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Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings (Copycat)

A cozy, comforting dish that's easy to prepare at home, capturing the essence of Cracker Barrel's classic chicken and dumplings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs Use thighs for extra tenderness.
  • 8 cups chicken broth, plus extra as needed Keep the broth warm.
  • 1 cup milk Add a splash at the end for creaminess if desired.
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided Use extra flour to dust the counter and for the dumpling mixture.
  • 6 tablespoons cold butter Cut into the flour to form coarse crumbs.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Adjust to taste.
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional) For serving.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Add chicken and broth to a large pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove chicken to cool slightly, then shred or chop into bite-size pieces. Keep broth warm.
  2. In a bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add milk and stir just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  3. Dust your counter with the remaining 1 cup flour. Turn dough onto the flour and gently pat or roll to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 1 inch by 2 inch strips and lightly dust the strips with the extra flour.
Cooking
  1. Bring the broth to a low boil. Drop in dumplings a few at a time, stirring gently so they don’t clump. Lower heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, about 15 minutes. Dumplings should look set and slightly puffed.
  2. Stir in the shredded chicken, add pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and more salt if needed. Simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until everything is cozy and slightly thickened.
  3. If you like a creamier feel, splash in a little milk or cream at the end. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Keep the simmer gentle to prevent dumplings from falling apart. Taste the broth at the end for seasoning adjustments. Dumplings soak up flavor, so a pinch of salt and pepper right before serving enhances the taste.