Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings: The Ultimate Easy Comfort Food
Experience the heartwarming embrace of a classic with our easy Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings recipe. This dish features tender chicken and wholesome vegetables, simmered all day in a rich, savory gravy, culminating in fluffy, comforting dumplings made effortlessly with refrigerator biscuits. It’s a perfect family meal that brings the taste of homemade goodness to your table with minimal effort.
Whether you affectionately call it a Crock-Pot or a Slow Cooker, there’s no denying the magic these handy appliances bring to modern kitchens. They truly simplify life, transforming complex, slow-cooked meals into effortless culinary delights that practically cook themselves. Imagine coming home to the enticing aroma of a delicious, ready-to-eat dinner after a long day – that’s the slow cooker promise.
Many often reserve their slow cooker for hearty, warming winter meals, envisioning comforting soups, stews, and casseroles. While it excels at these, its utility extends far beyond the colder months. I personally find my slow cooker invaluable during the summer. It’s a brilliant way to prepare a fantastic meal without turning up the heat in your kitchen on those scorching summer days. No more standing over a hot stove; just set it and forget it, leaving you free to enjoy the beautiful weather. This versatility makes the slow cooker a year-round kitchen hero, delivering comfort and convenience no matter the season.
This particular Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings recipe was inspired by a delightful find on Pinterest, and I’ve adapted it to perfection for my family. We absolutely adore traditional Chicken and Dumplings, but let’s be honest, making them entirely from scratch can be a time-consuming affair. This recipe offers a fantastic, incredibly easy alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor or that beloved homemade feel. It captures the essence of classic comfort food, simplifying the process so you can enjoy this culinary favorite more often.
The secret to its simplicity lies in using store-bought refrigerator biscuits for the “dumplings.” This brilliant shortcut eliminates the need for mixing, rolling, and cutting dough from scratch, saving you significant time and effort. These pre-made biscuits are added to the slow cooker towards the end of the cooking process, where they absorb the rich, flavorful gravy, puffing up into soft, tender dumplings that perfectly complement the chicken and vegetables. This ingenious method ensures a truly comforting and delicious meal with minimal fuss, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.
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Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings
5 mins
8 hrs
8 hrs 5 mins
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts can be frozen – cut into thirds for easier cooking and distribution
- 1 1 pound package frozen peas and carrots a convenient blend for added nutrients and color
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped, to build a flavorful base
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for thickening the rich gravy
- 1 1/2 teaspoon herbed poultry seasoning a blend of savory herbs that perfectly complements chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed adds a subtle, earthy flavor depth
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic freshly minced for best aroma, or jarred for convenience
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred for a sharper taste
- 2 teaspoons salt adjust to your taste preference
- 1 32 ounce chicken stock the foundation of our rich, flavorful gravy
- 1 tube Grands biscuits refrigerator biscuits, cut into quarters, for easy dumplings
Instructions
- Start by preparing your main ingredients. Place the chicken pieces, whether fresh or frozen and cut into thirds, directly into the bottom of your slow cooker. This ensures they cook evenly and infuse the gravy with their rich flavor. Next, pour the entire package of frozen peas and carrots, along with the chopped onion, evenly over the chicken. There’s no need to thaw the vegetables beforehand, as the slow cooker will handle that beautifully.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, herbed poultry seasoning, celery seed, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt. This dry mix will create the perfect savory base for your gravy. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Finally, pour the entire 32-ounce carton of chicken stock over the ingredients, ensuring everything is well-covered and ready to simmer into a delicious, cohesive meal.
- Cover your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6 hours, or on HIGH for 3 hours. This initial cooking phase allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld beautifully. Once this time is up, carefully open the lid and give the contents a gentle stir to combine all the delicious components and ensure the gravy is thickening nicely. Then, take your tube of refrigerator Grands biscuits, cut them into quarters, and arrange them on top of the chicken and gravy mixture. Cover the slow cooker again and continue to cook on LOW for an additional 2 hours, or on HIGH for 1 hour, until the biscuits are puffed up, golden brown, and cooked through, transforming into fluffy dumplings. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Achieving the perfect Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings is all about a few simple tricks. For the chicken, while fresh chicken breasts are ideal, using frozen ones is perfectly fine and a great time-saver. Just make sure to cut them into thirds before adding them to the slow cooker so they cook thoroughly and evenly. If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs also work wonderfully, adding even more richness to the dish. Don’t be afraid to adjust the amount of poultry seasoning; if you love a bolder flavor, feel free to add a little extra. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can provide a subtle kick without overpowering the classic flavors.
When it comes to vegetables, the frozen peas and carrots blend is incredibly convenient. However, you can easily customize this recipe to your family’s preferences. Feel free to add other quick-cooking frozen vegetables like corn or green beans. If you’re using fresh vegetables, consider adding them about halfway through the cooking process to prevent them from becoming too mushy. Chopped celery can also be a wonderful addition, enhancing the traditional chicken and dumpling flavor profile.
The gravy is the heart of this dish, and the flour ensures it’s thick and luscious. If you find the gravy isn’t as thick as you’d like it to be towards the end, you can easily create a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and stir it into the hot liquid during the last hour of cooking. This will help achieve that perfect consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thick, a little extra chicken stock can thin it out. Always taste and adjust seasonings before adding the biscuits; you might want a bit more salt or pepper.
The refrigerator biscuits are the star shortcut for the dumplings. For best results, use “Grands” style biscuits, as their larger size and flaky texture mimic homemade dumplings wonderfully. Cutting them into quarters ensures they cook through evenly and are the perfect bite-sized addition to the stew. If you want to elevate the dumplings, brush the tops lightly with melted butter before the final cooking stage for an even richer, golden finish.
This Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of comfort, convenience, and delicious flavors. It’s perfect for a cozy night in, a gathering with loved ones, or simply when you need a little culinary hug. Its ease of preparation makes it a standout choice for anyone looking to enjoy classic comfort food without the extensive labor.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
There are countless reasons why this Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your household. First and foremost, the sheer ease of preparation is unmatched. With just a few simple steps and the magic of your slow cooker, you can create a meal that tastes like it took hours of painstaking effort. This makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is precious, or for lazy weekends when you want a delicious meal without being tied to the kitchen.
Beyond convenience, the flavor profile is truly exceptional. The long, slow cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and juicy, practically melting in your mouth. The vegetables soften perfectly, infusing the broth with their natural sweetness, while the blend of herbs and spices creates a rich, savory gravy that coats every ingredient. The refrigerator biscuits, a clever shortcut, transform into fluffy, absorbent dumplings that soak up all that wonderful flavor, adding a delightful texture to each spoonful. It’s a harmonious blend of creamy, savory, and comforting.
This dish is also incredibly versatile and family-friendly. It’s a complete meal in one pot, packed with protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates, making it a balanced and satisfying option. Kids and adults alike will adore the classic flavors and the soft, pillowy dumplings. You can easily adapt it to suit different tastes or dietary needs, as mentioned in our tips section, by swapping out vegetables or adjusting seasonings.
Moreover, the aroma that fills your home as this dish simmers all day is an experience in itself – a warm, inviting scent that promises comfort and a delicious meal to come. It’s the kind of food that brings people together, fostering warmth and connection around the dinner table. So go ahead, give this Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings recipe a try, and discover the joy of effortless, deeply satisfying comfort food.
Adapted recipe source: Eating On A Dime