Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings: A Comfort Classic Worth Recreating

Pair your Cracker Barrel-style chicken and dumplings with classic Southern sides like green beans, fried okra, or cornbread. A crisp garden salad or roasted veggies can also balance the richness of the dish.

Yes, chicken and dumplings freeze well! Keep leftovers in a sealed, airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Just note that the dumpling dough may soften slightly upon reheating.

To make Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings crock pot recipe, add chicken, broth, veggies, and seasonings to your slow cooker. In the final hour, drop in homemade or canned biscuit dough dumplings and cook on high until fluffy and cooked through.

For tender, juicy dumplings, simmer them slowly in a well-seasoned broth and avoid overmixing the dough. Let them cook fully covered so they steam and soak up flavor.

Use a rich base like chicken stock or broth, season well with herbs, and consider adding a splash of milk or heavy cream to the broth for extra flavor.

Yes! Crescent rolls can be a handy shortcut. Slice crescent rolls into bite-sized pieces—they’ll cook up softer and less structured than classic Cracker Barrel-style dumplings.

You can, but it’s not ideal. Pillsbury pizza dough lacks the fluffiness of true biscuit dough dumplings, so the texture may be chewier.

Yes, wonton wrappers can mimic thin dumplings. Cut the wonton wrappers into squares and drop them straight into the broth for a texture similar to flat noodles.

Try evaporated milk, whole milk, or even buttermilk for a similar creamy result in your chicken and dumplings recipe Cracker Barrel style.

Yes—adding cream of chicken soup thickens the base and enhances the savory depth, making it a popular addition in many Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings copycat recipes.

Classic options include carrots, celery, onions, and even peas. Many Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings recipes keep it simple, spotlighting the rich broth and soft dumplings over added vegetables.

Traditional seasonings like salt, black pepper, thyme, bay leaf, and parsley work best. For a true Cracker Barrel-style touch, keep flavors clean and let the broth and chicken lead.

Milk adds creaminess and depth to the broth, giving your dish that smooth, hearty finish associated with Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings copycat recipes.

Basic dumpling dough usually includes flour and a liquid such as water or buttermilk, with baking powder added to create lightness.

Not exactly. Though biscuit dough tends to be richer and puffier, it’s a common shortcut for making dumplings in Cracker Barrel-inspired recipes.

Mushy dumplings are often caused by overcooking or stirring too much. Let them simmer gently and avoid lifting the lid too often.

The “jelly” texture usually comes from the starch in the dough reacting with broth. It’s natural, especially when using biscuit dough or flour-heavy dumplings.

The secret lies in not overmixing the dough, using a well-seasoned broth, and gently simmering to let the dumplings steam until fluffy.

Cut one open—if the center is no longer doughy and the texture is soft but cooked through, it’s ready.

Flour from the dumplings, or added cream, milk, or a slurry of cornstarch and water, can help thicken the broth naturally.

Fried dumplings are delicious but higher in fat. Steamed or simmered chicken and dumplings are generally lighter and more comforting.

Stock is made by simmering bones, which gives it a richer, more gelatinous texture—perfect for Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings. Unlike stock, which is made from bones and has a richer body, broth is made from meat and delivers a cleaner, lighter flavor.