Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
On those busy days when life feels like it’s running faster than you are, nothing soothes the soul quite like a warm bowl of chicken and dumplings. This slow-cooker version brings all that classic, old-fashioned comfort right to your table with hardly any fuss. Tender bites of chicken, soft pillowy dumplings, and a creamy broth come together in a way that feels like a hug after a long day. It’s simple, dependable, and the kind of recipe your family will ask for over and over again.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Broth:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
For the Dumplings:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Nestle the chicken pieces into your slow cooker and scatter the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic over the top. Add the butter, then pour in the chicken broth. Stir in the cream of chicken soup, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Give everything a gentle mix so it’s well combined.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the vegetables have softened beautifully.
Step 3: Make the Dumpling Dough
About half an hour before serving, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour in the milk and melted butter, stirring just until everything comes together. The dough will be thick and a little sticky—exactly as it should be.
Step 4: Add the Dumplings to the Slow Cooker
Lift out the bay leaf. Drop spoonfuls of the dough right onto the surface of the hot chicken mixture. Cover and cook on high for 25–30 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed, tender, and cooked through.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the chicken, vegetables, and dumplings into bowls. Sprinkle a little fresh parsley on top if you’d like. Settle in and enjoy every comforting bite.
