Description

Chicken and Dumplings is a comforting, hearty dish that combines tender pieces of chicken with fluffy dumplings, all nestled in a creamy, savory broth. This recipe, made in a slow cooker, is perfect for days when you want a rich, soul-warming meal that doesn't require much hands-on time. The chicken becomes incredibly tender as it cooks, while the dumplings add a light, fluffy texture to the dish.

With a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a comforting bowl of chicken and dumplings that will warm you from the inside out. Let’s walk through the process step-by-step!

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:
• 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped (about 1/2 medium onion)
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup carrot, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter, sliced
• 14 oz chicken broth
• 20 oz condensed cream of chicken soup (2 cans)
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
• For the Dumplings:
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk (can be substituted with water)

Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Start by preparing your 6-quart slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts and sliced butter into the slow cooker. The butter will melt and infuse the chicken with rich flavor as it cooks. Then, add the chopped onion, frozen peas, grated carrot, and chopped parsley. Pour in the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and stir everything together to combine the ingredients evenly.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 7 hours. This slow cooking process will make the chicken tender, allowing it to absorb all the rich flavors from the broth and vegetables.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken
After 7 hours of cooking, the chicken will be tender and easy to shred. Using two forks, shred the chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker. The tender, shredded chicken will blend beautifully with the creamy broth, adding a delightful texture to the dish.

Step 4: Add the Dumplings
While the chicken finishes cooking, prepare the dumplings. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add warm milk (or water) until the mixture forms a dough that can be dropped by spoonfuls. If you prefer, you can use canned biscuit dough, which simplifies this step.

Once the dough is ready, drop spoonfuls of it directly into the soup. If using canned biscuit dough, cut it into smaller pieces before adding it to the slow cooker.

Step 5: Cook the Dumplings
After adding the dumplings, set the slow cooker to HIGH. Tilt the lid slightly to allow some steam to escape. Cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the dumplings are fully cooked, give the soup a final stir to ensure all the flavors are well-mixed. Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls, ensuring each serving has plenty of tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and creamy broth

Tips and Conclusion

Variations & Tips: Make It Your Own
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to personalize it according to your preferences:

Quick and Easy: Use canned biscuit dough instead of making your own dumplings for a quicker version. It’s a convenient and time-saving option.
Add Vegetables: You can add other vegetables, such as diced potatoes, celery, or corn, to enhance the flavors and texture of the dish.
Herbs and Seasonings: Experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dill to give the dish a new twist.
Conclusion:
Chicken and Dumplings is a timeless, comforting dish that’s perfect for cozy dinners. The tender chicken combined with the fluffy dumplings in a rich, creamy broth is the definition of comfort food. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, this slow cooker recipe is ideal for busy days when you want a meal that feels like a warm hug. Try this recipe and enjoy the classic flavors of chicken and dumplings right at home!