Effortless Comfort: Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken and dumplings – a dish synonymous with comfort, warmth, and home. But what if you could enjoy this classic without spending hours in the kitchen? Enter the slow cooker, your trusty ally in creating a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort. This recipe for Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings delivers all the heartwarming goodness of the original, but with a fraction of the hands-on time. Prepare to be amazed by how simple it is to create a restaurant-quality dish right in your own home.

## Why Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings?

* **Ease of Preparation:** This is the most significant advantage. Just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it. No constant stirring or monitoring required.
* **Tender Chicken:** Slow cooking ensures that the chicken becomes incredibly tender and falls apart easily. It absorbs all the flavors of the broth and seasonings, resulting in a succulent and flavorful base for the dumplings.
* **Rich and Flavorful Broth:** The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and deepen, creating a rich and savory broth that is the heart of this dish.
* **Perfect for Busy Weeknights:** Come home to a warm and comforting meal after a long day. The slow cooker does all the work while you are away.
* **Minimal Cleanup:** One-pot meals mean less cleanup. You’ll only have the slow cooker to wash, which is a huge win!

## Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

* **Chicken:** 2-3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (or a combination). Chicken thighs will yield a richer, more flavorful result, but breasts are leaner. Both work great!
* **Vegetables:**
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup frozen peas (optional, but adds a touch of sweetness and color)
* **Broth:** 6-8 cups chicken broth (low sodium is recommended, so you can control the salt level)
* **Seasonings:**
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
* 1 bay leaf
* 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
* **Thickening Agent:**
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1/4 cup cold water
* **Dumplings:**
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup milk
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
* **Optional Garnishes:** Fresh parsley, chopped; green onions, sliced

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious slow cooker chicken and dumplings:

### Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables

1. **Chop the Vegetables:** Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into uniform pieces. Mince the garlic.
2. **Prepare the Chicken:** If using chicken breasts, you can leave them whole or cut them into 1-inch pieces. Chicken thighs can be used whole or roughly chopped. Cutting the chicken into smaller pieces will help it cook faster and more evenly.

### Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

1. **Add Ingredients:** Place the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. **Layer Chicken:** Arrange the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables. Spread them evenly over the veggie layer.
3. **Season:** Sprinkle the dried thyme, dried rosemary, black pepper, salt, and celery salt over the chicken. Add the bay leaf.
4. **Pour in Broth:** Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the broth. Use enough broth to cover the chicken, but leave some space at the top of the slow cooker to prevent overflow.

### Step 3: Slow Cook

1. **Cook:** Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shredded with a fork.

### Step 4: Shred the Chicken

1. **Remove Chicken:** Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker using tongs or a slotted spoon. Place it on a plate or cutting board.
2. **Shred Chicken:** Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Discard the bay leaf.

### Step 5: Thicken the Broth

1. **Make Slurry:** In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. This creates a slurry that will thicken the broth.
2. **Add Slurry:** Pour the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker. Stir well to combine it with the broth.
3. **Cook and Thicken:** Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the broth has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent clumping.

### Step 6: Prepare the Dumplings

While the broth is thickening, prepare the dumplings.

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and melted butter.
3. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. A few lumps are okay.

### Step 7: Cook the Dumplings

1. **Drop Dumplings:** Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the simmering broth. Aim for evenly sized dumplings, about 1-2 tablespoons each. Leave a little space between the dumplings so they have room to expand.
2. **Cook Dumplings:** Cover the slow cooker and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through. They should be puffy and slightly golden brown on top. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into a dumpling. If it comes out clean, the dumpling is cooked.

### Step 8: Add Shredded Chicken and Peas

1. **Return Chicken:** Add the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.
2. **Add Peas (Optional):** Stir in the frozen peas (if using). Cook for another 5 minutes, or until the peas are heated through.

### Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!

1. **Serve:** Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls.
2. **Garnish (Optional):** Garnish with fresh parsley and sliced green onions, if desired.
3. **Enjoy:** Serve immediately and enjoy your comforting and delicious slow cooker chicken and dumplings!

## Tips and Variations

* **Chicken:** As mentioned earlier, you can use chicken breasts or thighs. For a richer flavor, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Just remove the skin before adding them to the slow cooker. You can also use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time.
* **Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables, such as potatoes, parsnips, or mushrooms. Dice them into small pieces so they cook evenly.
* **Herbs and Spices:** Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning are all great options.
* **Cream of Chicken Soup:** For an even creamier broth, you can add a can of cream of chicken soup to the slow cooker. Reduce the amount of chicken broth accordingly.
* **Biscuits:** If you don’t want to make dumplings from scratch, you can use canned biscuit dough. Cut each biscuit into quarters and drop them into the simmering broth.
* **Gluten-Free:** To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free flour for the dumplings and ensure that your chicken broth is gluten-free.
* **Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the slow cooker for a little heat.
* **Make Ahead:** You can prepare the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store them in the slow cooker insert in the refrigerator overnight. Add the broth and seasonings in the morning and cook as directed.
* **Storage:** Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

## Dumpling Troubleshooting

* **Dumplings are too tough:** Overmixing the dumpling batter is the most common cause of tough dumplings. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined, and don’t worry about a few lumps.
* **Dumplings are too soggy:** This can happen if there is too much liquid in the slow cooker. Remove some of the broth before adding the dumplings, or cook the dumplings uncovered for the last few minutes to allow some of the moisture to evaporate.
* **Dumplings are not cooking through:** Make sure the slow cooker is on high and that the lid is tightly sealed. Avoid opening the lid too often, as this will release heat and slow down the cooking process.

## Serving Suggestions

Chicken and dumplings is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with:

* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken and dumplings.
* **Cornbread:** Cornbread is a classic pairing with chicken and dumplings.
* **Green Beans:** Steamed or roasted green beans are a healthy and flavorful side dish.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** For an extra comforting meal, serve chicken and dumplings over mashed potatoes.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

*Please note that nutritional information can vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

* Calories: 400-500 per serving
* Protein: 30-40 grams
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams

## Conclusion

This Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a foolproof way to enjoy a classic comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the work, resulting in tender chicken, flavorful broth, and perfectly cooked dumplings. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your slow cooker, and get ready to enjoy a heartwarming and delicious meal!