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Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

  • Author: Avery
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Description

This Cracker Barrel–inspired Chicken and Dumplings is cozy, creamy, and loaded with tender chicken, soft veggies, and fluffy drop dumplings. It brings all the comfort of a country-style restaurant favorite straight to your own kitchen, using simple pantry staples and a single pot for an easy, hearty family meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken breasts in a large pot and pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  2. Using tongs, remove the chicken to a plate and let it cool slightly. Keep the broth in the pot; this will be the base for your soup and dumplings.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper for the dumplings.
  4. In a separate small bowl, stir together the milk and melted butter. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  5. Return to the pot with the reserved broth and add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, dried thyme, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  6. While the vegetables are starting to soften, shred the cooled chicken with two forks into bite-sized pieces.
  7. Add the shredded chicken back into the simmering broth and stir to combine, adjusting seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Using a spoon or small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough directly into the simmering broth, spacing them slightly apart. Do not stir once the dumplings are added.
  9. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 15–20 minutes at a gentle simmer, until the dumplings are puffed, fluffy, and cooked through in the center.
  10. Remove the lid, give the broth around the dumplings a gentle stir (without breaking them up), and taste for seasoning. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Use low-sodium chicken broth so you can better control the salt level at the end.
  • Keep the simmer gentle once the dumplings are in; boiling too hard can break them apart.
  • If the broth thickens too much, stir in a splash of extra broth or water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 generous serving (about 1/6 of recipe)
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 780 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 105 mg

Keywords: cracker barrel chicken and dumplings, copycat chicken and dumplings, country chicken and dumplings, comfort food, one-pot meal

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Find it online: https://averyrecipes.com/cracker-barrel-chicken-and-dumplings/