Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings: The Easiest Comfort Food Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of creamy crockpot chicken and dumplings on a chilly day. It’s the kind of soul-warming comfort food that feels like a hug in a bowl. This recipe is designed to be incredibly easy, using your slow cooker to do all the hard work. With minimal prep, you get a rich, savory chicken stew packed with tender vegetables and topped with the most incredibly fluffy dumplings.

We’re talking a true “set it and forget it” meal that the whole family will love. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the kitchen, this foolproof method delivers perfect results every single time. Get ready to make your new favorite weeknight dinner!

Why This is the Best Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

You’ll find countless recipes out there, but this one stands out for a few simple reasons. It’s all about maximum flavor with minimum effort.

• Incredibly Easy: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can have everything in the slow cooker. It’s the perfect meal for busy days.
• Super Creamy Sauce: We use a simple combination of cream of chicken soup and chicken broth that cooks down into a velvety, rich sauce without any complicated steps.
• Perfectly Fluffy Dumplings: Using refrigerated biscuit dough is the ultimate shortcut! They cook up light, fluffy, and delicious, soaking up all that amazing gravy.
• Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base. Feel free to add your favorite veggies or herbs to make it your own.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature comforting flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and easy to shred. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra flavor and moisture.
• Vegetables: A classic mix of yellow onion, carrots, and celery (also known as a mirepoix) builds the foundational savory flavor of the stew.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: This is our secret weapon for an ultra-creamy, flavorful base without any fuss.
• Chicken Broth: Use a low-sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the final dish.
• Seasoning: A simple blend of dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper is all you need.
• Refrigerated Biscuits: A can of refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands!) makes for the quickest, fluffiest dumplings.
• Fresh Parsley: A little fresh parsley stirred in at the end adds a pop of color and freshness.

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings in the Crockpot (Step-by-Step)

Making this dish is as simple as layering ingredients and letting the slow cooker work its magic. Here’s how to do it:

1. Layer the Ingredients: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Top with the chopped onion, carrots, and celery.
2. Create the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables.
3. Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to combine.
5. Add the Dumplings: Open the can of biscuits and separate them. Cut each biscuit into four equal pieces (quarters). Drop the biscuit pieces one by one over the top of the chicken stew.
6. Cook the Dumplings: Place the lid back on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for another 45-60 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and have puffed up. Avoid lifting the lid during this time!
7. Finish and Serve: Gently stir in the fresh parsley. Serve your delicious crockpot chicken and dumplings hot.

The Secret to Fluffy Dumplings (Two Ways!)

While this recipe focuses on ease with canned biscuits, you might be curious about other options. Here’s the breakdown.

Option 1: The Quick & Easy Way (With Biscuits)

This is the method used in the main recipe, and for good reason! It’s foolproof. The key is to not overcrowd the crockpot and to resist the urge to peek while the dumplings are cooking. Trapping the steam is what helps them puff up into those perfect, fluffy pillows.

Option 2: Simple From-Scratch Dumplings

Feeling a little more ambitious? Making dumplings from scratch is easier than you think! Simply whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cut in 4 tablespoons of cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 3/4 cup of milk until just combined. Drop spoonfuls of this dough on top of the stew instead of the biscuits and cook for the same amount of time.

Pro Tips for the Creamiest, Most Flavorful Results

• Don’t Stir the Dumplings: Once you add the dumplings, don’t stir them into the stew. Let them sit on top to steam properly. Stirring can cause them to become dense and gummy.
• For an Extra Rich Sauce: For an even creamier, more luxurious sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or 2 ounces of softened cream cheese during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
• Thicken if Needed: If you prefer a thicker stew, make a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then stir it into the crockpot about 30 minutes before serving.
• Use Chicken Thighs: For a richer flavor, swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They have more fat, which translates to more flavor and moisture. If you love both, check out our simple crockpot chicken thighs recipe!

What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings

This is a hearty, all-in-one meal, so you don’t need much on the side. A simple green vegetable is a perfect companion. We love serving it with steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a simple side salad with a vinaigrette to cut through the richness.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

Properly storing your leftovers ensures they taste just as good the next day. Here’s the best way to do it:

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

FL Recipes

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings: The Easiest Comfort Food Recipe

The easiest, creamiest crockpot chicken and dumplings made with canned biscuits! This set-and-forget slow cooker recipe creates a rich, savory stew with perfectly fluffy dumplings. The ultimate family comfort food.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Total Time 5 hours hrs

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 410

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 2 medium carrots peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks sliced
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup 10.5 oz each
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
• 1 can refrigerated biscuits 16.3 oz, such as Pillsbury Grands!
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• 1 6-quart slow cooker or Crock-Pot
• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 Knife

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Method

 

1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with the chopped onion, carrots, and celery.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the crockpot.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
4. Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the meat, then return it to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
5. Separate the biscuits and cut each one into quarters. Drop the biscuit pieces over the top of the chicken stew, spacing them out as much as possible.
6. Replace the lid and cook on HIGH for an additional 45-60 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through. Do not lift the lid during this time to ensure they steam properly.
7. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, stir gently, and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalProtein: 30gFat: 15gFiber: 4g

Notes

For an extra creamy sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream when you return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
To thicken the stew, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot about 30 minutes before the dumplings are done.
Avoid stirring after adding the dumplings, as this can make them dense.

Keyword chicken and dumplings with biscuits,comfort food,slow cooker

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More Cozy Crockpot Recipes to Try

If you loved the set-and-forget nature of this recipe, you’re in for a treat. The slow cooker is a true kitchen hero for creating comforting meals with minimal fuss. For another classic soup, try our hearty crockpot chicken noodle soup. And for a weekend dinner that will wow your family, you can’t go wrong with this amazing crockpot pot roast recipe. Looking for something cheesy? This crockpot mac and cheese is pure indulgence!

We hope you love this easy crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. And don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!