Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Slow cooker chicken and dumplings is the perfect dish for when you want a comforting, hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe combines tender chicken, savory vegetables, and light, pillowy dumplings cooked in a flavorful broth. It’s a cozy classic that’s easy to make and always satisfying.

Equipment:

• Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
• Mixing bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Whisk

Ingredients:
For the Chicken Base:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

For the Dumplings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken Base:
   Place the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in the slow cooker. Add chicken broth, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
2. Cook the Base:
   Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
3. Shred the Chicken:
   Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
4. Thicken the Broth (Optional):
   If a thicker broth is desired, whisk the cornstarch into the heavy cream, then stir the mixture into the slow cooker. Let it cook on high for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
5. Prepare the Dumplings:
   In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until a soft dough forms.
6. Cook the Dumplings:
   Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the surface of the simmering broth in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 30-40 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through.
7. Serve:
   Ladle the chicken, vegetables, and dumplings into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Presentation Ideas:

• Serve in rustic bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme on top.
• Pair with a simple green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
• Add a side of cranberry sauce for a festive touch.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, sear the chicken in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.
• You can use canned biscuit dough instead of homemade dumplings for convenience.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Slow cooker chicken and dumplings is the epitome of comfort food—warm, hearty, and full of flavor. With tender chicken, savory vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, this one-pot meal is a family favorite that’s perfect for any occasion. Try it and enjoy the cozy goodness!

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Comforting slow cooker chicken and dumplings with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy dumplings. The ultimate one-pot comfort meal!

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Equipment

• Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
• Mixing bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Whisk

Ingredients

  

• For the Chicken Base:
• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 onion diced
• 3 carrots peeled and sliced
• 3 celery stalks sliced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch optional, for thickening
• For the Dumplings:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cold butter cubed
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Chicken Base:
• Place the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in the slow cooker. Add chicken broth, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
• Cook the Base:
• Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
• Shred the Chicken:
• Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
• Thicken the Broth (Optional):
• If a thicker broth is desired, whisk the cornstarch into the heavy cream, then stir the mixture into the slow cooker. Let it cook on high for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
• Prepare the Dumplings:
• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until a soft dough forms.
• Cook the Dumplings:
• Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the surface of the simmering broth in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 30-40 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through.
• Serve:
• Ladle the chicken, vegetables, and dumplings into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.