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Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

This Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a comforting, easy-to-make slow cooker meal featuring tender chicken, fluffy homemade dumplings, and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy evenings, it requires minimal prep and delivers hearty, satisfying flavors everyone will love.

  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Broth Base

  • 4 chicken thighs or breasts (preferably thighs for juiciness)
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or substitute rosemary or sage)

Dumplings

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup milk (or almond milk for dairy-free option)
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter (or dairy-free butter substitute)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Seasonings and Garnishes

  • Additional salt and pepper for seasoning
  • Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Base: Add chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery into your crockpot. Pour in the chicken broth, then place the chicken pieces on top. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme to create a rich, savory broth.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Set the crockpot to low and cook for about 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart.
  3. Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the crockpot and stir to combine with the broth and vegetables evenly.
  4. Prepare the Dumpling Dough: While the chicken cooks, mix flour, baking powder, salt, milk, melted butter, and chopped parsley until a soft dough forms. The baking powder ensures the dumplings will be light and fluffy.
  5. Add Dumplings to the Crockpot: Drop small spoonfuls of the dumpling dough directly onto the surface of the simmering broth. Do not stir, as the dumplings need steam to rise and cook properly.
  6. Cook the Dumplings: Cover the crockpot and allow the dumplings to steam for about 30 minutes until tender and puffed up, while the stew thickens.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat that stays tender in slow cooking.
  • Do not stir after adding dumplings to preserve their fluffy texture and allow proper rising.
  • Adjust salt, pepper, and herbs at the end of cooking, as slow cooking can mellow flavors.
  • If the broth is too thin, thicken with a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water).
  • Add fresh parsley or thyme just before serving for a vibrant flavor.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Contains Gluten and Dairy (can be modified to dairy-free and gluten-free with substitutions)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: crockpot chicken and dumplings, slow cooker chicken stew, comfort food, easy weeknight meal, chicken recipe