Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings: Homestyle Comfort (Print Version)

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings brings tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a savory broth together. A truly easy, comforting meal for busy weeknights.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 4 cups chicken broth, low sodium
03 - 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
04 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
05 - 2 celery stalks, chopped
06 - 2 carrots, peeled and chopped

→ Flavor Boosters

07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme
09 - 1 bay leaf
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

→ For the Dumplings

12 - 1.5 cups self-rising flour
13 - 2/3 cup milk
14 - 2 tbsp melted butter

→ Finishing Touches

15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that chicken and veggie base going for our Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings. Toss your chopped onion, celery, and carrots right into the bottom of your slow cooker. Nestle the chicken thighs on top of those veggies. Sprinkle with a good pinch of salt, pepper, and that lovely dried thyme. Don't be shy with the seasonings; they're going to infuse everything with flavor as it cooks. I always make sure the chicken is really nestled in there, like it's getting ready for a long, slow nap.
02 - Now, for the liquid gold! Pour in the chicken broth and that trusty can of cream of chicken soup. Stir it gently to combine, making sure the soup is mostly dissolved. Add in your minced garlic and that one bay leaf – don't forget it, it adds a subtle layer of something special, then remember to fish it out later! Cover your crock pot and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. The whole house will start smelling amazing, I promise. It's honestly the best part of slow cooking!
03 - About 30 minutes before you're ready to eat, it's dumpling time for our Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings! In a medium bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour and milk until it forms a soft, shaggy dough. Don't overmix it, though; a few lumps are totally fine. Overmixing makes tough dumplings, and nobody wants that! This is where I always get a little flour on my nose, oops!
04 - Now, for the fun part: dropping those dumplings into the simmering chicken mixture. Take a spoonful of the dough (I use a tablespoon measure, but a regular spoon works too) and gently drop it onto the hot liquid. Don't worry if they look a little messy; they'll puff up beautifully. Try to leave a little space between each one, because they need room to grow! I usually do it in batches, just to make sure they all cook evenly, you know?
05 - Cover the crock pot again and let those dumplings steam for about 20-30 minutes, or until they're puffed up and cooked through. You'll know they're ready when they look soft and pillowy, and a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean. This is where the magic happens, watching them transform! The aroma changes, becoming even richer and more comforting. It's a little moment of kitchen joy, honestly.
06 - Once the dumplings are done, carefully remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred it using two forks. It should be fall-apart tender, just like we want it! Discard any bones or skin, if you used bone-in thighs. Stir the shredded chicken back into the Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings mixture. Give it a taste and adjust seasonings if needed – maybe a little more salt or pepper? Remove the bay leaf, too. Then, ladle it into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately. Pure comfort, right there!

# Notes:

01 - Don't peek! Seriously, lifting the lid during the dumpling cooking phase lets out all the steam, and your dumplings won't puff up properly. I learned that the hard way.
02 - Always taste and adjust seasonings at the end. Slow cookers can sometimes mellow flavors, so a final pinch of salt or pepper can make all the difference.
03 - If your dumplings seem too thick, add a tiny splash more milk; too thin, a sprinkle of flour. It's okay to eyeball it a bit, you'll get a feel for it.
04 - A simple green salad or some crusty bread makes this dish a complete and cozy meal.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Slow cooker (Crock Pot)
02 - measuring cups and spoons
03 - large mixing bowl
04 - whisk
05 - forks for shredding chicken

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 28g

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