Cracker Barrel is a beloved American restaurant chain, famous for its homestyle Southern comfort food. Founded in 1969, the chain has become synonymous with rustic, hearty meals that evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth. One of the most iconic dishes on its menu is the chicken and dumplings—an enduring favorite among diners seeking comfort food.

Chicken and dumplings is a classic Southern dish that combines tender chicken and fluffy, doughy dumplings in a savory broth. It has roots in traditional Southern cooking, where it was made from simple, accessible ingredients. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity—basic ingredients like chicken, flour, and broth come together to create something rich and deeply satisfying.

Cracker Barrel’s version of chicken and dumplings embodies this ethos of simplicity and comfort, making it a go-to meal for many seeking a hearty, warming dish that feels like home.

Ingredients Overview

Broth Ingredients:

The foundation of any good chicken and dumplings recipe is a flavorful broth. In Cracker Barrel’s recipe, chicken broth, celery, and onion are essential for building a savory base. Chicken broth provides the depth of flavor, while celery adds a subtle vegetal note, and onion lends a sweet, earthy taste. These ingredients are simmered together to infuse the broth with rich, comforting flavors, providing a savory environment for the chicken and dumplings to shine.

Dumpling Ingredients:

The dumplings in this recipe are made with basic pantry staples: all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and milk. Flour gives the dumplings structure, while baking powder acts as a leavening agent, making the dumplings light and fluffy. Salt enhances the overall flavor, ensuring the dumplings aren’t bland, while milk adds moisture, helping to create a soft, tender dough. These dumplings, though simple, are the heart of the dish, providing a satisfying texture that contrasts with the smooth broth.

Optional Additions:

To enhance the richness of the dish, you can add butter to the broth, which lends a luxurious texture and fuller flavor. Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme make excellent garnishes, bringing a burst of color and a fresh, aromatic element that balances the richness of the dish.

Importance of Ingredient Quality

The quality of ingredients used in chicken and dumplings can significantly impact the final result. One key decision is whether to use homemade or store-bought broth. While store-bought broth is convenient, homemade chicken broth provides a deeper, more complex flavor that can elevate the entire dish. Homemade broth allows you to control the salt and seasoning levels, and it’s often richer because it’s made from simmering chicken bones and vegetables for an extended period.

The chicken used in the recipe is another critical factor. Using fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy after cooking. Fresh chicken will absorb the flavors of the broth better than pre-cooked or frozen alternatives, resulting in a more flavorful dish. Additionally, fresh vegetables like celery and onion also contribute more robust flavors to the broth, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

High-quality ingredients don’t just improve flavor; they also affect the texture and presentation of the dish. For example, flour with a higher gluten content can produce chewier dumplings, while fresher herbs will provide brighter, more aromatic garnishes. Whether it’s the freshness of the chicken or the richness of homemade broth, choosing quality ingredients is essential to making chicken and dumplings that are both delicious and comforting.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Preparing the Broth

To create a flavorful base for your chicken and dumplings, begin by preparing the broth. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. The broth serves as the foundation of the dish, so using a rich, flavorful stock is key. If you’re using store-bought broth, consider enhancing it with a few tablespoons of butter or an extra chicken bouillon cube to deepen the flavor.

Add two halved celery ribs and one halved onion to the pot. These vegetables contribute subtle yet important layers of flavor. The onion imparts a mild sweetness, while the celery provides a fresh, earthy note. Keep the vegetables in large chunks so they can easily be removed later. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, making sure the heat is gentle enough to extract the flavors from the vegetables without boiling, which can make the broth cloudy.

Next, add two boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the simmering broth. If the breasts are large (about 1 lb each), you’ll need around 15 minutes of cooking time for them to become tender. Poaching the chicken at a gentle simmer ensures it stays moist and juicy. Avoid a rapid boil, as this can make the chicken tough.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly before shredding. Use two forks to pull the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Shredding allows the chicken to absorb more of the broth’s flavor, ensuring every bite is juicy and tender. Set the shredded chicken aside while you prepare the dumplings.

Making the Dumplings

To make the dumplings, start by combining 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a large mixing bowl. These simple ingredients will create a dough that is both tender and fluffy. The baking powder acts as a leavening agent, giving the dumplings a light, airy texture, while the flour provides structure. Salt is essential for flavor, ensuring the dumplings don’t taste bland.

Gradually pour in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of milk, stirring as you go. The milk will hydrate the flour and help bind the dough together. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but firm enough to hold together without crumbling. If the dough seems too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until the right consistency is reached.

Once the dough has come together, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Use your hands or a rolling pin to roll the dough out to a thickness of about ¼ inch. Rolling the dough too thin can result in dumplings that are flimsy and break apart in the broth, while rolling it too thick can lead to doughy, undercooked dumplings.

After rolling out the dough, use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut it into 1- to 2-inch squares. These squares are the traditional shape for Southern-style dumplings, but you can get creative with shapes if you prefer, such as cutting the dough into diamonds or rustic strips. Keeping the dumplings small ensures they cook evenly and maintain their tender texture.

Cooking the Dumplings

Once the dough is cut into squares, it’s time to cook the dumplings. Bring the broth back to a gentle simmer, ensuring it’s not boiling too vigorously, which could cause the dumplings to break apart. Carefully add the dumplings one at a time to the simmering broth. This helps prevent them from sticking together.

Once all the dumplings are in the pot, cover it with a lid and cook for about 15 minutes. Stir the pot occasionally, gently moving the dumplings around to ensure they cook evenly. Avoid over-stirring, as this could cause the dumplings to fall apart.

The key to perfect dumplings lies in temperature control and timing. Keeping the broth at a steady simmer allows the dumplings to cook through while remaining tender. The dumplings are done when they’ve puffed up slightly and feel firm yet soft when pierced with a fork.

Finishing Touches

After the dumplings have cooked, add the shredded chicken back into the pot. Stir gently to combine the chicken with the dumplings, ensuring an even distribution throughout the broth. If you prefer a richer broth, stir in 2 tablespoons of butter, which will add a velvety smoothness and enhance the overall flavor. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed. The final dish should have a well-balanced, savory flavor, with the richness of the broth complementing the tender chicken and dumplings.

Garnishing and Serving Suggestions 

To finish the dish, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or thyme. These herbs add a pop of color and a fresh, aromatic flavor that balances the richness of the broth and chicken. Thyme, in particular, pairs beautifully with the savory flavors of the dish, while parsley adds a bright, clean finish.

Serve the chicken and dumplings family-style in a large bowl, inviting everyone to dig in. This dish is perfect for cozy gatherings and pairs well with classic Southern sides like cornbread, green beans, or mashed potatoes for a full, comforting meal.

Expert Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings

Achieving the perfect texture for dumplings and maintaining a flavorful broth is key to making this dish a success. To prevent dumplings from becoming soggy or too dense, avoid overworking the dough. Mix the ingredients just until combined to create a soft dough, and be sure not to roll it too thin. Also, make sure the broth is at a gentle simmer when adding the dumplings; a rolling boil can break them apart and make them soggy.

For flavor variations, consider adding carrots, garlic, or bay leaves to the broth. Carrots will add sweetness and color, while garlic can deepen the overall flavor profile. Bay leaves add an earthy, aromatic note. You can also experiment with different herbs like rosemary or thyme for a more complex broth.

If you’re making chicken and dumplings in advance, store the chicken, dumplings, and broth separately to prevent the dumplings from soaking up too much broth and becoming mushy. Reheat them gently on the stove, adding a little extra broth if needed. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Recipe Variations

Protein Substitutes:

If you don’t have chicken or want to try something new, turkey is an excellent alternative. It pairs just as well with the rich broth and dumplings and works particularly well for a post-Thanksgiving meal. For a unique twist, try using ham or pork, both of which add a salty, savory depth to the dish.

Gluten-Free Options:

To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Look for a blend that includes a binding agent like xanthan gum to ensure the dumplings hold their shape. You can also use cornstarch as a thickener for the broth if needed.

Adding Vegetables:

For a heartier version, stir in vegetables like carrots, peas, or green beans when adding the chicken back to the broth. These vegetables provide color, texture, and added nutrition, making the dish more substantial.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I thicken or thin the broth if needed?
To thicken the broth, you can make a slurry by whisking 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stirring it into the simmering broth. Alternatively, mash a few of the cooked dumplings to naturally thicken the broth. To thin it out, simply add more chicken broth or water until the desired consistency is reached.

Can I freeze chicken and dumplings for later?
Yes, chicken and dumplings freeze well. Let the dish cool completely, then store it in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove, adding more broth as needed to adjust the consistency.

What can I use if I don’t have baking powder?
If you don’t have baking powder, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 part baking soda with 2 parts cream of tartar. Alternatively, self-rising flour can be used in place of all-purpose flour, as it already contains baking powder.

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