The Ultimate Set It and Forget It Crockpot Chicken Dumplings

Easy Crockpot Chicken Dumplings

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:240 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• cups low sodium chicken broth
• large yellow onion, chopped
• medium carrots, sliced or roughly chopped
• medium celery stalks, chopped
• tsp dried thyme
• /2 tsp dried sage
• tsp garlic powder
• /2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• /2 tsp salt (to start)
• cup frozen peas
• /4 cup all-purpose flour (for slurry)
• /2 cup cold water or milk (for slurry)
• cups all-purpose flour (for dumplings)
• tbsp baking powder
• tsp salt (for dumplings)
• tbsp cold, cubed unsalted butter
• /4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
• tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

• Place chicken, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, sage, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth until the ingredients are mostly submerged.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or on HIGH for 2.5–3 hours, until the chicken is falling-apart tender.
• Carefully remove the chicken from the liquid and shred it thoroughly using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stirring gently.
• To thicken the broth (optional): Whisk the 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup cold water/milk until smooth to create a slurry. Turn the Crockpot to HIGH if needed. Slowly whisk the slurry into the hot broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until the broth has visibly thickened slightly.
• Stir in the frozen peas. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning (salt/pepper) as needed.
• Prepare Dumpling Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk and parsley until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Bring the broth mixture to a gentle simmer. Using two spoons, drop rounded spoonfuls (about 1 tablespoon each) of the dumpling batter directly onto the surface of the simmering liquid, leaving space between them.
• Crucially, put the lid back on immediately. Do not lift the lid for at least 15 minutes. Let the dumplings steam and cook through on HIGH for 15–20 minutes total. They are done when they have puffed up significantly and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Serve the Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:1296 kcal

Protein:25.6 g

Fat:34.2 g

Carbs:109.8 g

Fiber:24.6 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:258 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

The Definitive Guide to Effortless Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

There’s nothing quite like a proper, slow-cooked Chicken and Dumplings to sort you out after a long day—it's the culinary equivalent of putting your feet up by the telly with a cuppa. Forget that fiddly stove-top faff! This recipe delivers gloriously tender, slow-cooked shredded chicken swimming in a rich, herbaceous, creamy broth, topped with light, fluffy, cloud-like dumplings. Using the trusty Crockpot (or slow cooker, for those across the pond) makes this recipe dead easy, perfect for beginners who fancy a rewarding meal without spending hours hovering over the hob. This is pure, unadulterated British/American comfort food, requiring minimal hands-on time but delivering maximum flavour payoff. Perfect for a cosy Sunday supper or a weekday meal that feels like a treat.

Why This Slow Cooker Method Reigns Supreme for Comfort Food Lovers

The magic of the slow cooker lies in its ability to meld flavours over a long, gentle cooking period. When preparing this classic Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Easy , the connective tissues in the chicken break down beautifully, infusing the broth with deep, savory notes that you simply cannot replicate in a quick stovetop boil. This method truly elevates the experience from simple soup to rich, hearty stew.

Unlocking Deep Flavor Without the Fuss

Our approach prioritizes building complexity with minimal effort. We use standard pantry herbs like thyme and sage directly in the cooking liquid, allowing them to slowly release their essential oils into the broth alongside the chicken and aromatics (onion, carrot, celery). This slow infusion process is the secret weapon of the Chicken Dumpling Crockpot method, ensuring every bite is saturated with that nostalgic, slow-simmered taste.

Your New Go-To Weeknight Comfort Meal

With only about 20 minutes of active preparation time—chopping vegetables and measuring seasonings—this dish fits seamlessly into a busy schedule. You set it up in the morning, and by dinnertime, you are greeted by the irresistible aroma of homemade goodness. This makes Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings an essential addition to any busy home cook's rotation, offering a substantial, satisfying meal with almost zero evening stress.

Setting the Scene: What Makes This Recipe Special

This recipe leans into the joy of simplicity, making it accessible whether you are using fresh chicken or opting for the ultimate convenience of a pre-cooked bird. While we will cover the steps for making delicious Crockpot Chicken Dumplings with Homemade Dumplings , the foundation relies on high-quality broth and perfectly cooked, tender shredded meat, resulting in a genuinely stellar final product. We are aiming for a consistency where the broth coats the back of a spoon but remains soupy enough to cradle the fluffy dumplings.

Curating Your Pantry for Rich Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Success in the slow cooker begins with smart shopping. For this Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe , think about texture and depth of flavour when gathering your supplies. Having the right components on hand ensures that when the cooking time arrives, you can assemble this satisfying meal quickly and confidently. We need sturdy vegetables that can withstand hours of slow cooking without turning to mush, and the right fats to enrich the final stew.

Selecting Top-Tier Components for Superior Results

Choosing your primary ingredients wisely is half the battle won. While this recipe embraces convenience, never compromise on the quality of your foundational elements if you want the best Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings .

The Chicken and Broth Foundation Checklist

For the meat, I strongly recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs over breasts. Thighs contain slightly more fat and connective tissue, which results in richer flavour leeching into the liquid and keeps the meat incredibly moist, avoiding the dry texture sometimes associated with slow-cooked poultry. For liquid, use 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth. If you are using the brilliance of a Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings with Rotisserie Chicken variation, you can skip the raw chicken step entirely and use the leftover carcass to simmer in the broth for extra depth before shredding the store-bought meat in later.

What You Need for Fluffy, Drop-Style Toppers

The dumplings are the crowning glory. For the lightest, fluffiest texture, the key is cold fat. You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour paired with fresh baking powder—stale leavening agents lead to dense, heavy results. The secret ingredient here is ensuring the 4 tablespoons of butter are thoroughly chilled and cut into tiny cubes before being worked into the dry ingredients; this creates the little air pockets necessary for a good rise.

Stocking Up on Essential Seasonings and Aromatics

Don’t skimp on the herbs! The classic profile demands dried thyme and a touch of dried sage—these herbs are essential companions to chicken in a savoury broth. Alongside your standard salt and pepper, a teaspoon of garlic powder provides a mellow, integrated flavour that permeates the entire stew without the harshness fresh garlic can sometimes exhibit during long cooks. Don't forget your mirepoix: one large yellow onion, three medium carrots, and three celery stalks, roughly chopped, form the flavour base.

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A Seamless Path to Slow-Cooked Perfection

The initial step involves layering everything into the slow cooker vessel. Place your raw chicken, chopped vegetables, and all your dried seasonings directly into the pot. Pour in enough chicken broth to mostly cover the contents. Cover the appliance and set it to cook low for 5 to 6 hours, or high for 2.5 to 3 hours. This duration tenderizes the meat until it is fork-shredding soft, while the vegetables soften perfectly into the broth.

The Crucial Final Steps: Thicken and Top

Once the chicken is cooked through, the magic shifts from slow simmering to rapid final assembly. This stage requires a little attention to texture before we introduce the final dough element.

Layering Ingredients for Maximum Flavor Infusion

After shredding the chicken, return it to the pot, stirring gently to redistribute the tender pieces throughout the flavourful liquid. If you are using frozen peas, this is the perfect time to stir them in; they will thaw and heat through beautifully while the dumplings steam.

How to Shred Chicken Inside the Slow Cooker

Removing the cooked chicken breasts or thighs to a cutting board for shredding is cleaner, but for ultimate flavour integration, you can shred it right in the pot. Use two sturdy forks to pull the meat apart directly in the broth. Mix it well so the shredded chicken absorbs the seasoning before moving on to the thickening and dumpling stages.

Mixing and Dropping the Dumpling Dough Correctly

For the Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings with Canned Biscuits variation, you would simply use the biscuits here, but for our homemade version, mix the dry ingredients, cut in the cold butter until crumbly, and then stir in the milk until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in tough dumplings. You want a shaggy, slightly wet batter. Next, turn your slow cooker up to HIGH (or transfer the base to a large pot and bring to a steady, low boil). Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of the dough onto the surface of the simmering stew.

Achieving That Velvety, Thickened Broth Consistency

To achieve a truly rich, gravy-like body, prepare a slurry using 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour whisked thoroughly with 1/2 cup of cold water or milk until absolutely smooth—no lumps allowed. Slowly whisk this slurry into the simmering broth base. Let it cook, stirring frequently, for about 15– 20 minutes until the broth noticeably thickens. This step is vital for a stew that clings beautifully to the dumplings.

Troubleshooting and Next-Level Customization Secrets

The biggest question cooks face when making Crockpot Chicken Dumplings relates to the dumplings themselves. If they sink, it usually means one of two things: either the liquid wasn't simmering robustly enough when they were dropped, or the dough was overmixed. Ensure a steady, low boil before dropping, and remember to keep that lid sealed tight after placement! If your broth seems too thin even after using the slurry, try using a cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) for a quicker, clearer thickening effect.

Storing Leftovers of Your Favorite Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

This dish reheats wonderfully, though the dumplings may soften slightly more upon standing. Allow the stew to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavour often deepens overnight, making leftovers fantastic the next day.

Variations: Making It Spicy or Herbaceous

To introduce a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the initial seasoning mix. For a more herbaceous take, double the amount of sage and stir in a handful of fresh, chopped parsley right before serving—this not only adds colour but a fresh lift to the heavy stew.

Freezing Instructions for Future Cravings

Freezing is possible, but manage expectations regarding the dumplings. Place cooled stew (without the dumplings) into freezer-safe containers for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw the stew, bring it to a simmer, and then prepare and drop fresh dumplings according to the instructions, ensuring they are light and fluffy.

What To Serve Alongside This Hearty Classic

Because the Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings offers a complete, filling meal in a bowl—protein, vegetable, and starch—it doesn't require much accompaniment. However, a simple green salad dressed with a sharp vinaigrette offers a perfect, bright contrast to the richness of the creamy broth. And, as always with any great stew, have some crusty bread ready for dipping!