Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings A Comforting and Easy Recipe

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy comfort food recipe, look no further than this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings. This Southern classic is made with frozen dumplings for a fuss-free meal that your family will love. With just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can have a satisfying and hearty meal on the table in no time.

Why We Love This Recipe

There are several reasons why we love this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe:

1. Pure comfort food: Chicken and dumplings is the epitome of comfort food. It’s warm, creamy, and satisfying, perfect for those days when you need a little extra comfort.

2. An all-in-one meal: This recipe is a complete meal in itself, with protein from the chicken and starch from the dumplings. You don’t even need any side dishes, although you can certainly add them if you’d like.

3. Great shortcuts: This recipe uses frozen dumplings and purchased broth, which saves a lot of time and effort. You can have all the deliciousness of homemade chicken and dumplings without all the work.

4. Staple pantry ingredients: Most of the ingredients for this recipe are pantry staples that you probably already have on hand. The only thing you may need to buy is the frozen dumplings.

Ingredient Notes

To make this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or a combination of breasts and thighs)
• Seasoning salt (such as Lawry’s or Jane’s Krazy Mixed Up Salt)
• Cream of chicken soup
• Chicken broth (purchased or homemade)
• Ground black pepper
• Butter
• Dried parsley
• Chicken bouillon cube
• Frozen homestyle dumplings

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make this easy and delicious Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe:

1. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with seasoning salt and place them in the bottom of a slow cooker.

2. Add the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, black pepper, and butter. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours.

3. Remove the cooked chicken breasts and use two forks to shred them. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

4. Add the dried parsley, chicken bouillon cube, additional chicken broth, and frozen dumplings. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 hours or until the dumplings are tender. Stir several times during the final cooking period to prevent the dumplings from sticking together.

5. Note that the dumplings will absorb quite a bit of liquid while cooking. If the mixture becomes too thick, add water or additional broth as needed.

Recipe Variations

While this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe is delicious as is, you can also customize it to your liking. Here are a few variations you can try:

• Ham and dumplings: Substitute leftover baked ham for the chicken to make ham and dumplings.
• Different cuts of chicken: You can use any cuts of chicken in this recipe, such as a mix of boneless, skinless thighs and breasts.
• Add vegetables: Traditional Southern chicken and dumplings don’t typically contain vegetables, but you can add a cup of frozen mixed vegetables if you prefer.
• Creamy finish: For a richer finish, add half a cup of cream or half and half to the recipe.

Recipe Success Tips

To ensure success with this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe, keep these tips in mind:

• Thickening: You may not need to thicken the recipe, as the flour from the dumplings will thicken it naturally. However, if you find that it’s too thin, you can thicken it by whisking together 1/2 cup of the liquid with 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Slowly stir the mixture back into the slow cooker.
• Dumpling doneness: Test the dumplings to make sure they’re cooked through before serving. The best way to test is to take a spoonful out and taste it. If it’s tender all the way through, it’s done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe:

1. Can this recipe be frozen and reheated later? Yes, you can make this recipe ahead and freeze it. Let the chicken and dumplings cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 5 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. You may need to add a little water or broth as you’re reheating.
2. Do I need to thaw the dumplings before adding them? No, there’s no need to thaw the dumplings before adding them to the slow cooker. In fact, it’s better not to, as they’ll stick together if they thaw. Just remove them from the package, break them into roughly 2″ pieces, and add them to the cooker.
3. Where can I buy frozen dumplings, and which brand do you recommend? Frozen dumplings are typically available in the frozen foods section of most grocery stores. Some popular brands include Mary Hill, Mary B’s, and Anne’s. If you can’t find frozen dumplings, you can also use canned biscuits as a substitute. Cut each biscuit into 5 or 6 pieces and drop them into the hot chicken mixture.

Serving Suggestions

This Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with some tasty side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

• Nicely seasoned green beans
• Dinner rolls with lots of butter
• Fried okra
• Buttered steamed broccoli
• Baby carrots
• Seven-layer salad
• Fire and ice tomatoes

Conclusion

If you’re in the mood for a comforting and easy meal, give this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe a try. With its delicious flavors and effortless preparation, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy!