Sophie Bennett
Cracker Barrel's chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that can be easily made at home. The recipe includes a combination of tender chicken, a creamy broth, and fluffy dumplings. The ingredients for the dumplings are simple, with flour, baking powder, butter, and buttermilk being the key components. The broth is made with chicken stock, and vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onion add flavour to the dish. The chicken is shredded and added to the broth, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. This copycat recipe brings the flavours of Cracker Barrel to your kitchen, offering a delicious and comforting dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dumplings | All-purpose flour, baking powder, butter, buttermilk, milk, cornstarch |
| Chicken | Shredded chicken, white or dark meat |
| Broth | Chicken stock, water, bouillon, celery, onion, carrots, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, basil, parsley, white vinegar |
| Sides | Loaded mashed potatoes, old-fashioned green beans, hand-rolled flaky buttermilk biscuits, crusty bread, cornbread, simple side salad |
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What You'll Learn
- Dumpling ingredients: Flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and chicken stock
- Chicken preparation: Boil chicken, vegetables, water, and spices
- Broth preparation: Add stock, bouillon, vegetables, and meat to a pot
- Dumpling cooking: Drop dumplings into boiling broth, cover, and simmer
- Final steps: Add shredded chicken to the broth and dumplings
Dumpling ingredients: Flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and chicken stock
The dumplings in Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings are made using a combination of flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and chicken stock. The flour is the base of the dumplings and is used to thicken the soup. While all-purpose flour is typically used, gluten-free flour can also be substituted. The dumplings will have a grittier texture if gluten-free flour is used. The baking powder acts as a leavening agent, allowing the dough to rise and become puffy. Butter is added for a rich, umami flavor. Milk is used as a liquid to saturate the flour and create a dough. While buttermilk is the best option for achieving the ideal texture and flavor, whole milk can be used as a substitute. Finally, chicken stock is added to the mixture, which can be store-bought or homemade.
The dumpling-making process begins by combining the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. Butter is then cut into the dough using a pastry cutter or fork. Next, buttermilk is poured into the mixture and combined until a dough begins to form. At this stage, the dough should have a shaggy appearance. The dough is then turned out onto a floured surface and rolled to the desired thickness, typically around 1/4 to 1/2 inch. A pizza cutter or knife can be used to cut the dough into dumpling shapes, such as squares or strips.
Once the dumplings are formed, they are carefully dropped into boiling chicken broth, ensuring that they do not stick together. It is important not to over-mix or over-cook the dumpling dough, as this can affect their texture and consistency. The dumplings are cooked covered for about 10 to 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through. Finally, shredded or bite-sized pieces of chicken are added to the pot and warmed through. The dish can be served immediately, paired with sides such as crusty bread or a simple salad.
Some variations and tips for making Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings include adding herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley to the dumplings or broth. Additionally, while buttermilk is traditional, a substitute can be made by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for a few minutes. For extra fluffy dumplings, allowing the dough to rest for 30 minutes before cooking can help achieve the desired texture.
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Chicken preparation: Boil chicken, vegetables, water, and spices
Chicken preparation is a crucial step in making Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings. Here is a detailed guide to preparing the chicken by boiling it with vegetables, water, and spices:
Gather the Ingredients:
First, gather your ingredients. For the chicken preparation, you will need a whole chicken, preferably a 6-pound bird for the best results. Additionally, you will need various vegetables, including carrots, celery, and onion. You can also add garlic cloves for extra flavor. Spices such as salt, peppercorns, and dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil are also essential. Don't forget to have water ready for boiling.
Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables:
Start by cutting the whole chicken into pieces. You can also use pre-cut chicken pieces, such as chicken breasts. Chop the carrots, celery, and onion into bite-sized pieces. If using garlic, crush or mince the cloves.
Boil the Chicken and Vegetables:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken, vegetables, and spices. Add enough water to cover the ingredients, and place the pot on a stove set to medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot to retain moisture and flavor.
Simmer Until Tender:
Let the chicken and vegetables simmer gently in the spiced water. This process can take around 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your chicken pieces. The chicken is ready when the meat is tender and almost falls off the bone. You can check the doneness by piercing the chicken with a fork; if it falls off easily, it's ready.
Season to Taste:
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the broth and adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can add more salt and pepper, or experiment with other spices and herbs. Remember, the broth should be flavorful, as it will serve as the base for your Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings.
By following these steps, you will have well-prepared chicken and a flavorful broth, forming the foundation for the rest of your Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings recipe.
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Broth preparation: Add stock, bouillon, vegetables, and meat to a pot
To make the broth for your chicken and dumplings, you'll need to add stock, bouillon, vegetables, and meat to a pot. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Broth Preparation:
Firstly, choose your pot. A medium-sized saucepan or Dutch oven is ideal. You can also use a large stock pot.
Next, melt some butter over medium heat. You can use salted butter to add a little extra flavour. Add your chosen vegetables and a pinch of dried herbs like parsley to the butter and sauté until the vegetables are softened and translucent. The classic Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings recipe calls for onions, carrots, and celery, but you can also add other vegetables like garlic and peppers.
Now, it's time to add the liquids. Pour in your chosen stock, which can be chicken or vegetable stock, or even just water. If using water, add a little extra butter or oil to keep the flavours rich. You can also add a splash of vinegar to help break down the meat and add a subtle tang to the broth.
For extra flavour, add a cube or teaspoon of bouillon. This will give your broth a savoury, meaty taste. You can also add some peppercorns at this stage for a subtle kick.
Finally, add your meat. A whole chicken, cut into pieces, is a good option, or you can use chicken breasts or thighs. You can also use pre-cooked chicken, such as a rotisserie chicken, and simply let it warm through in the broth.
Bring your broth to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the meat is tender and almost falling off the bone. This should take around 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your chicken pieces.
Once your broth is ready, you can start preparing your dumplings. The broth should be left on a low heat to keep warm while you roll and cut your dumplings.
Your chicken and dumplings will now be ready to assemble!
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Dumpling cooking: Drop dumplings into boiling broth, cover, and simmer
To cook dumplings, you can either boil, steam, or fry them. For this recipe, we will focus on the boiling method.
First, prepare your dumplings. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture is crumbly. Then, pour in buttermilk and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dumplings into 1-2-inch squares.
Next, bring your chicken broth to a boil in a large pot. Drop the dumplings one at a time, stirring carefully to prevent them from sticking together. Once all the dumplings are in, cover the pot and reduce the heat to a gentle boil or simmer.
Let the dumplings cook for about 15 to 20 minutes. You'll know they're done when they look plump and float on the surface. To check if they're fully cooked, insert a toothpick into the center of a dumpling; if it comes out clean, they're ready!
Finally, add the shredded chicken and stir until warmed through. Serve your delicious chicken and dumplings in bowls, and enjoy the comfort of this classic dish!
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Final steps: Add shredded chicken to the broth and dumplings
Now for the final steps of this delicious recipe!
First, bring the broth to a boil. You can add a few dumplings at a time, stirring carefully to prevent them from sticking together. Cover the pot and cook for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a dumpling comes out clean.
Next, add the shredded chicken and stir until it is warmed through. You can use white or dark meat, or a combination of both. The more chicken, the better!
Finally, serve this comforting dish in bowls. Enjoy the soft and pillowy dumplings and tender chicken swimming in a savory broth. This copycat recipe brings the flavors of Cracker Barrel to your table, and it is perfect for a chilly evening with your family.
You can also add some milk to the dish for extra creaminess. Additionally, consider sprinkling dried thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley on top for added flavor and aroma.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken, carrots, celery, onion, butter, buttermilk, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
You can use a rotisserie chicken, or a whole chicken that you cook yourself. Aim for at least a 6-pound bird for the tastiest broth and meat.
You can use carrots, celery, and onion. You can also add herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley.
You can make a quick substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
