Instructions:
- In a large pot, combine the chicken breasts, chicken broth, chopped onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour to create a roux, cooking for a couple of minutes until it’s lightly browned.
- Gradually whisk in the heavy cream, making sure to remove any lumps. Cook and stir until the mixture thickens.
- Add the cream mixture to the chicken and vegetable stew, stirring well. Allow the mixture to simmer while you prepare the dumplings.
- For the dumplings, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in the milk until a soft dough forms.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering stew. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for about 15-20 minutes until they are cooked through and no longer doughy in the center. Keep the lid on during this time.
- Serve your homemade chicken and dumplings hot, and enjoy!
This recipe should give you a taste similar to Cracker Barrel’s Homemade Chicken & Dumplings. You can adjust the seasonings and ingredients to your preference.