Better than Cracker Barrel Chicken 'n Dumplings

Use this simple from-scratch recipe for making chicken and dumplings instead of going out to Cracker Barrel the next time a craving hits.

• 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.