Ultimate Chicken and Dumplings

Welcome to the world of effortless cooking! For busy schedules, chicken in a crockpot recipes are a game-changer. This recipe for comforting chicken and dumplings brings warmth and flavor to your table with minimal effort. It is easy to prepare, incredibly delicious, and a guaranteed family favorite. This article provides the complete recipe, along with essential tips, storage advice, and variations to make your cooking experience a breeze.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chicken Recipe

This crockpot chicken recipe simplifies dinner time while delivering maximum flavor.

• Effortless Preparation: Minimal hands-on time means more freedom for you.
• Rich, Savory Comfort: Every spoonful offers a delightful blend of hearty flavors.
• Tender Chicken & Fluffy Dumplings: Enjoy perfectly cooked chicken and soft, homemade dumplings.
• Ideal for Meal Prep: Easily make ahead or freeze for future quick meals.
• One-Pot Convenience: Everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup incredibly easy.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create a truly satisfying meal. This one of the best chicken in a crockpot recipes uses fresh and pantry staples for amazing flavor.

For the Chicken Soup:

• 1 medium sweet yellow onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 12 ounces frozen peas and carrots, 2 ½ cups

For the Dumplings:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup milk (whole milk is best)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to adapt this crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe to your preferences. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. Substitute fresh carrots or celery for frozen, just adjust the cook time as needed. Use homemade or store-bought chicken broth. Any dairy or non-dairy milk works for the dumplings. Always adjust seasonings to your personal taste.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools for this delicious slow cooker chicken recipe.

• 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large mixing bowl
• Small whisk or fork
• Instant-read meat thermometer

Instructions

Creating amazing chicken in a crockpot recipes is simple with these step-by-step instructions. This recipe is designed to be beginner-friendly.

1. Prepare Slow Cooker: Add the diced onion and butter pieces to the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Add Chicken & Seasonings: Place the chicken breasts on top of the onion and butter. Sprinkle the dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken breasts. Add the bay leaves to the pot.
3. Pour Liquid: Carefully pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker, ensuring it mostly covers the chicken.
4. Initial Cook: Cover your slow cooker with the lid. Cook on the high setting for 3-4 hours or on the low setting for 6-7 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender.
5. Prepare Dumpling Dough: When the initial cook time for the chicken is almost complete, start making your dumpling dough. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the milk and the melted butter. Stir with a fork until the dough just comes together and is well combined.
6. Chill Dough: Place the dumpling dough in the refrigerator for a few minutes while you prepare the chicken. This brief chilling helps the dough become a bit more manageable.
7. Thicken Soup: Make a cornstarch slurry by whisking together the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl until smooth. Set this aside. Remove the cooked chicken breasts to a clean plate or bowl. Carefully remove and discard the bay leaves from the slow cooker. Stir the cornstarch slurry and the frozen peas and carrots into the slow cooker. Return the lid. If you were cooking on low, switch your slow cooker to the high setting now, as the dumplings cook best on high.
8. Shred Chicken: Shred the cooked chicken using two forks. Once shredded, stir the chicken back into the slow cooker with the soup and vegetables.
9. Add Dumplings: Work quickly to minimize the time the lid is off the slow cooker. Scoop small spoonfuls, about 1 tablespoon each, of the chilled dumpling dough. Place these spoonfuls in a single layer directly on top of the simmering soup in the slow cooker. There will likely be some space between the dumplings, which is fine; they will expand as they cook. Gently spoon a little of the hot broth over each dumpling.
10. Final Cook: Cover the slow cooker once more. Cook for an additional 1 ½ – 2 hours on the high setting, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy. Test one to ensure it is no longer doughy in the center.
11. Serve Warm: Once the dumplings are cooked, remove any remaining bay leaves and serve your ultimate chicken in a crockpot recipe warm.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Mastering chicken in a crockpot recipes is easy with these simple tips.

• Don’t Overcook Chicken: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken breasts reach 165°F and remain tender.
• Prevent Dry Breasts: Ensure your crockpot is at least half full with liquid and ingredients to create a moist environment.
• Browning Thighs: For a richer flavor, sear bone-in or boneless chicken thighs in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker.
• Frozen Chicken Safety: Always thaw chicken completely before slow cooking. The USDA recommends against cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker due to uneven heating.
• Dumpling Don’ts: Resist the urge to frequently lift the lid while the dumplings cook; this releases steam critical for their rise.
• Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thinner soup, add a splash more broth. For a thicker consistency, make an extra cornstarch slurry.

Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations

This fantastic chicken in a crockpot recipe offers great versatility.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this hearty dish with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness. A light green salad also makes a perfect complement.

Storage

Refrigerate any leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing

The cooked soup, without the dumplings, freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Freeze in freezer-safe bags or containers. Reheat gently on the stovetop and add freshly made dumplings, or simply serve with crusty bread.

Variations

• Vegetables: Add sliced mushrooms, diced celery, or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrients.
• Spicier: Include a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
• Creamy: Stir in a block of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream at the very end for an extra rich, creamy soup.
• Herbs: Experiment with other dried herbs like rosemary or sage for different aromatic profiles.
• Quick Dumplings: For an even faster option, use canned biscuit dough cut into quarters instead of making homemade dumplings. Drop them in during the final cooking stage.
• Chicken Cut: Use bone-in chicken thighs for a richer, more flavorful broth and even juicier chicken.

Nutrition

This recipe provides a balanced meal with good protein and moderate carbohydrates. This is an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of this delightful chicken in a crockpot recipe.

FAQ

Discover more about making the best chicken in a crockpot recipes with these answers.

• Can I use frozen chicken in a crockpot? The USDA recommends thawing chicken completely before slow cooking. This ensures it cooks evenly and reaches a safe internal temperature quickly.
• What kind of chicken is best for slow cooking? Both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs work well. Thighs tend to stay juicier, while breasts are leaner and cook quickly.
• How do I prevent my chicken from drying out? Ensure there is enough liquid in the slow cooker and avoid overcooking. An instant-read thermometer helps you hit the perfect temperature.
• Can I make this recipe dairy-free? Yes, you can substitute plant-based milk and butter alternatives for the dumplings. The flavor might vary slightly, but the texture will be similar.
• What are good side dishes? Crusty bread, rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad are excellent choices that complement the rich flavors.
• How to thicken crockpot chicken recipes? A cornstarch slurry is an effective way to thicken soups. Mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water, then stir it into the hot liquid during the last hour of cooking.

Conclusion

This ultimate chicken in a crockpot recipe for chicken and dumplings truly embodies comfort and convenience. It is a foolproof method to create a hearty, flavorful meal that everyone will love. Lily Hanna’s mission is making simple recipes for beginners, and this dish certainly fits the bill! We encourage you to try this delightful recipe soon. Share your experience with us and explore more easy crockpot chicken recipes to simplify your cooking journey.

Ultimate Chicken and Dumplings: Your Go-To Crockpot Chicken Recipe

This comforting crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe features tender chicken cooked in a savory broth, topped with fluffy homemade dumplings, making it an ideal hearty meal for any day.

Print Recipe click

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 7 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

• slow cooker
• medium mixing bowl
• fork
• small bowl
• clean plate or bowl

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken Soup

• 1 medium sweet yellow onion diced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
• 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 12 ounces frozen peas and carrots or 2 ½ cups

For the Dumplings

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup milk whole milk is best
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Add the diced onion, butter, chicken breasts, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and chicken broth to the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
• Prepare the dumpling dough by whisking together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; then stir in milk and melted butter with a fork until a dough forms, and chill it briefly.
• Create a cornstarch slurry, remove the chicken and discard bay leaves, then stir the slurry and frozen vegetables into the slow cooker, switching to high heat if on low.
• Shred the cooked chicken and stir it back into the slow cooker with the soup mixture.
• Quickly scoop about 1 tablespoon of dumpling dough onto the soup in a single layer, spooning broth over each dumpling; cover and cook on high for 1.5-2 hours until dumplings are cooked through, then serve.

Notes

For best dumpling texture, use whole milk. Ensure your slow cooker is on the high setting when cooking the dumplings. Avoid lifting the lid frequently during dumpling cooking to maintain consistent heat.