Cooking Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings for Beginners

Embrace the ultimate comfort food experience with Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings, a dish that combines tender, slow-cooked chicken in a savory broth with soft, pillowy dumplings. This easy-to-prepare recipe brings all the heartwarming flavors of a home-cooked meal with the convenience of a slow cooker, making it perfect for busy weekdays, cozy weekends, or whenever you need a touch of warmth and comfort. Let’s gather our ingredients and let the crock pot do the work, as we await a deliciously comforting meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings:

• Effortless Preparation: Just set it and forget it, allowing the slow cooker to slowly meld the flavors together.
• Hearty and Satisfying: A fulfilling meal that’s sure to please both family and friends with its tender chicken and soft dumplings.
• Customizable: Easily adaptable with your choice of vegetables or dumpling recipes.
• Comfort Food Classic: A beloved dish that’s perfect for any occasion, bringing the comfort of homestyle cooking to your table.

Ingredients Notes For Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best, offering tender meat that shreds easily.
• Broth: Chicken broth or stock forms the flavorful base of the soup. Use low-sodium options for better control over seasoning.
• Vegetables: Carrots, celery, and onions add traditional flavors and nutrition to the dish.
• Seasonings: Garlic, thyme, and bay leaves enhance the broth with depth and warmth.
• Dumplings: Use a simple mixture of flour, baking powder, and milk, or a biscuit dough for easy and fluffy dumplings.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds creaminess to the broth, enriching the overall texture and flavor.

Recipe Steps:

1. Layer Ingredients: Place the chicken at the bottom of the crock pot. Add chopped vegetables, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. Pour in the chicken broth and spoonfuls of cream of chicken soup. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
3. Prepare Dumplings: About an hour before serving, mix the dumpling dough ingredients. Remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred it. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough on top of the broth. Cover and cook on high for another hour, until the dumplings are cooked through.
4. Serve: Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the chicken and dumplings hot, ensuring everyone gets a share of dumplings and the hearty broth.

Storage Options:

• Refrigerate: Cool any leftovers and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: It’s best to freeze the chicken and broth separately from the dumplings to maintain the best texture. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove.

Cooking Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings for Beginners

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Ingredients

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For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (or a mix of dried thyme, sage, and rosemary)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken Mixture:
   • Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the Crock Pot. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is covered. Season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook:
   • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
3. Shred the Chicken:
   • Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the Crock Pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the Crock Pot and stir into the broth and vegetables.
4. Prepare the Dumplings:
   • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and milk until a soft dough forms.
5. Add Dumplings:
   • Drop tablespoons of the dumpling dough into the Crock Pot, on top of the chicken mixture. Try to space them out as best you can.
6. Cook the Dumplings:
   • Cover and cook on high for an additional 1 hour, until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy. The dumplings will expand and rise to the top as they cook.
7. Serve:
   • Once the dumplings are cooked, gently stir the mixture to combine. Serve hot, spooning the chicken, vegetables, dumplings, and broth into bowls.

• Author: Maria