When the weather turns chilly and you’re craving something warm, comforting, and hearty, few meals satisfy like a bowl of chicken and dumplings. This classic dish is the epitome of cozy comfort food. Tender pieces of chicken, creamy broth, and fluffy dumplings combine to create a meal that feels like a big, warm hug. The beauty of this recipe, though, is that it’s made even more convenient by using a slow cooker, meaning you can set it and forget it while the magic happens.
The slow cooker method allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully without you having to hover over the stove. It’s perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends when you want something easy but satisfying. Plus, you’ll be left with minimal cleanup, which is always a win!
So, let’s dive into a recipe that will quickly become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re serving it up for a family dinner or preparing it for meal prep, chicken and dumplings in the slow cooker is bound to impress.
Chicken And Dumplings Soup Slow Cooker Recipe
This slow cooker version of chicken and dumplings is rich and creamy with tender chicken and soft, pillowy dumplings that cook right in the soup. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare. You’ll simply add your ingredients, turn on the slow cooker, and let it work its magic.
Ingredients Needed
Before you start cooking, let’s make sure you have all the right ingredients on hand. You won’t need anything fancy or hard to find, just a few simple staples to create a dish that feels like it came straight out of a homestyle kitchen.
- Chicken – You’ll need about 2 pounds of bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Thighs are a bit more flavorful and tender, but you can use whatever you prefer.
- Carrots – Slice them into rounds for a nice, even texture throughout the soup.
- Celery – Chop the celery into bite-sized pieces to add some crunch and flavor.
- Onion – A yellow or white onion, diced finely to form the aromatic base of the soup.
- Garlic – Minced or finely chopped for that rich depth of flavor.
- Chicken broth – This is the liquid base of your soup, and it’s what will make the dish so comforting and savory.
- Heavy cream or milk – This will make the soup extra creamy and rich. You can use whichever you prefer depending on your dietary needs.
- Flour – For thickening the soup and giving it a creamy, silky texture.
- Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, dried thyme, bay leaves, and parsley are the go-to seasonings here. They give the soup its comforting, familiar taste.
- Frozen peas – These add a pop of color and a hint of sweetness to balance the richness of the soup.
- Dumpling ingredients – Flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and seasonings (usually a pinch of salt, some garlic powder, and parsley). These ingredients come together to form the soft, fluffy dumplings that complete the dish.
Cooking Instructions
Now let’s walk through the process of making this delicious soup in the slow cooker. It’s super straightforward, so even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, you’ll find it easy to tackle.
- Prepare the chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. You can either keep it whole or cut it into chunks, depending on your preference. For a richer flavor, bone-in chicken is great because it imparts more depth to the broth.
- Layer the veggies: Add the chopped carrots, celery, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker. These vegetables will cook down and soften, infusing the broth with their flavors.
- Add the liquid: Pour in the chicken broth and add your bay leaves and thyme. Stir everything together to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and easy to shred once done. It’s helpful to check halfway through the cooking time to see how everything is progressing.
- Shred the chicken: When the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the soup and give everything a good stir.
- Make the dumplings: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and seasonings. The dough should be thick but slightly sticky.
- Add the dumplings: Spoon the dumpling dough into the slow cooker on top of the soup. Be sure to space them out a little because they’ll expand as they cook. Cover the slow cooker and let the dumplings cook on high for another 30 minutes to an hour until they are fluffy and cooked through.
- Finish the soup: Once the dumplings are ready, stir in the frozen peas and heavy cream or milk for that final creamy touch. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Ingredient Insights
Each ingredient in this dish plays a critical role, adding flavor, texture, and nutritional value to the soup.
- Chicken: Using bone-in, skinless chicken thighs ensures a rich, flavorful broth. Chicken thighs have more fat than breasts, which translates to a more flavorful soup.
- Carrots and celery: These vegetables are a classic combo in soups, providing a natural sweetness and slight crunch to balance the richness of the broth.
- Heavy cream or milk: This makes the soup indulgent and creamy, perfect for a cozy meal. If you’re looking to reduce calories, you can opt for milk or a low-fat version of cream.
- Frozen peas: Not only do they add color, but they also bring a subtle sweetness that helps cut through the savory richness of the soup.
- Dumplings: The dumplings are the real star here, providing a pillowy, soft texture that contrasts perfectly with the broth and chicken. The mix of flour, baking powder, and butter creates a delicate texture that’s not too dense.
Expert Tips
Here are a few tips to make sure your chicken and dumplings turn out perfectly:
- Don’t skip the searing (if you prefer): Although the slow cooker does most of the work, searing the chicken in a pan beforehand can deepen the flavor, giving the broth a more intense, roasted quality. This step isn’t essential, but it’s worth considering if you want more depth.
- Adjust the liquid: If you prefer a thicker or thinner soup, adjust the amount of broth or cream you add. You can also thicken it with a cornstarch slurry if you find the soup too thin.
- Test the dumplings: To make sure the dumplings are cooked through, stick a toothpick or fork in the center. If it comes out clean, they’re ready.
- Leftovers are even better: Like most soups, this one gets better with time. The flavors continue to meld and intensify overnight, making it a perfect meal prep option.
Recipe Variations
While the classic chicken and dumplings is always a hit, there are a few ways to switch things up and put your own spin on this dish.
- Herbed dumplings: Add some chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, or thyme to your dumpling dough for an extra punch of flavor.
- Vegetarian version: Swap out the chicken for hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or potatoes to make a vegetarian-friendly version.
- Spicy kick: Add a little heat by mixing in some red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce to the broth.
- Cream of chicken soup: If you’re in a pinch, you can use a can of cream of chicken soup as the base, which adds a little extra creaminess and flavor.
- Cheesy dumplings: Add a handful of shredded cheese (cheddar works wonderfully) to your dumpling mixture for a cheesy twist.
Final Words
Chicken and dumplings is the kind of dish that brings people together. The way the chicken shreds into tender pieces and combines with the dumplings is something special. It’s one of those meals that, even though it’s simple, makes you feel like you’ve just experienced a little piece of comfort heaven. Plus, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, allowing you to spend time doing other things while the deliciousness simmers away.
Whether you keep it traditional or play around with variations, this recipe is a perfect go-to for any day of the week.