
Indulge in a heartwarming bowl of this classic, slow-simmered chicken and tender, hand-rolled dumplings, perfectly recreating the beloved Cracker Barrel dish right in your kitchen.
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
Add the chicken breasts/thighs, chicken broth, poultry seasoning, and dried thyme to the pot. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Leave the broth and vegetables in the pot. Once cool enough to handle, shred the chicken using two forks or your hands.
While the chicken cools, prepare the dumpling dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, and 1 tsp salt. Gradually add the milk, stirring until a soft, shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1-2 minutes until just smooth. Do not overmix.
Roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1-inch wide strips, then cut these strips into 2-3 inch long rectangles or squares. Set aside on a lightly floured surface.
Return the pot with the broth to medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 cup of the warm broth from the pot until smooth to create a slurry. Stir this slurry back into the main pot of broth. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly to your desired consistency.
Add the shredded chicken back to the pot. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning if necessary. Gently drop the prepared dumplings into the simmering broth one at a time, ensuring they don't stick together. Do not overcrowd the pot; cook in batches if necessary.
Cover the pot and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and tender. They will expand. Stir gently once or twice during cooking to prevent sticking.
Ladle the Homemade Chicken n' Dumplins into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley, if using, and serve hot.
550 kcal
Calories
45g
Protein
50g
Carbs
25g
Fat