There’s something about cold afternoons and the smell of chicken and dumplings bubbling away in the crockpot that takes me right back to Grandma’s tiny kitchen—where the windows steamed up and everyone peeked into the pot, asking if it was done yet. This Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings is slow cooker comfort at its finest—simple, hearty, and irresistibly cozy.
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Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
This slow-cooked chicken and dumplings recipe is a full-on comfort food hug. With only a few pantry staples, minimal prep, and one pot to clean, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays. The chicken turns out tender and flavorful, and the dumplings—made from canned biscuits—are pillowy, doughy, and soak up every drop of that creamy broth. Plus, it’s family-approved, budget-friendly, and reheats like a dream.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry bunch or planning a week of easy meals, this one is a repeat-worthy keeper. It’s one of those recipes where everyone ends up going back for “just one more bite.”
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make your own cozy batch of Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work great here, but thighs or tenderloins are tasty swaps.
- Cream of chicken soup: Two cans of unsalted variety keep it rich without going overboard on sodium.
- Chicken broth: Go for low-sodium to control saltiness.
- Seasonings: Onion powder and garlic powder add depth without extra chopping.
- Butter: Just two tablespoons of melted butter adds a layer of richness.
- Biscuits: A can of refrigerated biscuits creates shortcut dumplings that puff up beautifully.
- Salt and pepper: For seasoning the chicken before cooking.
- Optional garnishes: A sprinkle of dried parsley or cracked black pepper makes it extra inviting.
Substitution Tips
Out of biscuits? You can try frozen dumplings (though Clara hasn’t tested it). You can also switch up the soup—cream of mushroom or celery works if that’s what’s in your pantry. No chicken breasts? Chicken thighs stay even juicier.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings (Step-by-Step)
1. Prep your crockpot: Lightly spray a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray.
2. Season the chicken: Pat dry your chicken breasts, season both sides with salt and black pepper, and lay them in the bottom of the crockpot.
3. Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, melted butter, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth. Pour it over the chicken.
4. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for about 5 hours.
5. Shred the chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and stir it back into the creamy sauce.
6. Add the dumplings: Cut each biscuit into 8 small pieces and gently scatter them over the chicken mixture. No need to stir.
7. Finish cooking: Cover again and cook on HIGH for 1 more hour. The biscuit pieces should be cooked through—fluffy on the inside, with just a bit of golden chew on top.
8. Serve warm: Top with cracked pepper and parsley if you like, and serve steaming hot.
Visual Cues to Know It’s Done
Your dumplings should puff up and no longer look doughy in the center. They’ll float on top and should look slightly golden on the edges. The sauce should be creamy, not watery—give it a stir and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Recipe Tips & Customizations
- Best chicken cuts: Breasts are lean and easy, but thighs add more flavor. Tenderloins cook quickly and shred easily.
- No soggy dumplings: Add biscuits only at the end and keep the lid closed—no peeking!
- Veggie boost: Stir in frozen peas, carrots, or green beans with the shredded chicken for a full one-pot meal.
- Thicker sauce? Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with warm water and stir it in with the shredded chicken before adding the dumplings.
What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings
This dish is hearty on its own, but a few easy sides round out the meal:
- A crisp garden salad with creamy homemade ranch balances the richness.
- Roasted green beans or asparagus pair well with the creamy base.
- Want extra cozy? Add a side of buttermilk cornbread or garlic butter biscuits for sopping up that velvety broth.
For another cozy slow cooker dish, try this Cheesy Kielbasa Crockpot Dinner for Busy Weeknights.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Leftovers? You’re in luck—this dish stores beautifully.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave until hot, adding a splash of broth if needed.
- Freezer: Cool completely and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove or microwave.
It’s the kind of meal that gets even cozier the next day.
More Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love
For another creamy, satisfying slow cooker recipe, check out this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta in the Slow Cooker, or try a Tex-Mex spin with Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole for a Tex-Mex Twist.
Don’t forget to pin this cozy dinner to your Her Cozy Recipes Pinterest board and save it for your next rainy-day craving.
FAQ – Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Can you put dumplings in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Just add the biscuit dough in the last hour of cooking on HIGH. They’ll puff up and cook through perfectly.
What are the ingredients in chicken and dumplings in a slow cooker?
Chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, seasonings, butter, and refrigerated biscuits are the core ingredients. You can add veggies or swap in other types of cream soup, too.
How to thicken up chicken and dumplings in a crockpot?
Stir a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon warm water) into the mix when you return the shredded chicken. Let it cook a bit before adding the dumplings.
Can you put raw chicken straight into a slow cooker?
Yes! That’s the beauty of it. Just season it first—then it’ll slow cook to tender, juicy perfection.
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings – A Cozy Slow Cooker Classic
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Description
A cozy, creamy slow cooker classic featuring tender shredded chicken and fluffy biscuit dumplings in a rich, savory broth.
Ingredients
3 to 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 (10.5-oz) cans unsalted cream of chicken soup
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 (16.3-oz) can refrigerated biscuits
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: dried parsley and cracked black pepper for garnish
Instructions
1. Spray a 6-qt slow cooker with nonstick spray.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper; place in slow cooker.
3. Whisk cream of chicken soup, broth, onion powder, garlic powder, and melted butter in a bowl. Pour over chicken.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours.
5. Remove chicken, shred with forks, and return to crockpot. Stir to combine.
6. Cut biscuits into 8 pieces each; sprinkle evenly over chicken mixture.
7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour or until biscuits are cooked through.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Any chicken cut works: breasts, thighs, or tenderloins.
For thicker broth, mix cornstarch with warm water and stir it in with the shredded chicken.
Optional mix-ins: peas, carrots, green beans, or frozen mixed vegetables.
Substitute cream of mushroom or celery soup if desired.
Freezer-friendly: cool completely, then freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg