Amazing Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings 1 Pot

Oh, you are going to LOVE this recipe! If there’s one dish that just screams cozy and comforting, it’s definitely a big bowl of chicken and dumplings. And guess what? Making incredible crockpot chicken and dumplings is EASIER than you think. Seriously, I used to think cooking was just another chore after a long day in corporate life, just like I talked about on my about page. But discovering the joy in simple, soulful food changed everything. This here is a true ‘set-and-forget’ kind of meal – toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do its magic. We pour so much love into making sure our recipes are approachable, super flavorful, and perfect for sharing, because that’s what cooking is all about, right? Get ready for some pure cooking joy!

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Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

This isn’t just any chicken and dumplings; it’s your new go-to for pure comfort! Here’s why you’ll be making this recipe again and again:

• Seriously Simple: We’re talking minimal prep! Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic. Pure joy, right?
• Ultimate Comfort Food: Rich, creamy stew with tender chicken and fluffy dumplings? It’s like a warm hug in a bowl. Perfect for cozy nights.
• Weeknight Warrior: Busy schedule? No problem! This recipe practically cooks itself, meaning you can enjoy a delicious homemade meal without the fuss.
• Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike will devour this hearty dish. It’s the perfect way to bring everyone to the table.
• Set It and Forget It: As the name implies, this is the ultimate hands-off meal. Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your loved ones.

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Ingredients for the Best Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! The beauty of this crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe is how simple it is, using everyday things you probably already have. For that super cozy stew, you’ll want about 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs – they just stay so tender in the slow cooker! We’ll season them up with a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, a teaspoon of dried thyme, and a teaspoon of dried rosemary. Then, toss in half a cup of chopped yellow onion and a couple of cloves of garlic, minced, because aromatics are like a warm hug for your tastebuds. Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth, and that’s the base for our creamy goodness. For the creamy part and to thicken everything up, we’ll use a cup of half-and-half, and a little secret weapon: a mix of 1/4 cup all-purpose flour whisked with 1/4 cup cold water. This all comes together to create a rich comfort food experience!

And for the dumplings? Oh, they’re the cherry on top! For those fluffy pillows of deliciousness, grab 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder for lift, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Then, just a cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of melted butter to bring it all together. Trust me, these simple ingredients create pure magic!

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How to Make Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Alright, let’s get this amazing weeknight dinner on its way! Making this crockpot chicken and dumplings is really straightforward, and before you know it, you’ll have a pot of pure comfort ready to go. It’s all about letting that slow cooker do the heavy lifting!

Preparing the Chicken and Broth Base

First things first, grab your slow cooker. Place those lovely chicken thighs right at the bottom. Now, give them a good sprinkle of salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary – don’t be shy! Toss in that chopped yellow onion and the minced garlic; they’re going to make everything smell incredible. Finally, pour in the 4 cups of chicken broth. Pop the lid on tight, and let it cook on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a rush, you can go for high heat for 3 to 4 hours. Either way, the chicken will be fall-apart tender!

Shredding Chicken and Thickening the Stew

Once your chicken is perfectly cooked and tender, carefully take those thighs out of the slow cooker. You can use two forks to easily shred them right into bite-sized pieces. Then, pop that shredded chicken right back into the flavorful broth. Now, for that luscious, creamy texture: in a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and the 1/4 cup of cold water until it’s super smooth. Pour this slurry into the slow cooker with the chicken and stir it all together. It’s going to start thickening up like magic!

Making and Adding the Biscuit Dumplings

We’re almost there – time for the best part: the dumplings! While the stew is simmering away after you’ve added it to high heat, get a medium bowl. Whisk together the 2 cups of all-purpose flour, the tablespoon of baking powder (this is key for fluffiness!), and the teaspoon of salt. Pour in the cup of milk and the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir it gently until it just comes together – seriously, don’t overmix! Overmixing makes dumplings tough, and we want fluffy, tender clouds! Drop spoonfuls of this wonderful batter right onto the simmering stew. Cover the slow cooker *immediately* and let them cook, undisturbed, for about 15 to 20 minutes. Resist the urge to peek! They’ll puff up beautifully and cook through. Check out my cheddar bay biscuit recipe for more biscuit magic tips!

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Tips for Perfect Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Oh, making the perfect bowl of crockpot chicken and dumplings is all about a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way! Trust me, these tips will help you achieve that incredible, soul-satisfying meal every single time. Think of it as pure cooking joy in every spoonful!

First off, for those dumplings – the absolute key to fluffy, tender little clouds is *not* to overmix the batter. Seriously! Just stir until everything is *just* combined. A few little lumps are totally fine, even good! Overworking that dough will make them tough, and nobody wants that. Also, make sure your stew is at a good simmer before you drop those dumplings in. That gentle bubbling helps them cook up light and airy. If you can resist the urge to lift the lid while they’re cooking (about 15-20 minutes), they’ll come out even better. Another little secret I learned from my own kitchen experiments, which you can read more about on my blog, is that chicken thighs are pretty hard to mess up. They stay wonderfully moist and tender in the slow cooker, way more forgiving than chicken breast, which can sometimes get a little dry. But hey, if chicken breast is your jam, just keep an eye on it and maybe add it a little later in the cooking process if you’re worried about it drying out. And for that super creamy stew? Using half-and-half really hits the spot, but if you want to go all out, heavy cream makes it extra decadent! It’s all about making it your own perfect comfort food.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Let’s chat about the ingredients for this amazing crockpot chicken and dumplings! I always reach for chicken thighs because they are wonderfully forgiving in the slow cooker, staying super tender and moist throughout the long cooking time. If chicken breast is more your style, go for it! Just be sure not to overcook it, maybe adding it a little later if your slow cooker runs hot. For an even richer, more decadent stew, feel free to swap the half-and-half for heavy cream – it’s pure indulgence! And if you’re ever out of chicken broth, vegetable broth works in a pinch, though it will slightly change the flavor profile of your comfort food classic.

Serving Suggestions for Your Creamy Chicken Stew

This hearty crockpot chicken and dumplings is practically a complete meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round things out, I love serving it with a simple green side. A crisp, light salad with a vinaigrette totally cuts through the richness beautifully. Or, you know, a basket of crusty bread for dipping is never, ever a bad idea! Sometimes, I’ll even add some steamed green beans or peas for a little extra color and freshness. You can find lots of yummy ideas for lighter fare on my soups and salads page!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Got leftovers of this delicious crockpot chicken and dumplings? Lucky you! Store any extra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dumplings might soften a bit, but it’ll still be yummy. To reheat, I love gently warming it up on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also pop it in the microwave, but give it a good stir halfway through to make sure it heats evenly and keeps that creamy goodness!

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Got questions about whipping up this amazing crockpot chicken and dumplings? I totally get it! It’s a classic for a reason, and I want to make sure yours turns out perfectly. Here are some things folks often ask:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

You absolutely can! Chicken breast is a great option if that’s what you have on hand. Just be mindful that it can dry out a bit easier in the slow cooker than thighs. My top tip is to not overcook it, or you can even add the chicken breast about an hour or two into the cooking time on low, just to be safe. It will still be delicious in your slow cooker dinner!

How do I make sure my dumplings are fluffy?

Oh, the fluffy dumpling dream! The biggest secret is to NOT overmix the biscuit dumpling batter. Seriously, just stir until everything is *barely* combined. A few little lumps are totally fine! Also, make sure your stew is nice and bubbly when you drop the dumpling batter onto it. And for best results, try not to lift the lid while they’re steaming away for 15-20 minutes – let them do their fluffy thing!

Can I make this entire dish ahead of time?

While the most magical part is adding the dumplings fresh at the end, you *can* prep the chicken stew base ahead of time! Cook the stew, shred the chicken, and thicken it all up. Let it cool completely, then store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the stew on the stovetop or back in the slow cooker on high until simmering, then add your freshly made dumplings. It’s a great way to save time on a busy night for a truly meal planning friendly dinner!

What size slow cooker is best for this recipe?

This recipe fits perfectly into a standard 6-quart slow cooker. It gives everything enough room to cook evenly without being too crowded, which helps everything come out just right. If you have a smaller one, you might need to scale down the recipe a bit, and if you have a bigger one, it will still work, but the stew might be a little less thick, so just keep an eye on it! Remember to always follow safe food handling guidelines, and you can find more on that on our terms of use page.

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a friendly reminder that these numbers are estimates, as the exact nutritional values for this delicious crockpot chicken and dumplings can tweak depending on the specific brands and ingredients you use. But generally, each serving is around 550 calories, with about 25g of fat, 35g of protein, and 45g of carbohydrates. We always want you to cook with confidence, and you can find more details on our disclaimer page!

Share Your Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Creation!

I just LOVE hearing from you folks! Did you make this incredible crockpot chicken and dumplings? Tell me all about it in the comments below! I’d be thrilled if you left a rating too. And hey, if you snapped a pic, please share it with me over on Facebook – seeing your creations really makes my day!

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

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Enjoy a comforting and creamy slow cooker chicken stew topped with tender, fluffy dumplings. This easy recipe is perfect for a cozy weeknight family dinner.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cold water
• For the Dumplings:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

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Instructions

1. Place chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic.
2. Pour chicken broth over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
3. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and cold water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker with the chicken.
5. Stir in the half-and-half. Turn the slow cooker to high and bring the mixture to a simmer.
6. While the stew simmers, prepare the dumplings. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. Add the milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
8. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the simmering stew. Cover the slow cooker and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
9. Serve hot.

Notes

• For extra tender dumplings, ensure you do not overmix the batter.
• You can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs if preferred.
• For a richer flavor, use heavy cream instead of half-and-half.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 150mg