Crockpot Chicken And Dumplings Recipe
You're about to unlock the secret to the most comforting slow cooker meal that'll transform your weeknight dinners. Crockpot chicken and dumplings aren't just a recipe; they're a warm embrace of culinary simplicity. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, you'll create a creamy, hearty dish that'll have your family asking for seconds. Want to know how to turn a few basic ingredients into a show-stopping meal that practically cooks itself?
Recipe Highlights
- Combine 4 chicken breasts, 2 cans cream of chicken soup, and 4 cups chicken broth in a crockpot for a simple, hearty meal.
- Cook chicken on low for 6-8 hours until tender, then shred with two forks to create a rich, creamy base.
- Drop pieces of refrigerated biscuit dough on top of the chicken mixture to create fluffy, homemade-style dumplings.
- Continue cooking until biscuit dumplings are fully cooked and the dish reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs, as a comforting Southern-inspired meal that transforms simple ingredients into a delicious dinner.
History
Although chicken and dumplings might seem like a relatively modern comfort food, its roots actually stretch back centuries into American culinary history.
You'll find this dish has deep Southern and Appalachian origins, where resourceful home cooks transformed simple ingredients into hearty meals. Early settlers developed dumplings as a way to stretch limited protein supplies, using flour, water, and whatever meat was available.
Native American and European cooking techniques blended to create this distinctive recipe, with each region developing its own unique variation. Farmers and rural families perfected the technique, turning inexpensive chicken and basic pantry staples into a filling, nutritious meal.
The slow-cooking method emerged from practical necessity, allowing families to create a substantial dinner while working long agricultural days.
Recipe
Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings is a comforting, hearty meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table. This slow cooker recipe transforms simple ingredients into a rich, creamy dish that feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and hands-off cooking method. By using a crockpot, home cooks can create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort, allowing the flavors to develop slowly and chicken to become incredibly tender.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Begin by placing the chicken breasts in the crockpot and pouring chicken broth over them. Add cream of chicken soup and black pepper, gently stirring to combine the ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is completely tender and easily shreds.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Cut each biscuit into four pieces and drop them on top of the chicken mixture. Cover and cook on high for an additional 30-45 minutes until the dumplings are fully cooked and fluffy.
When preparing this dish, avoid lifting the crockpot lid during dumpling cooking, as this releases essential steam and heat. The dumplings should sit on top of the liquid and will expand significantly while cooking.
If the sauce seems too thick, add a small amount of chicken broth; if too thin, leave the lid off during the last 15 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
Cooking Steps
You'll start by carefully preparing your chicken and gathering all ingredients, ensuring each component is ready for the slow cooking process.
Next, you'll gently add chicken broth to the crockpot, creating a flavorful base that will infuse your chicken with rich, savory notes.
As the chicken becomes tender, you'll use two forks to shred it into perfect, bite-sized pieces.
Then carefully drop biscuit pieces on top of the liquid, allowing them to cook and expand until the entire dish is thickened and irresistibly creamy.
Step 1. Prepare Chicken and Ingredients
Five essential ingredients stand ready to transform your kitchen into a comfort food haven.
You'll want to start by selecting plump, uniform chicken breasts, ensuring they're free from excess fat. Gently place them in your crockpot, creating a uniform base layer that'll absorb rich flavors.
Next, gather your supporting ingredients: cream of chicken soup, refrigerated biscuit dough, chicken broth, and black pepper. Measure each component precisely, using a standard measuring cup for liquids and a teaspoon for the pepper.
Arrange your ingredients within easy reach, creating an efficient mise en place. Check that your chicken breasts are thawed completely, patting them dry with paper towels to promote better seasoning absorption.
With everything prepped, you're ready to craft a hearty, soul-warming meal.
Step 2. Add Chicken Broth Gently
After carefully arranging your chicken breasts in the crockpot, the next step involves introducing chicken broth with precision and care.
You'll want to pour the 4 cups of chicken broth evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is partially submerged but not completely covered. Use a measuring cup for accuracy, and tilt the crockpot slightly to distribute the liquid uniformly.
- Pour broth slowly
- Aim for even coverage
- Avoid over-saturating the chicken
The broth's temperature and gentle introduction are critical for maintaining the meat's tenderness.
Step 3. Shred Chicken With Forks
Gently extract two forks and prepare to transform your tender, slow-cooked chicken into perfectly shredded meat. Hold one fork in each hand, positioning them parallel to the chicken's grain, and pull the meat apart with steady, controlled motions.
Work systematically across each chicken breast, creating consistent, bite-sized shreds that will blend seamlessly into the creamy broth.
- Use two sturdy forks with comfortable handles
- Pull meat apart in the same direction
- Aim for roughly 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch shred sizes
- Ensure no large chunks remain
As you shred, periodically check the meat's texture. The chicken should separate easily, indicating it's been cooked to perfect tenderness.
Return the shredded meat to the crockpot, stirring gently to distribute it evenly throughout the developing sauce.
Step 4. Drop Biscuit Pieces Carefully
Once you've transformed the chicken into perfectly shredded morsels, you'll want to prepare the biscuit dough for its crucial role in creating fluffy, tender dumplings.
Carefully remove the refrigerated biscuit dough from its packaging, and gently separate each biscuit on a clean cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice each biscuit into four equal quarters, creating bite-sized pieces that will expand beautifully in the crockpot.
When adding the biscuit pieces, drop them strategically across the surface of the chicken mixture, ensuring they rest on top of the liquid rather than being stirred in. This placement allows the dumplings to steam and puff up evenly, absorbing the rich, savory flavors of the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup.
Step 5. Cook Until Thickened
Because slow cookers transform ingredients differently than traditional stovetop methods, you'll want to monitor your chicken and dumplings carefully during the final thickening stage.
Watch for visual cues like sauce consistency and biscuit texture. If the mixture appears too thin, leave the crockpot lid off for the final 15 minutes of cooking, allowing excess moisture to evaporate.
For thicker results, you can:
- Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- Mash some of the soft biscuit pieces into the sauce
- Let the dish rest uncovered for 10-15 minutes after cooking
The ideal consistency should be creamy but not overly runny, with dumplings that hold their shape while absorbing the rich, savory liquid.
Aim for a sauce that coats the back of a spoon without dripping too quickly.
Final Thoughts
The warmth of homemade chicken and dumplings transcends simple sustenance, offering a culinary embrace that'll transform your weeknight dinner routine. This classic dish isn't just a meal; it's a comforting experience that connects you to home cooking traditions.
You'll find the slow cooker method makes preparation incredibly straightforward, requiring minimal technical skill but delivering maximum flavor. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability – you can easily customize spices or swap ingredients to suit your taste preferences.
Whether you're feeding a family or cooking for yourself, chicken and dumplings represents more than nutrition; it's a reminder of the love and care that goes into preparing a hearty, satisfying meal. Enjoy every spoonful of this timeless comfort food.
