Making Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings is as easy as it gets. Just layer everything in your slow cooker, set it, and forget it. Here’s how to prepare this cozy meal:
Step 1: Prepare the Soup Base
Start by placing the chicken breasts (or thighs) at the bottom of your crockpot. You don’t need to cut them up—just add them whole. Then, add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic on top of the chicken. These vegetables will soften and meld into the broth as the dish cooks.
Next, pour in the chicken broth. Add the dried thyme, rosemary (if using), black pepper, and salt. Stir everything together so that the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the broth. If you’re using heavy cream, add it now as well. This will make the broth rich and creamy, adding to the comforting texture of the dish.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Set the crockpot to 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. If you’re cooking on low, you can just let the slow cooker do its thing while you go about your day. The longer cook time allows the flavors to develop and the chicken to become fall-apart tender.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the crockpot. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine the chicken with the vegetables and broth. The chicken will absorb the flavorful broth and add to the overall heartiness of the soup.
Step 4: Prepare the Dumplings
While the chicken is shredding, it’s time to prepare the dumplings. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir the dry ingredients together until well combined.
Next, pour in the milk and melted butter, stirring gently to form a thick batter. The batter should be thick but still spoonable. If it’s too thick, you can add a little more milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Be careful not to overmix, as this could lead to dense dumplings.
Step 5: Add the Dumplings to the Crockpot
Now it’s time to add the dumplings to the crockpot. Using a spoon, drop the dumpling batter in spoonfuls on top of the soup. Try to evenly space them out so that they cook uniformly. Don’t worry if they’re floating on top—the dumplings will puff up as they cook and float on the surface of the broth.
Cover the crockpot and let the dumplings cook for an additional 30 minutes on high (or 45 minutes on low) until they’re puffed up and cooked through. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the dumplings are cooked through, give the soup a final stir and taste it to see if it needs any additional seasoning. If it needs more salt or pepper, add it now. Spoon the chicken and dumplings into bowls, garnish with freshly chopped parsley (if desired), and serve immediately.
Serving and Storage
This Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings is the perfect one-pot meal that’s great for serving a crowd or meal prepping for the week ahead. Here are a few serving and storage tips:
Serving Suggestions
- With Fresh Bread: Serve this comforting dish with a side of warm, crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the creamy broth.
- With a Side Salad: Pair with a simple side salad for a balanced meal. A light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette will complement the rich, creamy soup.
- Garnished with Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme adds a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor.
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), this soup stores wonderfully in the fridge. Here’s how to store it:
- Refrigeration: Allow the soup to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: If you want to freeze this dish, it freezes well—just make sure to store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The dumplings may lose some of their fluffiness after freezing, but the flavor will still be fantastic.
To reheat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove over low heat, adding a bit of extra broth or cream if needed to loosen it up.
Tips
To make sure your Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings turns out perfectly, here are a few helpful tips:
- Use Bone
