If you’ve ever longed for a meal that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is exactly the comfort food you need. Imagine tender chicken simmering with fresh veggies, fragrant herbs, and fluffy, pillowy dumplings cooked right on top in your slow cooker—no fuss, just cozy, hearty goodness. It’s the kind of dish that brings family and friends together, filling the house with a homey aroma and your heart with simple joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is simple, but each plays an essential role in crafting layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this dish truly special.
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: the hearty protein base that becomes irresistibly tender during slow cooking.
- 1 medium onion, chopped: adds depth and a gentle sweetness that blends beautifully with the broth.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: infuses a subtle pungency that enhances every bite.
- 3 medium carrots, sliced: provide a splash of color and natural sweetness for balance.
- 2 celery stalks, sliced: introduce a mild crunch and freshness to the stew.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: offers an earthy, aromatic note classic in hearty chicken dishes.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley: brightens the flavor profile just enough.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: simple seasonings that bring all the ingredients together.
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth: your flavorful, comforting cooking liquid that keeps the dish light but savory.
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup: adds richness and creaminess for luscious texture.
- 1 cup frozen peas (added at the end): bursts of sweetness and vibrant green color.
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (8-count, each biscuit cut into quarters): turns into fluffy, golden dumplings that crown this dish with perfect softness.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Broth Base
Start by placing the chicken, chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, sliced celery, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, pepper, and chicken broth into your slow cooker. Stir gently to combine everything well, making sure the veggies are evenly distributed around the chicken. This mixture is going to simmer low and slow, melding flavors into a hearty base perfect for tender chicken and savory dumplings.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and falling-apart tender. This step is where the magic of the Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe shines—while you go about your day, the slow cooker does all the work, developing deep flavor and melting textures.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. This shredded chicken will blend seamlessly into the broth, giving you those comforting chunks with every spoonful. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker to prepare for the next step.
Step 4: Add Creaminess and Peas
Gently stir the cream of chicken soup into the slow cooker, mixing it into the broth for a velvety, creamy texture. Add the frozen peas last to keep their fresh color and slightly sweet pop, stirring them in with care so they don’t lose their shape.
Step 5: Top with Biscuit Dumplings
Cut each refrigerated biscuit into quarters and arrange the pieces in an even layer right on top of the creamy chicken mixture. Press them down slightly but avoid submerging them fully, as this will let the dumplings cook up light and fluffy instead of soggy. Cover and cook on high for another 1 to 1.5 hours until the dumplings are firm and golden.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the biscuits are cooked through, your Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is ready to serve. Scoop generous portions onto plates, making sure everyone gets plenty of dumplings and tender chicken in their bowls. It’s a soul-warming meal that’s perfect any time comfort food calls your name.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a little fresh chopped parsley or thyme on top adds a burst of color and subtle herbal brightness that lifts the dish beyond hearty and homey. For an extra touch, a dash of cracked black pepper or a swirl of cream can bring extra richness and aroma.
Side Dishes
Your slow cooker chicken and dumplings are filling enough to be a full meal, but if you’re looking to round it out, a simple green salad with vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables offer a fresh, crisp contrast. Soft dinner rolls or crusty bread are also excellent accompaniments for soaking up every last bit of that creamy broth.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the dish in rustic ceramic bowls for the ultimate cozy effect. To surprise guests, portion the stew into mini casserole dishes and bake the dumplings in the oven for a crispier top. Another fun twist is to add shredded cheese to the biscuit dough before cooking for a cheesy dumpling upgrade.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because the dumplings soak up liquid over time, you may want to add a splash of broth or water when reheating to keep the stew creamy and the dumplings tender.
Freezing
While freezing chicken and dumplings can be tricky because dumplings often lose their texture, you can freeze the stew base (chicken and vegetables) separately for up to 3 months. Add fresh biscuit dough or make dumplings from scratch after thawing the stew for best results.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to warm evenly. If needed, add a bit of extra chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce and refresh the dumplings’ texture before serving.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra richness and stay juicy during slow cooking, making them an excellent choice for this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe.
What if I don’t have refrigerated biscuit dough?
No problem—you can use homemade biscuit dough or even drop spoonfuls of a thick dumpling batter on top. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly.
Can I add more vegetables to the recipe?
Definitely! Feel free to toss in mushrooms, corn, or green beans depending on what you have available or prefer, just adjust the cooking time so vegetables don’t get overly soft.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Yes! It’s perfect for making ahead and enjoying throughout the week. Just keep dumplings separate if you want to maintain their fresh texture when reheating.
How can I make this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, substitute the cream of chicken soup with a dairy-free alternative (or make your own) and use biscuit dough without dairy ingredients, or try a gluten-free biscuit recipe.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dish that tastes like a warm kitchen and cozy memories wrapped in one, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe will quickly become your go-to comfort meal. It’s easy to prepare, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for sharing with loved ones anytime you want to feel wrapped in a blanket of deliciousness. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
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Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This comforting Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe offers tender chicken simmered with vegetables and herbs in a savory broth, topped with fluffy biscuit dough cooked to perfection. Ideal for a cozy meal, it’s effortless to prepare and perfect for slow cooking, delivering classic American homestyle flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Dumplings
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (8-count), each biscuit cut into quarters
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the chicken, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and chicken broth into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook Chicken Mixture: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, mixing with the vegetables and broth.
- Add Soup and Peas: Stir in the cream of chicken soup and frozen peas into the slow cooker mixture to add richness and flavor.
- Add Biscuit Dough: Place the biscuit dough pieces evenly on top of the mixture. Press them lightly into the liquid without fully submerging them to allow proper rising and cooking.
- Cook Dumplings: Cover and cook on high for an additional 1 to 1.5 hours until the biscuit dough is cooked through, fluffy, and golden.
- Serve: Carefully scoop the mixture with the fluffy dumplings into bowls and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned biscuits.
- Add a splash of heavy cream at the end for extra creaminess.
- Stir gently after adding the peas and biscuit dough to avoid breaking up the dumplings.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7–8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
