Craving a taste of Southern comfort? Dive into a bowl of Cracker Barrel Chicken n’ Dumplins, a dish that brings the essence of homestyle cooking right to your kitchen. This recipe captures the simple yet satisfying flavors of tender chicken and soft, pillowy dumplings, all simmered in a savory broth. It’s the perfect meal to gather around the table for a true comfort food classic that’s sure to warm your heart and fill your stomach.
A Taste of Tradition with Every Spoonful
This Chicken n’ Dumplins recipe offers a generous serving of nostalgia, reminiscent of meals enjoyed at Cracker Barrel or lovingly prepared in a family kitchen. The process is straightforward but requires a bit of love and patience, resulting in a dish that feels both celebratory and comforting.
Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken n’ Dumplins
- Tender Chicken: Cooking the chicken slowly and gently is key to achieving tender, flavorful meat. Let it simmer until it practically falls off the bone for the best texture.
- Rich Broth: The broth gains flavor from the chicken as it cooks, but feel free to enhance it with a bay leaf or some poultry seasoning for an extra layer of flavor.
- Dumpling Dough: The dough should be soft but not too sticky. If it’s too wet, add a little more flour until it reaches the right consistency for rolling and cutting.
- Cutting Dumplings: Keep the dumplings uniform in size so they cook evenly. Smaller dumplings mean more surface area for the delicious broth to cling to.
- Gentle Boiling: When cooking the dumplings, a gentle boil is best to keep them from disintegrating. Stir them carefully to avoid breaking them apart.
Cracker Barrel Chicken n’ Dumplins Recipe:
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Serving: 6 servings
- Equipment: Large pot, rolling pin
Get ready for a dish that’s comforting, filling, and made with a lot of heart—perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients:
- For the Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken, about 4 lbs, cut into pieces
- 2 quarts water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup milk
Directions:
- Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, place chicken pieces and cover with 2 quarts of water. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender.
- Prepare the Broth and Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot, strain the broth, and shred the meat. Return the shredded chicken to the broth and keep warm.
- Make the Dumplings: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add melted butter and milk to form a soft dough. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into strips and then into squares.
- Cook the Dumplings: Bring the chicken broth to a boil. Drop dumplings into the boiling broth, stirring gently. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through.
- Serve: Dish out the Chicken n’ Dumplins hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.
A Dish to Remember
Cracker Barrel Chicken n’ Dumplins isn’t just a meal—it’s a warm embrace in edible form. Serve this dish to loved ones and watch as it becomes a requested favorite, perfect for those days when only the heartiest, most comforting meal will do. Whether it’s a chilly evening or a family gathering, this recipe is sure to satisfy.
