

Step 3: Create Dumpling Dough

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Cut in butter using pastry cutter or fingers until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add milk and stir until soft dough forms.

Step 4: Roll Out Dumplings

Dust surface with flour. Roll dough to quarter-inch thickness. Cut into long strips.

Step 5: Cook Dumplings

Bring broth to gentle boil. Drop dumpling strips one by one, stirring occasionally. Cover and simmer until dumplings become tender.

Step 6: Make Creamy Sauce

Melt butter in saucepan. Whisk in flour to create roux. Cook briefly. Slowly add roux to broth, stirring constantly until thickened. Add heavy cream.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Return shredded chicken to pot. Heat through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Pro Tips for Tender Chicken and Fluffy Dumplings

• Optimize Chicken Freshness: Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts or whole chicken for the most tender and flavorful results.
• Prevent Dumpling Sticking: Dust dumpling strips lightly with flour before dropping into broth to reduce clumping and ensure smooth separation.
• Boost Broth Depth: Add a chicken bouillon cube or dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Control Thickness Perfectly: Adjust roux consistency by slowly adding flour or broth to achieve your desired soup thickness without lumps.
• Modify for Dietary Needs: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or low-fat milk for lighter versions, and use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly option.

How to Store Dumplings Without Getting Soggy

• Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled dish to freezer-safe containers, where it can remain frozen for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Warm gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out and maintain creamy consistency. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure uniform warming.

Sides to Serve with Southern Comfort Food

• A chilled Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the rich, creamy chicken and dumplings, balancing the dish's heavy texture with bright, zesty notes.
• Prepare a light mixed greens salad with tangy vinaigrette to contrast the warm, comforting chicken and dumplings, adding freshness and acidity to the meal.
• Serve soft, warm buttermilk biscuits on the side to soak up the delicious broth, enhancing the traditional Southern dining experience with an extra layer of comfort.
• Pour a classic Southern sweet tea to complete the meal, its cool, sugary flavor perfectly matching the home-style warmth of the chicken and dumplings.

Variations on Classic Chicken & Dumplings

Gluten-Free Chicken & Dumplings: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and xanthan gum to maintain dough structure. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Low-Carb Cauliflower Dumplings: Substitute traditional flour dumplings with grated cauliflower mixed with eggs and almond flour. Reduce total carbohydrate content while maintaining dish’s comforting texture.

Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and replace butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine. Select plant-based alternatives that preserve the recipe’s rich, creamy consistency.

One-Pot Instant Pot Adaptation: Transfer all ingredients to electric pressure cooker. Reduce cooking time to 30 minutes, using manual pressure settings. Simplify preparation while maintaining authentic flavor profile.

Why Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings Hit the Spot

• A hearty, soul-warming dish that brings the cozy nostalgia of classic southern cooking right to your dinner table.
• Simple step-by-step instructions make this recipe approachable for home cooks of all skill levels, with no complicated techniques required.
• Takes around 2 hours total, with most of that time being hands-off simmering, allowing you to multitask while creating a delicious homemade meal.
• Delivers rich, satisfying flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, making it perfect for family dinners or weekend gatherings with loved ones.

Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cracker Barrel’s homemade chicken & dumplings comfort welcomes diners to southern culinary warmth. Rich, creamy broth and tender chicken nestled between pillowy dumplings create a heartwarming meal you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs or 1.8 kilograms) or 4-6 chicken thighs

Broth Ingredients:

• 8 cups (2 liters) water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Flour and Dumpling Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) milk

Soup Thickening and Finishing Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious pot with chicken, aromatic herbs, and vegetables, covering the ingredients with water to create a flavorful base.
2. Gently simmer the mixture over low heat until the chicken becomes incredibly tender and easily falls apart, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
3. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board, carefully removing skin and bones, then shred the meat into delicate pieces.
4. Strain the fragrant broth, returning the liquid to the original pot for further preparation.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, leavening agent, and a pinch of seasoning to create the dumpling foundation.
6. Incorporate cold butter into the dry ingredients, using fingertips or a specialized pastry tool to form a crumbly texture.
7. Pour milk into the mixture, gently blending until a soft, pliable dough emerges.
8. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll the dough to a uniform thickness, cutting into precise strips.
9. Bring the reserved broth to a gentle bubbling state, carefully introducing dumpling strips one by one.
10. Allow dumplings to simmer, occasionally stirring to prevent adhesion, until they become pillowy and fully cooked.
11. Create a smooth thickening agent by melting butter and whisking in flour to form a golden roux.
12. Slowly integrate the roux into the broth, stirring continuously to achieve a luxurious, velvety consistency.
13. Enhance the mixture with a splash of cream for added richness, if desired.
14. Reintroduce the shredded chicken, warming thoroughly and adjusting seasoning to personal preference.
15. Ladle the comforting dish into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs for a vibrant touch.

Notes

• Choose bone-in chicken for richer, more flavorful broth that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Experiment with low-sodium chicken stock instead of water to intensify the depth of flavor without excessive saltiness.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend and ensure baking powder is certified gluten-free.
• Reduce cooking time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, which cuts preparation to under an hour while maintaining delicious homestyle taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1.5 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg