Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Unveil the comforting embrace of home cooking with our take on Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings. Dive into tender chicken pieces immersed in a thick, hearty broth, adorned with fluffy, homemade dumplings. Truly, a spoonful of nostalgia!
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Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Let me take you on a trip down memory lane. The first time I ever ventured into a Cracker Barrel was on a family road trip. The ambiance had us charmed, and the menu? Oh boy, it was a joy! My father, a staunch chicken lover, ordered the Chicken and Dumplings. One spoonful, and his eyes twinkled with delight. It became an unspoken tradition; every road trip had a pit stop at Cracker Barrel for those delectable dumplings. Fast forward a few years, and nostalgia hit hard. But instead of jumping in the car, I decided to bring Cracker Barrel into my kitchen. After a plethora of failed attempts, tweaks, and a flour-streaked kitchen, behold! The Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings recipe was born, bringing the same comfort and warmth of those treasured family road trips.
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Ingredients
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
High-quality chicken broth | 6 cups |
Celery ribs (halved) | 2 |
Medium-sized onion (chunked) | 1/2 |
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved) | 1 lb |
All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
Baking powder | 1 tablespoon |
Salt | 1 1/4 teaspoons |
Milk | 1 cup + 2 tablespoons |
Salt and freshly ground black pepper | Adjust to taste |
- Prepare the Stock:
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, celery ribs, onion chunk, and chicken breast halves. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a moderate simmer, partially covering the pot. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the chicken breasts are thoroughly cooked. Meanwhile, prepare the dumplings.
- Prepare the Dumplings:
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually incorporate the milk until a cohesive dough is formed.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to a uniform thickness of approximately 1/4 inch.
- Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into rectangular pieces, each measuring between 1 to 2 inches.
- Cook the Dumplings:
- Once the chicken breasts are fully cooked, remove them and place them on a cutting board. Extract and discard the onion and celery chunks from the pot.
- Introduce the prepared dough pieces into the simmering broth. Allow them to cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will enable the dumplings to cook thoroughly and the broth to thicken into a gravy-like consistency.
- Shred the Chicken:
- While the dumplings cook, finely shred or dice the chicken and then return it to the pot.
- Season and Serve:
- Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Enjoy the comforting and nostalgic flavors of this Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings, perfect for any cozy meal! 🍗🥣✨
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