Ingredients
For the Chicken & Broth:
- 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or boiled chicken)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk or half-and-half for creaminess)
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional, but adds depth)
- ½ tsp poultry seasoning (optional)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (to thicken the broth)
- ¼ cup water (for slurry)
For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1/3 cup shortening or butter
- ¾ cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Broth
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat chicken broth over medium heat.
- Stir in butter, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and poultry seasoning.
- In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup flour with ¼ cup water to form a slurry.
- Slowly whisk the slurry into the broth to thicken it slightly.
- Add in the shredded chicken, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer while you prepare the dumplings.
2. Make the Dumplings
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the shortening or butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the buttermilk, mixing just until a dough forms.
- Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thick.
- Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into ½-inch wide strips, about 2 inches long.
3. Cook the Dumplings
- Bring the broth back to a gentle boil.
- Drop the dumpling strips one by one into the simmering broth, stirring gently so they don’t stick together.
- Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dumplings are soft and tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
4. Serve & Enjoy!
- Ladle generous portions of chicken and dumplings into bowls.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of black pepper for extra flavor.
- Serve hot with cornbread, biscuits, or a simple side salad.
Notes
Why This Recipe is Just Like Cracker Barrel’s
- Traditional Rolled Dumplings – These are not fluffy drop dumplings, but thin, chewy dumplings that soak up the creamy broth just like Cracker Barrel’s version.
- Rich, Thickened Broth – The flour slurry adds body to the broth, making it thicker and more comforting than regular chicken soup.
- Classic, Down-Home Flavor – Simple seasonings, butter, and milk create that rich and savory taste.