If you’re craving comfort food that literally cooks itself while you go about your day, this Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how this recipe turns out every time—creamy, flavorful chicken with tender, flaky dumplings all cozying up in one pot. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find that it hits all those warm, nostalgic notes that make a meal feel like a big kitchen hug.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Just prep and let the crock pot do all the work for hours.
- Classic Comfort Food: Creamy broth, tender chicken, and soft dumplings in every bite.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples come together perfectly for a no-fuss meal.
- Family Favorite: My whole family begs for this dish on chilly evenings—it’s that good.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together in a beautiful way—nothing too fancy, but every piece plays a part to make sure your Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is creamy, flavorful, and comforting. I always recommend picking fresh parsley if you can; it brightens the whole dish.
- Onion: Diced onion adds that subtle sweetness and depth to the broth.
- Condensed Cream of Celery Soup: This brings a gentle celery flavor that pairs wonderfully with chicken.
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds richness and that classic creamy base everyone loves.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped parsley brightens and freshens the heavy creaminess.
- Poultry Seasoning: Essential for that herbaceous warmth—don’t skip it!
- Black Pepper: Just a touch to balance the creaminess and add a little kick.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The star protein that soaks up all the flavors.
- Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth: Keeps things flavorful without overwhelming saltiness.
- Frozen Vegetables (Peas and Carrots): Adds sweet, tender veggies without extra chopping.
- Refrigerated Biscuits (Buttermilk, Country, or Homestyle): My trick to easy dumplings—just roll and cut!
Variations
I love to mix it up with this Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or pantry, and you should too! Personalizing recipes like this makes the dish your own and keeps it exciting.
- Use Different Veggies: I sometimes swap the peas and carrots for green beans or corn—both add great texture and sweetness.
- Biscuits Swap: If you prefer gluten-free, try gluten-free biscuit dough or even homemade dumplings from scratch.
- Herbs Tweak: Adding a dash of thyme or rosemary brings a lovely earthiness that I personally adore.
- Spicy Kick: For a little heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños before cooking.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Step 1: Layer Your Base
Start by adding your diced onion directly into your 6-quart crock pot—that little layer of sweetness really builds the flavor base. Then place the chicken breasts right on top. Having the chicken on top helps it cook evenly as the crock pot does its magic.
Step 2: Mix and Pour the Sauce
Next, whisk together the cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, chopped parsley, poultry seasoning, and black pepper in a small bowl. Spreading this over the chicken is like wrapping it in a blanket of flavor. Pour chicken broth over everything and set your crock pot to high for 5 hours. It’s like slow cooking luxury with minimal effort.
Step 3: Prep and Add Dumplings
After about 4 hours, it’s time to prep your dumplings. I roll each biscuit thin and flat, then cut them into 4 strips. Adding the frozen vegetables next makes sure they stay vibrant and fresh. Sprinkle the biscuit strips on top, quickly replace the lid, and let them cook for the last hour. This timing ensures the dumplings cook through without turning gummy.
Step 4: Shred and Stir
Before serving, take out the chicken breasts and shred them slightly—don’t worry if the dumplings break up a bit when you stir everything together; that’s part of the cozy charm! Let it cook for another 10 minutes, then dig in.
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Use Fresh Parsley: I learned that fresh parsley really lifts the flavors, so I always use it instead of dried.
- Don’t Skip Rolling Biscuits Thin: Rolling the biscuit dough thinner helps the dumplings cook evenly without being doughy.
- Add Vegetables at the Right Time: Tossing in the veggies an hour before the end keeps them tender-crisp, not mushy.
- Avoid Overcooking Dumplings: I noticed some slow cookers run hotter, so I check the dumplings at 60 minutes to avoid soggy results.
How to Serve Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling extra fresh parsley on top—it adds a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I add a dash of cracked black pepper right before serving for that little bite that wakes up the creamy flavors.
Side Dishes
Since this recipe is filling and full of hearty goodness, I usually keep the sides simple. A fresh green salad or some steamed green beans are perfect companions. On colder days, a crusty slice of bread to soak up every bit of that creamy sauce is a must.
Creative Ways to Present
For special family dinners, I serve individual portions in rustic ramekins sprinkled with a little shredded cheddar cheese on top, melted under the broiler for a few minutes. It’s such a fun, cozy upgrade your guests will love!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making leftovers just as delicious. Just be mindful that the dumplings soak up some broth overnight, so it might be thicker the next day.
Freezing
I’ve had great luck freezing the fully cooked leftovers in portions. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave to keep that creamy texture intact. Dumplings sometimes get a little softer, but the flavor stays spot-on.
Reheating
The best way I found to reheat crock pot chicken and dumplings is on low heat in a pot with a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up. Stir gently until warmed through—this keeps the dumplings tender and prevents the sauce from sticking or drying.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a bit more richness and stay juicy during slow cooking. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly if your thighs are bone-in.
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What if I don’t have refrigerated biscuit dough?
You can easily make your own dumpling dough or use frozen biscuit dough, but remember to thaw before rolling and cutting. Homemade dumplings are delicious too, just add them carefully to avoid overcooking.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and use vegetable-based cream soups or homemade creamy sauces. Swap chicken breasts for hearty vegetables like mushrooms or tofu.
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How do I prevent the dumplings from turning soggy?
The key is adding the biscuit strips after most of the chicken has cooked, giving them time to cook but not soak too long. Keeping the lid on tightly during this stage helps them steam perfectly without getting mushy.
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Can I cook this on low instead of high?
You can! Cooking on low will take about 7-8 hours instead of 5. Just add the dumplings and veggies during the last 1-1.5 hours and keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe has become my go-to comfort meal whenever I want something cozy without fuss. It’s like a little warm hug after a busy day, and sharing it with family just makes it better. I genuinely hope you love this as much as we do—once you try it, it’s going to become your slow cooker favorite too.
Print
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a comforting, hearty slow-cooked meal perfect for chilly days. Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy mixture of celery and chicken soups with fresh seasonings, then topped with flaky biscuit dumplings and vegetables. This easy one-pot dish combines rich flavors and a satisfying texture, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Broth:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
For the Creamy Soup Mixture:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Vegetables and Dumplings:
- 2 cups frozen vegetables or peas and carrots, thawed
- 1 can (16.3 ounces) refrigerated biscuits (Buttermilk, Country, or Homestyle)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crock Pot: Add the diced onion to the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot, then place the boneless skinless chicken breasts on top of the onion.
- Mix the Creamy Soup Base: In a small bowl, combine the condensed cream of celery soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, chopped fresh parsley, poultry seasoning, and black pepper. Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the crock pot.
- Add Chicken Broth and Cook: Pour the 2 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth over the soup mixture and chicken. Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 5 hours.
- Prepare Dumplings and Vegetables: About 1 hour before serving (approximately after 4 hours of cooking), roll each refrigerated biscuit thin and flat on a clean surface. Cut each biscuit into 4 strips. Add the thawed frozen vegetables into the slow cooker and stir gently to combine.
- Add Dumplings to Crock Pot: Layer the biscuit strips on top of the vegetables and chicken mixture in the crock pot. Quickly replace the lid to keep the heat trapped inside so the biscuits can cook through.
- Finish Cooking and Serve: Once the biscuits have cooked for about 60 minutes, carefully remove the chicken breasts and shred them slightly. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir gently. Let cook an additional 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and dumplings to soften further. Serve hot.
Notes
- Cooking times for the biscuits may vary depending on your slow cooker. Some may require extra time beyond 60 minutes for the dumplings to fully cook.
- Nutrition estimates can vary based on brands of products used and exact measurements.
- For a thicker broth, reduce the amount of chicken broth or use less soup.
- You can substitute frozen mixed vegetables with peas and carrots or any preferred vegetable blend.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
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