Imagine a time when life moved a little slower, families gathered around the kitchen, and the simple joy of a hearty meal brought everyone together. One dish that has stood the test of time, warming hearts and filling bellies, is Chicken and Dumplings. Originating from the southern United States in the early 1900s, this dish was once considered a luxurious indulgence. Over the years, it has evolved into a beloved comfort food that transcends generations and social classes.
Fast forward to today, where the hustle and bustle of modern life often leave us longing for that same sense of warmth and togetherness. Luckily, the essence of this time-honored dish is not lost. With the help of a slow cooker, you can enjoy the rich flavors and comforting textures of Chicken and Dumplings without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether it’s a chilly autumn day or a cozy winter evening, this recipe promises to bring a bit of that old-fashioned comfort into your home, with the ease and convenience that modern cooking offers.
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to create a pot of warm, comforting Chicken and Dumplings that serves 6-8 people:
For the Chicken Soup:
- 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds): The heart of the dish, providing tender, flavorful bites of chicken.
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped (about 1/2 medium onion): Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the broth.
- 1/2 cup frozen peas: Brings a pop of color and sweetness to the dish.
- 1/4 cup carrot, grated: Adds a touch of earthy sweetness and a splash of color.
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped: For a fresh, herby flavor that brightens the dish.
- 2 tablespoons butter, sliced: Adds richness to the broth.
- 14 oz chicken broth: The base of the soup, giving it a rich, savory flavor.
- 20-oz condensed cream of chicken soup (2 cans): Creates a creamy, comforting broth that holds everything together.
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste): Essential for bringing out the flavors of the ingredients.
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste): Adds just the right amount of warmth and spice.
For the Biscuits:
- 2 cups flour: The base of the dumplings, giving them a light, fluffy texture.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become tender.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor of the dumplings.
- 1 cup milk (can be substituted with water): Provides moisture, bringing the dough together.
(Alternatively, you can use canned biscuit dough for an even quicker preparation.)
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Chicken and Dumplings
Let’s dive into the process of creating this delicious, soul-warming dish.
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Start with the chicken and butter: Place the chicken breasts and sliced butter into your 6-quart slow cooker. The butter will melt and infuse the chicken with rich flavor as it cooks.
Add the soup ingredients: Toss in the chopped onion, frozen peas, grated carrot, and chopped parsley. Pour in the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a good mix to combine the ingredients well.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken
Set and forget: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 7 hours. During this time, the chicken will become tender, and the flavors will meld together, creating a rich, savory broth.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
Shred the chicken: After 7 hours, use two forks to shred the chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker. The chicken should be tender enough to pull apart easily, blending beautifully with the creamy soup.
Step 4: Add the Dumplings
Prepare the biscuit batter: If you’re making homemade dumplings, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add the warm milk (or water) until the mixture reaches a doughy consistency that can be dropped with a spoon.
Drop the dough into the soup: Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit batter directly into the soup. If using canned biscuit dough, cut the dough into smaller pieces and drop them into the soup.
Step 5: Cook the Dumplings
Cook on HIGH: Tilt the slow cooker lid slightly so it’s not fully closed, allowing some steam to escape. Set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Dish it out: Once the dumplings are fully cooked, give the soup a final stir. Ladle the Chicken and Dumplings into bowls, making sure each serving has plenty of tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and creamy broth.
Variations & Tips: Make It Your Own
This recipe is wonderfully flexible, allowing you to customize it to suit your tastes and preferences:
Quick and Easy
Use canned biscuit dough: For an even quicker preparation, use canned biscuit dough instead of making your own dumplings. It’s a convenient option that still delivers delicious results.
Vegetable Variations
Add more veggies: Feel free to toss in additional vegetables like diced potatoes, corn, or green beans. These will add extra flavor, texture, and nutrition to the dish.
Herbal Twist
Experiment with herbs: While parsley is classic, you can also try adding other herbs like thyme or rosemary for a different flavor profile. Fresh or dried herbs both work well.
Richer Broth
Swap out the broth: For an even richer flavor, you can substitute some of the chicken broth with a splash of cream or milk, giving the soup an even creamier consistency.
Serving Suggestions: Perfect Pairings
This Chicken and Dumplings dish is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round out your dinner, here are some pairing ideas:
Crusty Bread
Perfect for dipping: A slice of crusty bread or a warm buttered roll is perfect for sopping up the creamy broth. It’s the ideal companion to this dish.
Green Salad
Light and fresh: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can be a great way to balance the richness of the soup, adding a refreshing contrast to the meal.
Roasted Vegetables
Add variety: Serve the soup alongside roasted vegetables for a bit of extra flavor and texture. The caramelized veggies complement the creamy soup beautifully.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a modern take on a classic comfort food that has been bringing families together for generations. With its rich, creamy broth, tender chicken, and fluffy dumplings, it’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out. And thanks to the convenience of the slow cooker, you can enjoy all these comforting flavors with minimal effort.
So, whether you’re reminiscing about the good old days or simply looking for a hearty meal to enjoy on a chilly evening, this dish is sure to hit the spot. Gather your ingredients, fire up your slow cooker, and get ready to savor a bowl of pure comfort. Happy cooking!
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Slow Cooker chicken and dumplings
Ingredients Â
- For the Chicken Soup
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 1/2 cup onion chopped (about 1/2 medium onion)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup carrot grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter sliced
- 14 oz chicken broth
- 20 oz condensed cream of chicken soup 2 cans
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper or to taste
- For the Dumplings
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk or water
- Optional: Use canned biscuit dough for quicker preparation
InstructionsÂ
- Prepare the Slow Cooker
- Place the chicken breasts and sliced butter into your 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the chopped onion, frozen peas, grated carrot, and chopped parsley.
- Pour in the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup.
- Season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
- Slow Cook the Chicken
- Cover the slow cooker and set to cook on LOW for 7 hours, until the chicken is tender.
- Shred the Chicken
- After 7 hours, shred the chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker using two forks.
- Add the Dumplings
- For homemade dumplings: Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add the warm milk (or water) until the dough forms.
- Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit batter into the soup. If using canned biscuit dough, cut the dough into smaller pieces and drop them in.
- Cook the Dumplings
- Set the slow cooker to HIGH. Tilt the lid slightly to allow steam to escape and cook for 30 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Stir the soup gently. Ladle into bowls, ensuring each serving has plenty of chicken, dumplings, and creamy broth.
Notes
- Variations: Add extra vegetables like diced potatoes, corn, or green beans, or experiment with herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- Quick Tips: Use canned biscuit dough for faster preparation.