The Ultimate Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe: Your New Favorite Comfort Food
There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of Chicken and Dumplings to evoke feelings of comfort and home. This classic dish, beloved by many, receives an effortless upgrade when prepared in a slow cooker. My own husband, a true connoisseur of Chicken and Dumplings, was initially quite skeptical when I proposed a crockpot version. He wondered if it could truly capture the traditional essence he cherished. I’m absolutely delighted to report that not only did it meet his expectations, but it surpassed them with flying colors! He eagerly went back for seconds, showering the dish with praise and declaring it absolutely amazing. This recipe truly transforms a family favorite into an incredibly convenient and undeniably delicious meal.
Why This Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is a Game-Changer
If you’re searching for an incredibly simple yet profoundly satisfying meal, your quest ends here. This slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe is a culinary revelation. It demands minimal hands-on effort but delivers maximum flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends. The magic of the crockpot ensures the chicken becomes incredibly tender, practically falling off the bone, while the broth slowly simmers to a rich, savory perfection. And let’s not forget the enticing aroma – your entire house will be filled with the most inviting, homey fragrance, creating anticipation for the delicious meal to come!
This dish embodies the quintessential comfort food, making it ideal for those cool fall evenings when you crave something warm and nourishing. However, don’t feel limited to autumn; it’s a fantastic choice any time you want to treat your taste buds to pure happiness. The beauty of slow cooking lies in its ability to allow all the flavors to meld together beautifully over hours, creating a depth that is challenging to achieve with quicker cooking methods. Each spoonful offers a harmonious blend of succulent chicken, perfectly soft vegetables, and fluffy, savory dumplings steeped in a creamy, herb-infused broth.
Understanding the Classic: What Makes Chicken and Dumplings So Special?
Chicken and Dumplings is a cherished traditional dish deeply rooted in Southern American cuisine, though delightful variations can be found in different cultures worldwide. At its core, it’s a hearty stew featuring a rich, creamy chicken broth, tender pieces of chicken, and light, fluffy dumplings that are cooked directly within the stew. The dumplings are perhaps the most distinctive element; as they cook, they absorb the savory flavors of the broth, becoming wonderfully tender and soft. It’s a meal designed to warm you from the inside out, often passed down through generations, and celebrated for its comforting simplicity and heartwarming qualities.
Using a crockpot or slow cooker takes this classic to another level of convenience and flavor. The slow, gentle cooking process works wonders on the chicken, breaking down its fibers and resulting in meat that is incredibly moist, succulent, and easily shredded. This method also allows the accompanying vegetables—potatoes, celery, and onion, along with often-added carrots—to soften perfectly and release their natural sweetness and savory notes into the broth. This creates a more complex, deeply flavored, and satisfying base for the dumplings. This hands-off approach truly brings out the best in every ingredient, making each bite a delightful experience without the constant tending of a stovetop recipe.
Essential Ingredients for Your Ultimate Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
Creating this delicious slow cooker meal requires a few simple, wholesome ingredients that work together to build incredible flavor and texture. The magic happens when these components slowly simmer to perfection. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need, along with some tips for selecting the best:
Protein Power: The Chicken
- Chicken thighs (bone-in): Using bone-in chicken thighs is highly recommended for this recipe. The bones release collagen and other compounds during the long cooking process, which significantly enhances the richness and depth of flavor in the broth, contributing to a more luxurious, full-bodied stew. Thighs are also naturally more forgiving and less likely to dry out during slow cooking compared to leaner cuts, ensuring incredibly succulent chicken.
- Chicken legs (bone-in): Similar to thighs, bone-in chicken legs offer excellent flavor and tenderness. Using a mix of both thighs and legs can provide a nice variety in texture and taste. For those who prefer a quicker prep, boneless, skinless chicken can be used, but be aware that it might slightly reduce the depth of flavor in the final dish.
The Creamy Base: Broth & Soup
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This is a foundational ingredient for achieving that classic creamy, comforting consistency that many associate with chicken and dumplings. It helps to naturally thicken the broth and adds a familiar layer of savory, umami flavor that makes the dish so appealing.
- Chicken Broth: Essential for providing the liquid base of the stew. We recommend opting for a good quality, low-sodium chicken broth. This allows you to control the seasoning to your exact preference without the risk of the stew becoming overly salty from pre-seasoned ingredients.
Hearty Vegetables: Freshness and Flavor
- Celery: Adds a subtle earthy flavor, a touch of freshness, and a pleasant, tender texture to the stew. Ensure it’s chopped into small, uniform pieces so it cooks evenly and integrates well into the dish.
- Potatoes (peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces): A crucial component for adding substance, making the dish even more hearty and filling. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work exceptionally well here, as they hold their shape during slow cooking but still become beautifully tender. Cutting them into consistent bite-sized pieces is key for even cooking.
- Onion (medium): Provides a foundational aromatic flavor that sweetens and deepens the overall taste of the stew as it slow cooks. A yellow or white onion will lend a wonderful savory base.
- Carrots (peeled and chopped): Although not explicitly listed in the original bullet points, carrots are a traditional ingredient in many chicken and dumpling recipes and appear in the instructions. They add a lovely natural sweetness, vibrant color, and additional nutrients to the dish.
The Star of the Show: Fluffy Dumplings
- Bisquick mix: This versatile pre-made baking mix is the secret to incredibly easy and consistently fluffy dumplings. It dramatically simplifies the dumpling-making process, allowing you to quickly prepare the dough by simply following the basic biscuit directions on the package.
- Butter: Used to create a savory sage butter that is gently brushed over the dumplings before their final cooking. This step adds an extra layer of richness, a golden-brown hue, and more depth of flavor to the dumplings.
Seasonings to Perfection
- Garlic: While not originally in the explicit “Seasonings” list, garlic is a foundational flavor in almost all savory dishes and especially complements chicken stews. You can use fresh minced garlic (1-2 cloves) or a teaspoon of garlic powder to enhance the overall aroma and taste.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing all the natural flavors of the vegetables and broth. Remember to adjust to taste, especially if your chicken broth is already seasoned.
- Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and balances the dish beautifully. Freshly ground black pepper is always recommended for the most vibrant flavor.
- Sage Spice: This aromatic herb pairs wonderfully with chicken and provides that classic, earthy poultry seasoning flavor profile. It’s used both to season the chicken before cooking and is incorporated into the butter brushed over the dumplings, amplifying the dish’s comforting essence.
Choosing the Right Slow Cooker for Your Comfort Meal
A reliable slow cooker is an indispensable kitchen tool for this recipe, transforming a traditional, labor-intensive dish into a hands-off, delightful meal. We highly recommend using a slow cooker that features a digital timer. This type of appliance offers significant convenience because it can be programmed to automatically switch to a “warm” setting after the set cooking time is complete. This intelligent feature is a true game-changer: it ensures your dinner cooks perfectly without the risk of overcooking, even if you’re not home precisely when the cooking cycle finishes. It effectively takes the stress out of meal preparation and guarantees your chicken and dumplings will be ready and waiting at the ideal serving temperature whenever you are.
When selecting a slow cooker, look for one with at least a 6-quart capacity. This size is generally sufficient to comfortably fit all the ingredients for this recipe, including multiple chicken pieces and a generous amount of vegetables and broth. Oval-shaped slow cookers are often preferred for larger cuts of meat like bone-in chicken legs and thighs, as they allow the ingredients to lay flat and cook more evenly. While modern features such as programmable timers, delayed start options, and even Wi-Fi connectivity (allowing remote control via smartphone) offer added convenience, even a basic manual slow cooker will yield excellent results. The key is to monitor the cooking time, especially if your model doesn’t have an automatic warming function, to prevent overcooking and ensure the chicken remains tender and the dumplings are perfectly fluffy.
CrockPot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Easy comfort food the entire family will love! This Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe will be a new family favorite!
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken thighs (bone-in)
- 4 Chicken legs (bone-in)
- 10.5 oz Cream of Chicken Soup
- 2 C Chicken Broth
- 2 ribs Celery, chopped
- 3 Potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces
- ½ medium Onion, chopped
- 2 Carrots, peeled and chopped
- 7.5 oz Bisquick Baking Mix
- 2 Tablespoons Butter, melted
- 1-2 cloves Garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
- Sage Spice, to taste (divided)
Instructions
- Generously season the chicken thighs and legs on both sides with salt, pepper, and a portion of the sage.
- Combine the chopped potatoes, celery, onion, and carrots in the slow cooker. Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the vegetables. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours.
- After 5 hours, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let it cool slightly until it’s comfortable to handle. Once cooled, remove the skin, cartilage, and bones, then shred or chop the chicken meat. Discard the skin, cartilage, and bones. Set the shredded chicken aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the can of cream of chicken soup and the remaining one cup of chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Pour this creamy mixture into the slow cooker with the vegetables. Add the reserved shredded chicken and stir everything together gently to combine.
- Prepare the Bisquick mix according to the package directions for basic biscuits. The dough should be soft but manageable. Once prepared, divide the dough into about 5 equal portions. Gently drop these portions directly on top of the chicken and vegetable mixture in the slow cooker, ensuring they rest on the surface and have room to expand.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with a pinch of the remaining sage. Carefully brush this sage butter mixture over the tops of the raw Bisquick dumplings. This step adds a beautiful golden color and an extra layer of savory flavor.
- Replace the lid on the slow cooker and continue to cook on low for another 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the dumplings are fully cooked through, light, and fluffy. They should be firm to the touch and no longer doughy in the center.
- Once cooked, ladle the hot Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings into bowls and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy this wonderfully comforting and easy meal!
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker (at least 6-quart capacity recommended)
- Large mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and chef’s knife
Nutrition Information
Calories from Fat 297
Tips for Perfect Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Every Time
To ensure your slow cooker chicken and dumplings turn out perfectly delicious and comforting every time, consider these helpful tips and best practices:
- Resist the Urge to Peek: This is perhaps the most crucial tip, especially during the dumpling cooking phase. Resist the temptation to lift the lid of your slow cooker frequently. Each time you lift the lid, a significant amount of accumulated heat and steam escapes, which can drastically extend the cooking time and negatively affect the dumplings’ ability to steam properly and fluff up to their ideal texture.
- Evenly Sized Vegetables: For consistent results, chop your potatoes, celery, onions, and carrots into roughly uniform, bite-sized pieces. This ensures that all vegetables cook evenly and become tender at the same rate, preventing some from being undercooked and crunchy or overcooked and mushy.
- Adjusting Broth Thickness: If you prefer a thicker, more gravy-like consistency for your stew, you can easily achieve this. After removing the chicken in step 3, remove about a cup or two of the hot broth from the slow cooker. In a separate small bowl, whisk 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a small amount of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Stir this slurry into the removed hot broth, then return the mixture to the slow cooker and stir well before adding the cream of chicken soup. This step is optional, as the cream of chicken soup and the starches from the potatoes will naturally thicken the stew over time.
- Strategic Dumpling Placement: When dropping the Bisquick dough into the slow cooker, try to space them out a little, allowing each dumpling some room to expand as it cooks. Avoid crowding them together, as this could lead to uneven cooking and dense spots. They should float on top of the stew.
- Checking Dumpling Doneness: The best way to check if your dumplings are thoroughly cooked is to insert a wooden skewer or a toothpick into the center of one. If it comes out clean, they are ready. Cooked dumplings should be light, fluffy, and tender throughout, not dense or gooey in the middle.
- Season to Your Taste: Always taste the stew and adjust seasonings at the very end of cooking. Depending on the sodium content of your chicken broth and cream of chicken soup, you might need to add more salt, black pepper, or even an extra dash of sage to achieve your desired flavor balance.
Delicious Variations to Personalize Your Dish
While the classic Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is fantastic on its own, there are many creative ways to customize it to your family’s preferences and dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
- Boost Your Veggies: Feel free to toss in other nutrient-rich vegetables. Frozen peas, corn, or green beans can be added during the last hour of cooking for extra color and vitamins. Sliced mushrooms or spinach (added at the very end until wilted) can also be delightful additions.
- Herbaceous Twists: Experiment with different herbs to alter the flavor profile. Thyme, rosemary, or a good quality poultry seasoning blend can complement sage beautifully. For a brighter, fresher taste, stir in some fresh chopped parsley or chives just before serving.
- Different Chicken Cuts: While bone-in chicken is recommended for its flavor contribution, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs can be used for even quicker prep and shredding. Just be mindful that boneless cuts may cook faster and could dry out if overcooked, so adjust cooking times if necessary.
- Cheesy Dumplings: For an extra layer of indulgence and savory flavor, mix about a quarter cup of shredded cheddar cheese or Parmesan into your Bisquick dumpling dough before dropping it into the slow cooker.
- A Hint of Spice: If you enjoy a little warmth in your comfort food, a pinch of red pepper flakes added to the stew with the chicken can provide a subtle, pleasant kick.
- Creaminess Factor: For an even richer, creamier broth, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
More Delicious Crockpot Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and incredible flavor of slow cooker meals, you’re in for a treat! We have an extensive collection of other fantastic crockpot chicken recipes and more that are just as simple to prepare and equally satisfying. Once you experience the convenience of “set-it-and-forget-it” cooking, you’ll likely want to make your slow cooker a permanent fixture on your kitchen countertop.
Beyond this delightful dish, explore some of our other popular slow cooker recipes:
- Crock Pot Gumbo Recipe
- Crock Pot Tequila Chicken
- Crock Pot Cashew Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken Chili
- Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice
And for those who appreciate the incredible versatility of Bisquick baking mix, don’t miss our full collection of Bisquick Recipes. It’s truly amazing what you can create with one simple, ready-to-use mix!
Do you love discovering new culinary delights, whether they’re tried-and-true classics or innovative twists? Be sure to explore our extensive categories: check out our copycat recipes for recreating restaurant favorites at home, indulge your sweet tooth with our delightful dessert recipes, and find even more hands-off meal ideas in our comprehensive collection of CrockPot Recipes.
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