Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings (Print Version)
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings brings comforting flavors to your table with minimal effort. This one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 225 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 240 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 -
4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
03 -
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
04 -
1 medium onion, diced
05 -
2 stalks celery, diced
06 -
2 medium carrots, diced
→ Flavor Builders
07 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
08 -
1 tsp dried thyme
09 -
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
10 -
1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
→ Dumpling Mix
11 -
1 (16.3 oz) can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (regular, not flaky layers)
→ Finishing Touches
12 -
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get your chicken breasts nestled into the bottom of your slow cooker. Then, scatter your diced onion, celery, and carrots right over the top. Honestly, this is the most 'work' you'll do, and it's barely anything! I usually give my veggies a quick rinse, especially the carrots, just to be sure. Don't worry about perfect chopping; rustic is the vibe here.
02 -
Now, pour in that chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Give it a gentle stir – just enough to combine everything and make sure those seasonings get acquainted with the chicken and veggies. I've definitely dumped everything in without stirring once, and it still tasted good, but a quick swirl helps distribute the love, you know?
03 -
Pop the lid on your slow cooker. If you're heading out for the day, set it on LOW for 6-8 hours. If you're in a bit more of a rush, HIGH for 3-4 hours works too. The smells that start wafting through your house after a few hours? Oh my goodness, they're divine! It's that warm, comforting scent that makes you want to curl up with a blanket.
04 -
Once the cooking time is up and the chicken is fall-apart tender (it should shred easily with two forks, seriously, almost <em>too</em> easily!), carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Shred it up on a cutting board, then return it to the pot. This is where the magic happens and the chicken becomes part of that glorious sauce. Don't skip this step; it's essential for the texture of your chicken and dumplings.
05 -
Now for the fun part! Open those canned biscuits and tear each one into 4-6 pieces. Drop them right into the simmering liquid in the slow cooker. Don't stir them in too much; just let them float on top. This is where I sometimes get a little messy, biscuit dough bits everywhere! Make sure they're mostly submerged, though, so they can cook through properly. This is key for tender dumplings in your slow cooker meal.
06 -
Replace the lid and cook on HIGH for another 30-45 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up, cooked through, and fluffy. You'll know they're ready when they look light and airy. Give the whole pot a good stir, making sure everything is combined and those dumplings soak up all that incredible sauce. Ladle it into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and prepare for pure comfort. This Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings is truly a hug in a bowl.
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcrowd the slow cooker with too many dumplings; they need space to puff up nicely.
02 -
Resist the urge to lift the lid too often! Every time you peek, you lose precious heat and steam, which slows down cooking.
03 -
If your sauce seems too thin at the end, you can make a quick cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water) and stir it in during the last 15 minutes of cooking. I've had to do this a few times when I used a really watery broth.
04 -
Serving it with a simple green salad adds a nice fresh contrast to the rich, creamy goodness.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
02 -
cutting board
03 -
sharp knife
04 -
two forks (for shredding chicken)
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 500 kcal
Total Fat: 23 g
Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
Protein: 33 g