If you are looking for the BEST Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings recipe this is it! This chicken and dumplings recipe tastes just like the Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings, actually if I am being totally honest I think this copy cat Cracker Barrel chicken and dumplings recipe tastes better then the one you get at the restaurant!

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Copycat Recipe, Man, oh man! If there is every a simple recipe to try it would be this Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Copycat Recipe.

Ingredients:

1 (3 -6 lb) frying chickens ( any whole chicken will do)
2 quarts water
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper ( I use coarse ground and double it)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons shortening ( I use Crisco sticks)
3/4 cup buttermilk ( I add 1 tbsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk let sit 5 minutes, then measure 3/4 cup)

Instructions:

Place chicken in a Dutch oven. Add water and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1 hour or until tender (should almost fall off bone).
Remove the chicken from the broth and cool. Bone the chicken and cut meat into bite-sized pieces.
Bring the broth to a boil and add pepper.
Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening. Add the buttermilk, stirring with a fork until moistened.
Knead the dough 4 to 5 times (never done), and pat to 1/2-inch pieces and drop into boiling broth (I do not pat it out, just pinch off pieces). Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken Dumplings
Stir in the chicken and serve. I make it in the pressure cooker, much quicker and easier.
I pressure it for only 30 minutes.
It can also be done in the crockpot with 3-4 cups water but someone has that book so at this time I cannot give cooking times.
Good Luck! Hope you enjoy.