Y’all know I love Cracker Barrel Recipes! And I LOVE recreating these delicious dishes at home. Today I’m sharing my Copycat Cracker Barrel Recipe Chicken and Dumplings.
Cracker Barrel has long been a beloved restaurant chain known for its comforting and homestyle Southern cuisine. One of their most iconic dishes is Chicken and Dumplings, a hearty and flavorful comfort food that warms the soul.
Do you love Cracker Barrel recipes as much as I do?
Check out these delicious copycat Cracker Barrel recipes: Creamy Cracker Barrel Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe, Hashbrown Casserole- Cracker Barrel Copy Cat Recipe, and Easy Chicken Tenderloins Recipe – Just like Cracker Barrel.
Table of Contents
Looking for a recipe you can set and forget? Then you may prefer my Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings with Biscuits Recipe!
The Secret to Perfect Chicken and Dumplings
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about what makes Cracker Barrel’s Chicken and Dumplings so special. It’s all about the balance of flavors, the tender chicken, and the soft, fluffy dumplings that melt in your mouth. Here’s what you’ll need to make this magic happen:
Ingredients for Copycat Cracker Barrel Recipe Chicken and Dumplings
For the Chicken Stew:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Step by Step Instructions
- Cook the Chicken First
- In a large pot, combine chicken thighs, chicken broth, water, onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt, pepper, thyme, and sage.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken
- Remove the chicken from the pot, shred it using two forks, and return it to the pot.
- Thicken the Chicken into a Stew
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and flour until smooth.
- Pour this mixture into the pot with the chicken, stirring to combine.
- Simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the stew thickens slightly.
- Prepare the Dumplings
- While the stew is simmering, prepare the dumplings.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in the milk and melted butter until a sticky dough forms.
- Cook the Dumplings
- Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering stew, covering the surface as evenly as possible.
- Cover the pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and no longer doughy in the center.
- Serve Hot!
- Serve your copycat Cracker Barrel Recipe Chicken and Dumplings hot in bowls, and enjoy the comfort and flavors reminiscent of dining out.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix the dumpling dough; a few lumps are perfectly fine and contribute to their fluffiness.
- Be patient when simmering the dumplings. They will puff up and become soft and tender as they cook.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste. Some people like to add a bit more thyme or sage for extra flavor.
Printable Recipe Copycat Cracker Barrel Recipe Chicken and Dumplings
Copycat Cracker Barrel Recipe Chicken and Dumplings
This chicken and dumplings recipe is just like the delicious comfort meal found at Cracker Barrel! Make this hearty copy cat Cracker Barrel recipe for dinner on a cold night!
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Stew:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried sage
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Boil chicken with broth, water, onions, and seasonings.
- Simmer for 30 mins.
- Shred chicken, return to pot, and mix with heavy cream and flour.
- Simmer for 10 mins.
- Prepare dumpling dough by mixing flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter.
- Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into stew.
- Cover and simmer for 10-15 mins until dumplings are cooked.
- Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Copycat Cracker Barrel Recipe Chicken and Dumplings!
Notes
I like to serve this recipe with a side of sliced tomatoes or steamed carrots. You can also whip up a batch of these beer biscuits for dipping into the sauce!
Recommended Products
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Cracker Barrel’s Chicken and Dumplings is a timeless classic, and now you can savor the same delicious flavors at home with this copycat recipe. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a comforting meal to chase away the winter blues, this dish will warm your heart and satisfy your cravings for Southern comfort food.
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