Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

1. Stage

In a large pot, combine broth, water, onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover pot. Simmer until chicken is just cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer chicken breasts to a plate. Let cool.

2. Stage

While chicken cooks, make dumplings. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add shortening, using fingers to work shortening into flour until it is in tiny pieces. Pour buttermilk into flour-shortening mixture and stir until a crumbly dough forms. Dump dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 15 times, until a ball forms.

3. Stage

Using a rolling pin, roll dough until it is ¼” thick, then cut into roughly 2” squares (don’t worry about sides that aren’t perfectly square, use these too!). Dust surface of cut dumplings lightly with remaining 1 tablespoon flour.

4. Stage

After removing chicken from pot, increase heat to high and bring broth to a boil. Add dumplings one at a time, and let boil for 5 minutes. Stir, separating any dumplings stuck together with a spoon. Reduce heat so liquid simmers and partially cover pot leaving a small crack open on one side. Cook, stirring occasionally, until dumplings are tender and cooked through and broth is thickened to gravy consistency, about 20 minutes.

5. Stage

Meanwhile, use two forks to shred cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. When dumplings are cooked, stir chicken into pot and cook until chicken is heated through, about 1 minute more. Season with more salt, if desired, sprinkle with black pepper, and serve.