Chicken and Dumplings Like Cracker Barrel's

Recreate the comforting, homestyle magic of Cracker Barrel with this "Chicken and Dumplings" recipe that’s as hearty as it is nostalgic. Perfectly tender pieces of shredded chicken swim in a velvety, flavorful broth alongside fluffy, handmade dumplings that puff up beautifully as they cook. From rolling out squares of soft dough to simmering the chicken in a savory broth spiced with salt and pepper, every step captures the rustic charm of this Southern classic. Ready in just over an hour, this recipe is ideal for cozy family dinners or a taste of home on a chilly night. Pair it with a side of green beans or cornbread for the ultimate soul-warming meal. Bring a beloved restaurant favorite to your kitchen with this easy, satisfying dish!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 6 cups Chicken broth
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt (for dough)
• 3 tablespoons Shortening (or unsalted butter)
• 0.75 cups Milk
• 1 teaspoons Salt (for broth)
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 4 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

Place the chicken breasts in a large pot. Add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Step 2

Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and set them aside to cool. Reserve the cooking liquid for later use.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and 0.5 teaspoons of salt. Stir until well mixed.

Step 4

Cut the shortening (or unsalted butter) into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 5

Gradually add the milk to the flour mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.

Step 6

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into 1x1-inch squares. Set the dumplings aside.

Step 7

Shred the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 8

In the same pot, combine the reserved cooking liquid with 6 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 0.5 teaspoons of pepper.

Step 9

Drop the dumplings one at a time into the boiling broth to prevent them from sticking together. Stir gently to ensure even cooking.

Step 10

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the dumplings cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The dumplings should puff up slightly and become tender.

Step 11

Add the shredded chicken back into the pot and stir gently to combine. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to heat the chicken through.

Step 12

Serve the chicken and dumplings hot in bowls with a ladle of creamy broth. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3227.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1955.5

Total Fat 52.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 403.6mg	0%
Sodium 7176.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 200.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.8g	0%
Total Sugars 12.6g
Protein 158.5g	0%

Vitamin D 125.8IU	0%
Calcium 477.5mg	0%
Iron 18.3mg	0%
Potassium 2672.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.7%

Protein: 33.3%

Carbs: 42.0%