Home-Style Comfort: A Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Cracker Barrel's chicken and dumplings is a quintessential American comfort food, renowned for its hearty flavors and satisfying texture. This recipe aims to recreate that beloved dish in your own kitchen, combining the best elements of various approaches to deliver an authentic and delicious experience.
Understanding the Dish
Chicken and dumplings is a simple yet deeply comforting meal. It features tender chicken simmered in a rich broth, topped with fluffy dumplings made from scratch. The combination of flavors and textures is what makes this dish so irresistible.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Broth
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds), preferably organic
- 1 large yellow onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken Broth
- In a large stockpot, combine the whole chicken, onion, carrots, celery, salt, and pepper.
- Add enough cold water to cover the chicken by about 2 inches.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly.
- Strain the broth into a large bowl, reserving the vegetables for later use if desired.
Making the Dumplings
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the buttermilk, stirring until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
Combining and Cooking
- Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred it. Discard the skin and bones.
- Return the shredded chicken to the strained broth.
- Bring the broth back to a simmer.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering broth.
- Cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and float to the surface.
Serving
Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if desired. For a complete meal, accompany it with crusty bread or cornbread.
Tips for the Perfect Dish
- Chicken Choice: For a richer flavor, consider using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken.
- Broth Enhancement: To intensify the flavor of your broth, roast the chicken and vegetables before simmering.
- Dumpling Texture: For lighter dumplings, use ice water instead of buttermilk.
- Vegetable Additions: Expand the flavor profile of your dish by adding additional vegetables like corn, peas, or lima beans to the broth.
- Leftovers: Chicken and dumplings make excellent leftovers. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
By following this recipe and incorporating the provided tips, you can create a delicious and satisfying chicken and dumplings dish that rivals even the best restaurants.
Comments
Post a Comment