Homemade Cracker Barrel-Style Chicken and Dumplings

When I think about comfort food, the first dish that comes to my mind is chicken and dumplings. I still remember the very first time I made this Cracker Barrel-style recipe at home. The warm aroma of simmering broth, tender chicken, and soft dumplings filling the kitchen instantly brought a sense of coziness and nostalgia. It felt like more than just dinner—it was a warm hug on a plate. Cooking this dish has now become one of my favorite traditions, especially when the weather turns cold or when I want to treat my family to something truly special.

This homemade version captures everything people love about the restaurant classic, but with the added bonus of being made right in your own kitchen. Every spoonful offers rich flavor, fluffy dumplings, and juicy chicken that melts in your mouth. It is one of those recipes that remind you how comforting simple ingredients can be when they come together perfectly.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are many reasons why this chicken and dumplings recipe will become a staple in your home. First, it has that old-fashioned charm—homemade from start to finish—that makes every bite taste wholesome and satisfying. Second, it uses easy-to-find ingredients, so you don’t have to stress about complicated shopping lists. Finally, it’s flexible, meaning you can adjust it to suit your taste and still enjoy the same comforting results.

Versatile

This recipe can adapt to many situations. If you prefer using chicken thighs for richer flavor, you can swap them in without any trouble. You can also add carrots or peas for extra heartiness. The dumplings themselves can be cut into thin strips, larger squares, or even smaller bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference.

Budget-Friendly

One of the best parts of this recipe is how budget-friendly it is. It only requires a handful of pantry staples—flour, milk, and baking powder—for the dumplings, plus some chicken and broth. Yet, the outcome is a big, filling pot of food that easily serves the whole family. It’s proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make a meal that feels indulgent.

Ingredients for Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

• 6 cups chicken broth

• 2 celery ribs, broken into large pieces

• ½ medium onion, left intact in a large piece

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1¼ tsp salt

• 1 cup plus 2 tbsp milk

• Salt and pepper, to taste

  How to Make This Recipe

  Making homemade chicken and dumplings may sound like a big task, but the process is straightforward and rewarding. It all starts with a rich, flavorful broth, which becomes the base of the entire dish. From there, you prepare the dumpling dough, roll it out, and cut it into strips before dropping them into the bubbling pot. The magic happens when the dumplings slowly simmer, soaking up the flavors while turning tender and fluffy. Finally, the shredded chicken is added back to the pot, completing this comforting, hearty meal.

  Step-by-Step Instructions for Making

  1. Prepare the broth:
     Place a large pot or Dutch oven on the stove and pour in the chicken broth. Add the celery ribs and onion, keeping them in large pieces so they are easy to remove later. Place the chicken breasts into the pot and bring everything to a boil. As soon as it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently, partially covered, for about 15 minutes. During this time, the chicken will cook through and the broth will absorb flavor from the vegetables.

  2. Make the dumpling dough:
     While the chicken cooks, take a medium-sized bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring with a spoon until a rough, shaggy dough forms. The dough should come together easily but remain soft and pliable. Avoid overmixing at this stage to keep the dumplings light.

  3. Shape the dumplings:
     Lightly flour your work surface and place the dough onto it. With a rolling pin, roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice the dough into strips or squares, each about one to two inches wide. This size allows the dumplings to cook evenly and absorb the broth well.

  4. Cook the chicken and dumplings:
     Once the chicken has finished cooking, remove it from the pot and set it aside on a cutting board. Take out the celery and onion from the broth, since their job of flavoring is complete. Gently drop the cut dough pieces into the simmering broth. Stir occasionally so they don’t stick together. Allow the dumplings to cook for 20–30 minutes, giving them time to soften and thicken the broth into a gravy-like texture.

  5. Shred the chicken:
     While the dumplings are simmering, shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks or a knife. Once shredded, return the chicken to the pot, stirring gently to mix it with the dumplings and broth.

  6. Season and serve:
     Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls and serve hot for the ultimate comfort meal.

  Quick and Easy

  Although the dish feels hearty and filling, the process is quick enough for a weeknight dinner. With only about 40 minutes from start to finish, you can enjoy homemade comfort food without waiting for hours.

  Customizable

  This recipe is easy to adjust based on your preferences. You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts, or even add vegetables like carrots, peas, or corn for more texture and flavor. For a creamier broth, stir in a splash of milk at the end.

  Crowd-Pleasing

  The rich broth, tender chicken, and pillowy dumplings make this dish perfect for feeding a group. Whether you’re serving family dinner or hosting friends, it’s a meal that brings everyone to the table. The large pot yields generous portions, and leftovers reheat beautifully, making it even more practical.

  FAQs

  Can I make the dumplings ahead of time?
  Yes, you can prepare the dumpling dough in advance. Roll it out, cut into strips or squares, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, simply drop them into the simmering broth.

  Can I freeze chicken and dumplings?
  Absolutely. Let the dish cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently on the stove, adding extra broth if needed.

  Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
  Yes, using pre-cooked chicken saves time. Just skip the initial cooking step with the broth, add your broth and seasonings, then stir in shredded cooked chicken once the dumplings are almost ready.

  How do I keep dumplings from falling apart?
  Be sure not to overmix the dough. Also, avoid stirring the pot too aggressively once the dumplings are in. Gentle stirring ensures they stay intact and fluffy.

  What can I serve with chicken and dumplings?
  This dish is hearty on its own, but it pairs well with simple sides. A fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, or even cornbread are great options.

  Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
  Yes, replace the milk in the dumpling dough with a non-dairy alternative like almond or oat milk. The texture will still be soft and delicious.

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  Homemade Cracker Barrel-Style Chicken and Dumplings

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  Homemade Cracker Barrel-Style Chicken and Dumplings is a cozy, classic comfort food. With tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a rich broth, this dish is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for family meals.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

  Ingredients

  Scale 1x2x3x

  • 6 cups chicken broth

  • 2 celery ribs, broken into large pieces

  • ½ medium onion, left intact in a large piece

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tbsp baking powder

  • 1¼ tsp salt

  • 1 cup plus 2 tbsp milk

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

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  Instructions

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, add chicken broth, celery ribs, onion, and chicken breasts. Bring to a boil.

  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer partially covered for 15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.

  • While the chicken cooks, prepare the dumplings. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly stir in milk until the dough forms a soft ball.

  • Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out to ¼-inch thick. Cut into strips or squares, about 1–2 inches wide.

  • Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside on a cutting board. Discard celery and onion from the broth.

  • Drop dumpling pieces carefully into the simmering broth, stirring gently so they don’t stick. Simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dumplings are tender and the broth thickens.

  • Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the pot. Stir gently to combine.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy.

  Notes

  • For richer flavor, substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts.

  • Add carrots, peas, or corn for extra heartiness.

  • To make it dairy-free, use almond or oat milk for the dumplings.

  • Leftovers reheat well; add a splash of broth or water if needed.

  • Author: Layla
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes