This hearty and comforting Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is perfect for a cozy meal. It combines tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy biscuit dumplings, all cooked together in the slow cooker for a set-it-and-forget-it dinner. Here’s how you can make this easy and delicious dish!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into quarters
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crockpot:
Start by placing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. These will cook to tender perfection and be easy to shred later. Add the chicken broth, diced carrots, celery, onion, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary to the crockpot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can add more seasonings depending on your preferences, but the thyme and rosemary provide great flavor without overpowering the dish. - Cook:
Cover the crockpot with its lid and set the temperature to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and the vegetables tender by the end of this cooking time. The slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together, making for a rich and savory broth. - Shred the Chicken:
Once the cooking time is up, take the chicken breasts out of the crockpot and use two forks to shred them. You’ll find that the chicken will shred easily because it’s been cooking in the flavorful broth. After shredding, return the chicken to the crockpot, stirring to incorporate it with the vegetables and broth. This step ensures the chicken is evenly mixed throughout the soup, adding that delicious homemade feel to the dish. - Add Biscuit Dough:
Now, it’s time to add the biscuit dough that will transform into fluffy dumplings. Stir in the heavy cream to give the broth a nice, creamy texture. Then, add the biscuit dough quarters evenly over the surface of the soup. You don’t need to stir the dough into the liquid, as it will cook on top, puffing up into soft dumplings. Be sure the biscuit dough is spread out and doesn’t clump together, which will allow it to cook properly. - Finish Cooking:
Cover the crockpot again and cook on high for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the biscuit dumplings are fully cooked and fluffy. You’ll know they’re done when they’ve puffed up and are no longer doughy in the middle. The dumplings should be tender and slightly golden on top. - Serve:
Once everything is cooked, give the soup a gentle stir. The dumplings should have absorbed some of the flavorful broth, making them soft and pillowy. Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls, being sure to get some of the tender chicken, vegetables, and a dumpling with every scoop. You can garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme for a touch of color and extra flavor.
Tips:
- Flavor Adjustments: You can always tweak the seasoning to suit your taste. If you prefer a bit more spice, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce would work great. Additionally, fresh herbs like parsley or thyme make a wonderful garnish and add brightness to the rich dish.
- Thickening the Soup: If you like your soup a little thicker, try adding a slurry of flour or cornstarch mixed with water to the broth before adding the biscuit dough. This will help thicken up the broth, giving the dish a heartier texture.
- Substituting Biscuits: If you prefer homemade dumplings, you can substitute the canned biscuit dough with your favorite homemade dumpling recipe. The texture may be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.
- Adding More Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like potatoes, green beans, or corn. They’ll add more texture and flavor to the dish and make it even heartier.
- Leftovers: This recipe makes excellent leftovers. Store any leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove, adding a little extra chicken broth if the soup thickens too much.
This Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy family meal. Whether you’re looking for a set-it-and-forget-it dinner on a busy weeknight or a comforting dish for a weekend meal, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy!