Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

1. Prepare the Chicken and Soup Base

• Layer the ingredients: Start by adding the chicken breasts (or thighs) to the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic on top.
• Add the liquids and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and add the cream of chicken soup. Stir gently to combine. Season the mixture with dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss in the bay leaves for added flavor.
• Cook the soup: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and tender by the end of the cooking time.

2. Shred the Chicken

• Shred the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the breasts (or thighs) from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. The chicken should pull apart easily and be incredibly tender. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the soup. Discard the bay leaves.

3. Make the Dumpling Dough

• Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder (if using).
• Add the wet ingredients: Stir in the milk and melted butter until just combined. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky. If desired, fold in the dried parsley for a little extra flavor.

4. Add the Dumplings to the Slow Cooker

• Form the dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough on top of the soup. The dough will spread slightly, but don’t worry, the dumplings will puff up as they cook.
• Cook the dumplings: Cover the slow cooker again and cook on high for an additional 1 hour. The dumplings should be fluffy and cooked through. Check with a toothpick to ensure they are done. They should be soft and not doughy in the center.

5. Serve and Enjoy

• Serve: Once the dumplings are cooked, the soup is ready to serve! Ladle the creamy chicken and dumplings into bowls, making sure to scoop up some of the fluffy dumplings along with the rich broth.
• Garnish (optional): For an extra touch, sprinkle with fresh parsley or a little extra thyme before serving.

Why This Recipe Works

• Slow Cooker Magic: The slow cooker allows the chicken to cook low and slow, resulting in tender, flavorful meat that falls apart easily. The broth also develops a rich, deep flavor as it simmers.
• Perfect Dumplings: The key to making fluffy dumplings is to avoid overmixing the dough. By adding the dumplings near the end of the cooking time, they remain light and airy instead of becoming heavy or soggy.
• Minimal Effort: This recipe is practically foolproof. Once you’ve prepped the ingredients and set your slow cooker, it requires very little attention, making it ideal for busy days when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Tips for Success

• Use bone-in chicken for more flavor: If you have time, consider using bone-in chicken thighs or breasts. The bones add extra richness to the broth, making it even more flavorful. Just remove the bones after cooking and shred the meat.
• Make it lighter: For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk in place of the cream of chicken soup, or opt for a lighter version of the canned soup.
• Customize the vegetables: Feel free to add or swap out vegetables according to your preference. Potatoes, parsnips, or green beans work wonderfully in this dish.
• Leftovers: This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, if you’re planning to store leftovers, you might want to keep the dumplings separately, as they can get soggy when reheated. Alternatively, you can add fresh dumplings when reheating.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings is the perfect dish to serve on a cold evening or when you want something cozy and comforting. With minimal prep, this recipe delivers a warm, hearty meal with tender chicken, creamy broth, and fluffy dumplings that your whole family will love. It’s a one-pot wonder that’s simple to make and packed with flavor.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests, feed a crowd, or just make a meal the entire family can enjoy, this easy slow cooker recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Try it today, and enjoy the comforting taste of homemade chicken and dumplings without the fuss!