What to serve with chicken and dumplings?

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.

Can you freeze chicken and dumplings?

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.

How to make chicken and dumplings in a crock pot?

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.

How to make dumplings juicy?

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.

How to make dumplings taste better?

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.

Can you use crescent rolls instead of biscuits for chicken and dumplings?

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.

Can you use Pillsbury pizza dough for 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.

Can wonton wrappers be used for dumplings?

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.

What can I use in place of heavy cream for chicken and dumplings?

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

Can you put cream of chicken in chicken and dumplings?

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.

What vegetables can you put in chicken and dumplings?

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.

What seasoning do you use in chicken and dumplings?

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.

What does adding milk to chicken and dumplings do?

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

What are the two main ingredients in dumplings?

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

Is biscuit dough the same as dumplings?

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

Why are my dumplings mushy?

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

What is the jelly stuff in dumplings?

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.

What is the secret to good dumplings?

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

How to know if biscuits are done in chicken and dumplings?

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

What thickens chicken and dumplings?

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

Are fried dumplings unhealthy?

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

What is the difference between chicken stock and broth?

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.

Easy Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken and Dumplings

Print Recipe

A comforting and simple homemade chicken and dumplings dish made from scratch, perfect for a hearty meal.

Author: Chef Rina
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 6 1x
Category: Main Dish, Comfort Food

Ingredients

Scale

8 cups chicken stock low-sodium
1 cube chicken bouillon
2 stalks celery diced
3 carrots diced
1 onion peeled but left whole
1 pound chicken breasts boneless skinless
2 cups milk

For the dumplings

3 cups flour more for dusting
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 ⅓ cup buttermilk

Instructions

Start by adding your chicken stock, chicken bouillon, boneless chicken breasts, onion, carrots, and celery to a large pot over medium-high heat.
Use 8 cups of chicken stock, 1 chicken bouillon cube, 3 sliced carrots, 1 whole onion, 2 stalks of celery, and 1 pound of chicken breasts to build the base of your flavorful broth.

Heat until bubbling, then dial down the temperature to let it cook slowly at a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let the mixture cook for about 20 minutes to build flavor, just like in a classic Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings recipe.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, take it out of the pot and set it aside to shred. Discard the onion once it has done its job flavoring the broth.

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk to form a dough—this is your homemade version of the traditional Cracker Barrel dumplings recipe.
(3 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 ⅓ cups buttermilk)

If the dough feels too dry, stir in a bit more buttermilk; if it’s too wet, sprinkle in more flour. After the dough has formed, coat your surface with plenty of flour and roll it out into a thin sheet. Slice into small squares to mimic those signature Cracker Barrel-style dumplings.

Carefully add the dumpling pieces into the simmering broth, stirring occasionally to keep them from sticking together. Cover and let them simmer for 20 more minutes, allowing the broth to thicken slightly as the dumplings cook to tender perfection.

While the dumplings finish, shred your cooked chicken. Return the chicken to the pot and stir in milk for added creaminess.
(2 cups milk)

Turn off the heat and let your copycat Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings rest for 5 minutes before serving. Cozy, nostalgic, and every bit as delicious as the original!

Notes

While buttermilk delivers that classic tang and tender texture found in traditional Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings, you can easily make a quick substitute at home. Just mix one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into a cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

For an extra rich and creamy base—similar to some Cracker Barrel dumpling recipes—swap in heavy cream or evaporated milk in place of standard milk.

Mix the dumpling dough gently—just enough for it to come together. Overmixing can make the dumplings dense instead of tender and fluffy.

Dust your work surface generously with flour when rolling out the dough to avoid sticking, especially if you’re going for that rustic Cracker Barrel-style dumpling texture.

Short on time? Skip homemade and opt for canned biscuits—just cut them into quarters for an easy shortcut that still tastes delicious.

If the dish thickens after chilling, stir in a bit of warm milk while reheating. It helps loosen the texture and restores that smooth, creamy finish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6
Calories: 534kcal
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 1444mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0.01g
Carbohydrates: 71g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 74mg

Keywords: cracker barrel chicken and dumplings, skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins, chicken broth, chicken stock, baking powder, heavy cream, baking soda, buttermilk, carrots, crisco, butter, ribs, milk

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/easy-homemade-chicken-and-dumplings/