Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

🐔 Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings — Comfort Food That Practically Cooks Itself

“Like a warm hug in a bowl… without you having to lift more than a spoon.”

 

If you’ve been craving something creamy, cozy, and downright soul-soothing, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings is about to become your new best friend. It’s the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell like love, tastes like grandma’s kitchen, and requires almost zero effort.

We’re talking tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a rich, savory broth — all made in your slow cooker while you go live your life. Dinner practically makes itself, and you get all the credit.

It’s the perfect meal with winter just around the corner. It’s so full of flavor and it’s so easy to make! This will become one of your go-to meals and your family will be begging you to make it!

 

 

📝 Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 (16-ounce) can refrigerated biscuit dough (8 biscuits)

Directions

1. Load the slow cooker
   • Place chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, chicken broth, and cream of chicken soup into your slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
2. Cook low and slow
   • Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
3. Shred the chicken
   • Remove chicken from the slow cooker, shred with two forks, and return it to the pot.
4. Add the peas
   • Stir in frozen peas.
5. Make the dumplings
   • Cut each biscuit into 4–6 small pieces. Drop biscuit pieces into the slow cooker, gently pressing them into the liquid.
6. Cook the dumplings
   • Cover and cook on high for 1 more hour, or until biscuits are cooked through and fluffy.
7. Serve & enjoy
   • Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving — Serves 6)

• Calories: ~420
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 38g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g (Values are approximate and will vary based on ingredient brands.)

📊 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

\*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

 

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

• Thighs vs. Breasts — Chicken thighs stay extra juicy, but breasts work beautifully if you prefer leaner meat.
• Don’t lift the lid too often — Every peek adds cooking time and can make dumplings dense.
• Cut biscuits small — Smaller pieces cook faster and fluff up better.
• Season at the end — Taste before serving and adjust salt/pepper as needed.
• Creamier broth — Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream at the end for extra richness.

🎨 Recipe Variations

• Herb Lovers — Add fresh rosemary or sage for a deeper flavor.
• Veggie Boost — Toss in diced potatoes, corn, or green beans.
• Spicy Kick — Add a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce.
• Gluten-Free — Use gluten-free biscuit dough or make drop dumplings with GF flour.
• Lightened Up — Swap cream of chicken soup for a homemade roux with low-fat milk.

🧒 Kid Tips

• Mini Dumplings — Cut biscuits into tiny “nuggets” for fun bite-sized pieces.
• Mild Flavors — Keep seasoning gentle and let adults add spice at the table.
• Interactive Dinner — Let kids drop biscuit pieces into the slow cooker (with supervision).
• Fun Shapes — Use mini cookie cutters to make star or heart-shaped dumplings.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Stock up on broth — Buy in bulk when it’s on sale; it’s a pantry lifesaver.
• Frozen veggies — Keep peas, carrots, and corn in the freezer for quick add-ins.
• Biscuit dough sales — Grab extra cans when they’re discounted; they freeze well.
• Rotisserie shortcut — Use shredded rotisserie chicken and reduce cook time.
• DIY cream soup — Make your own cream of chicken to control sodium and flavor.

📣 Reader’s Challenge: #CozyDumplingBowl

I want to see YOUR slow cooker magic! Here’s how to join in:

1. Make this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings.
2. Add your own twist — maybe a surprise veggie, a fun dumpling shape, or a spice blend.
3. Snap a photo of your steaming, cozy bowl.
4. Post it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #CozyDumplingBowl and tag me.

💡 I’ll feature my favorite reader creations in a future post — so bring your coziest vibes!

 

Final Thoughts

This recipe is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s the kind of dish that works for Sunday dinner, a sick day pick-me-up, or a chilly weeknight when you just want something warm and satisfying. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, and you get to soak up the compliments.

It’s also endlessly adaptable — swap veggies, change up the herbs, or make it creamier, lighter, or spicier. Once you’ve made it once, you’ll find yourself dreaming up your own versions.

There’s something magical about a recipe that asks so little of you but gives so much in return. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings is exactly that kind of magic. You toss in a few humble ingredients, walk away, and hours later you’re greeted by the smell of home — savory, warm, and inviting.

This dish isn’t just about feeding people; it’s about nourishing them. It’s about the way a spoonful of tender chicken and fluffy dumpling can make a bad day better. It’s about the way steam curls up from the bowl and fogs your glasses while you laugh with your family. It’s about slowing down, even if just for a meal, and remembering that the simplest things are often the most satisfying.

I love that this recipe works for so many moments — the busy weeknight when you need dinner ready without fuss, the lazy Sunday when you want to fill the house with good smells, the potluck where you want to bring something that disappears fast. It’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and adaptable enough to suit whatever you have on hand.

And maybe that’s why it feels so special — because it’s not just a recipe, it’s a little piece of comfort you can share. It’s the kind of meal that makes people linger at the table a little longer, maybe go back for seconds, and definitely ask for the recipe.

So the next time you’re craving something cozy, let your slow cooker do the work. Let the dumplings puff up, the chicken turn tender, and the flavors mingle into something that tastes like home. And when you make it — because I know you will — don’t forget to tag me with #CozyDumplingBowl so I can see your beautiful bowls of comfort.

Because here’s the truth: dinner isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the love you stir in, the people you share it with, and the memories you make — one warm, fluffy dumpling at a time. ❤️