Better than Cracker Barrel® Chicken 'n Dumplings

My Grandma grew up on a farm and this was her recipe - no shortcuts but still pretty easy. For best results you must use a whole chicken and flour. You can also use some chicken stock for added flavor. The trick is the lemon which makes the chicken tender and adds flavor to the soup. Leftovers won't last very long with this.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 384 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch salt
• water to cover
• 1 small onion, chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 whole chicken
• 2 carrots, sliced, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place chicken and 1 pinch salt in a large pot; cover with water. Bring to a boil, skimming any scum off the surface with a slotted spoon. Add lemon, celery, onion, and carrots. Simmer broth over medium heat until chicken starts to fall off the bone, about 1 hour.

Step 2

Discard lemon. Remove chicken from the pot; let cool.

Step 3

Place flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Make a well in the center. Ladle in 2 to 3 scoops of hot broth. Mix in flour with a spoon until dough comes together into a ball.

Step 4

Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead carefully until smooth. Roll out into a large rectangle; cut into small rectangular dumplings.

Step 5

Drop dumplings one at a time into the simmering broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 30 minutes.

Step 6

Bone chicken and chop into pieces. Add to the pot; cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.