Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings Instant Pot Recipe

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings is a quintessential Southern comfort staple famous for its thick, savory broth and tender, flat-rolled dough. Ideally the chicken should be pressure-cooked with aromatics to ensure a deeply flavorful base before the dumplings are added to the pot.

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Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings Instant Pot Recipe Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 4 cups (1L) high-quality chicken broth
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated flaky biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands) or homemade rolled dough
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

How To Make Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings Instant Pot Recipe

1. Season and Cook Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and thyme. Pour in the chicken broth.
2. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on High for 10 minutes (12 minutes for thighs).
3. Quick Release and Shred: Once the timer goes off, perform a quick pressure release. Carefully remove the chicken and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Set the shredded chicken aside.
4. Prepare the Dumplings: While the chicken is cooking, take each refrigerated biscuit and flatten it with your palm. Cut each biscuit into 3 or 4 flat strips. If using homemade dough, roll it out thin and cut into $1 times 2$-inch rectangles.
5. Simmer the Broth: Turn the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting. Stir in the cream of chicken soup and the butter until well combined and the liquid begins to simmer.
6. Add Dumplings: Drop the dough strips into the simmering broth one at a time to prevent them from sticking together. Gently push them down so they are submerged, but do not stir vigorously.
7. The Final Cook: Secure the lid again and cook on High Pressure for another 3 minutes. Perform another quick pressure release.
8. Combine and Serve: Stir the shredded chicken back into the pot. The sauce will continue to thicken as it rests for a few minutes. Serve hot in deep bowls.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t Over-Stir: Once you add the dumplings, be very gentle. Stirring too much can cause the dough to break apart or become gummy rather than staying in those iconic flat “Cracker Barrel” strips.
• The “Quick Release” Rule: Always use quick release for the dumpling stage. Leaving them on natural release will overcook the dough, turning it from tender to soggy.
• Flatten the Dough: To get the authentic look, make sure the biscuit pieces are flattened significantly before cutting. They will puff up slightly during cooking, so starting thin is key.
• Broth Quality: Since there are very few ingredients, the quality of your chicken broth makes a huge difference. Use a low-sodium broth so you can control the saltiness yourself.

What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings

Chicken and dumpling accompaniments are classic country additions frequently enjoyed at Sunday family dinners across the American South. Ideally the green beans should be slow-simmered with a hint of bacon to provide a smoky contrast to the rich, velvety sauce.

• Southern-style “long-cooked” green beans
• Whole kernel corn or creamed corn
• A side of coleslaw for a cool, crunchy contrast
• Extra buttermilk biscuits to soak up the remaining gravy

How To Store Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. The dumplings will continue to absorb the liquid as they sit, so the dish will be much thicker the next day.
• Reheat: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to thin the sauce back out to its original consistency.
• Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze this dish. The texture of the dumplings often becomes mealy and the cream-based sauce can separate upon thawing.

Cracker Barrel Chicken And Dumplings Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~410 kcal (per serving)
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated based on 6 servings.

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