Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken & Dumplings (Print version)

Tender chicken and flat buttermilk dumplings simmered in a rich, cozy broth for a homestyle Cracker Barrel copycat dinner.

# Ingredients:

For the chicken broth

01 - 2 tablespoons salted butter
02 - 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
03 - 1/2 cup chopped celery
04 - 1/2 cup chopped carrot
05 - 6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium chicken broth
06 - 2 teaspoons chicken base or bouillon paste
07 - 1 1/4 lb (565 g) chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

For the flat dumplings

10 - 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
11 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
12 - 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
13 - 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

# Instructions:

01 - Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then cook for 5-6 minutes until the onion softens.
02 - Add chicken broth, chicken base, black pepper, and chicken. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, and cook gently for 18-22 minutes until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F and shreds easily.
03 - While the chicken cooks, stir flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add buttermilk and mix just until a shaggy dough forms.
04 - Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Roll to about 1/4 inch thick, then cut into 1-inch squares. Dust lightly with flour so the pieces stay separate.
05 - Transfer the chicken to a plate. Strain the broth into a bowl, discard the vegetables, and return the broth to the pot. Shred the chicken into bite-size pieces.
06 - Bring the broth to a steady simmer. Add dumplings a few at a time, stirring gently between additions so they do not clump.
07 - Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Simmer 15-18 minutes, stirring gently, until the dumplings are tender and the broth has thickened. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
08 - Turn off the heat and let the chicken and dumplings stand for 5 minutes before serving so the broth settles into a creamy gravy.

# Good to know:

01 - Use a gentle simmer after adding the dumplings so they stay intact.
02 - The broth thickens more as it rests.
03 - For the classic copycat look, strain out the vegetables before adding the dumplings.

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