I absolutely love sharing my Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe with friends because it’s one of those comforting meals that feels like a warm hug on a plate. You’ll find that this recipe is not only incredibly easy but also turns out juicy, tender chicken surrounded by fluffy dumplings simmering in a creamy, savory sauce. If you’ve been hunting for a fuss-free but hearty dish, stick with me — this one’s a fan-freaking-tastic slow cooker classic that you’ll want to make over and over again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Comfort Food: Just toss ingredients in your crock pot and walk away for hours—a true set-it-and-forget-it meal.
- Creamy, Tender Goodness: The chicken cooks perfectly in a rich sauce that’s bursting with flavor without any complicated steps.
- Shortcut Dumplings: Using refrigerated biscuits means you get fluffy, homemade-style dumplings in no time.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this one, especially on chilly nights when we want something cozy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I like how these ingredients come together to create a balanced, creamy base with herbs and seasoning that perfectly complement the chicken. Using canned soups and refrigerated biscuits keeps the prep super simple without sacrificing homemade flavor.
- Onion: Adds a lovely sweetness and depth to the broth as it cooks low and slow.
- Condensed Cream of Celery Soup: Brings subtle celery flavor and creaminess that’s essential for that rich sauce.
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: Amplifies chicken flavor and thickens the cooking liquid.
- Fresh Parsley: Brightens up the dish with fresh herbal notes.
- Poultry Seasoning: A blend of herbs that perfectly accentuates the chicken.
- Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and balances the creaminess.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Tender and juicy protein base for the meal.
- Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth: Keeps the dish flavorful and moist without overpowering saltiness.
- Frozen Vegetables (or peas and carrots): Adds color, fiber, and natural sweetness; thaw before adding for even cooking.
- Refrigerated Biscuits: Shortcut option for dumplings—roll them thin to get the perfect soft texture.
Variations
While I adore the classic version, I encourage you to make this Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe your own depending on what’s in your pantry or your family’s preferences. It’s incredibly versatile and forgiving.
- Use Different Vegetables: I sometimes swap in fresh mushrooms or green beans, especially when they’re in season—adds nice texture.
- Shredded Chicken Option: Once cooked, shredding the chicken breast creates a slightly different texture that’s wonderful if you want a more stew-like consistency.
- Biscuits Swap: Gluten-free or herb-flavored refrigerated biscuits can bring a fun twist.
- Dairy-Free Version: I’ve experimented replacing soups with coconut milk based creamy soups and it works surprisingly well.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Step 1: Layer Your Base – Onion and Chicken
Start by dicing your onion and spreading it on the bottom of your 6-quart crock pot. This little trick creates a natural flavor bed for the chicken. Then, nestle your chicken breasts right on top of the onions. The chicken won’t stick and will absorb that sweet onion flavor perfectly as it cooks.
Step 2: Mix and Spread the Creamy Topping
In a small bowl, combine the cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, chopped parsley, poultry seasoning, and a good pinch of black pepper. Smooth this mixture over the chicken breasts, coating them evenly. This step locks in moisture and infuses every bite with savory goodness.
Step 3: Add Broth and Slow Cook
Pour the reduced sodium chicken broth over everything. It might look like a lot of liquid, but trust me—the slow cooker traps it all, creating tender chicken and a thick sauce. Cover and cook on high for about 5 hours. If you’re short on time, low for 7-8 hours works too!
Step 4: Prepare and Add Your Dumplings
About an hour before you want to eat (after the chicken has cooked for around 4 hours), roll out the refrigerated biscuits thinly on a floured surface, then cut each biscuit into 4 strips. Add thawed frozen veggies to the crock pot, stir gently, then lay the biscuit strips on top of everything. Pop the lid back on quickly to trap the heat and let those dumplings cook through for 60 to 90 minutes.
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Don’t Overcrowd Your Slow Cooker: Give your chicken some space so it cooks evenly; I usually stick to the quantity in this recipe for best results.
- Roll Biscuits Thinly: Rolling those biscuits thin helps the dumplings cook through without getting doughy in the center.
- Stir Gently When Adding Vegetables: You want to incorporate veggies without disturbing the chicken and sauce layers too much.
- Use Fresh Herbs If Possible: Fresh parsley brightens the whole dish—dried works in a pinch, but fresh is a game changer!
How to Serve Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a handful of fresh chopped parsley on top just before serving—it adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that’s so inviting. A light dusting of cracked black pepper also gives it a little peppery bite that complements the creamy base.
Side Dishes
This Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe shines on its own, but if you want to add some greens, I usually serve it with a simple side salad or lightly steamed green beans. Garlic roasted Brussels sprouts also pair beautifully, adding texture contrast to the soft dumplings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I pour this stew-like dish into rustic individual ramekins or mini cocottes, top with fresh parsley, and serve with crusty bread on the side. It makes a charming presentation that guests love, and everyone gets their own perfect serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After letting the dish cool to room temperature, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for about 3-4 days. Just be mindful that the dumplings will absorb some of the sauce, thickening the texture a bit—still delicious, just a little heartier.
Freezing
I’ve had good luck freezing the cooked chicken and broth separately from the dumplings. The dumplings don’t freeze as well, so I recommend freezing the stew base and adding fresh biscuits when reheating later. This way, you get that fresh dumpling fluffy texture even after freezing.
Reheating
For reheating, I warm leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally so it heats through evenly and doesn’t stick. If the sauce seems too thick from sitting, add a splash of chicken broth to thin it out. Reheating in the microwave works too—just cover and stir halfway through.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in this Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully because they tend to be juicier and more forgiving during the long cooking process. Just expect the thighs to fall apart a bit more, which some people prefer for a shredded texture.
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Can I make my own dumplings instead of using refrigerated biscuits?
Yes, you can make homemade dumplings with your favorite dough recipe. Just keep in mind that biscuit dough is a shortcut that already yields a soft, flaky texture. If making dumplings from scratch, add them about an hour before the cooking ends to avoid overcooking.
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How do I prevent the dumplings from becoming mushy?
Rolling the biscuit dough thinly and adding the dumplings with roughly an hour of cooking time left helps the dumplings cook through but not get soggy. Also, try not to stir the dumplings after adding them to maintain their shape and texture.
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Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen ones?
Yes! Just chop them evenly, and add about 30 minutes to the cooking time after adding vegetables and dumplings to make sure they’re tender. Frozen vegetables are convenient but fresh adds a nice bite, especially peas and carrots.
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What if I don’t have cream of celery and cream of chicken soups on hand?
You can make your own creamy base using chicken broth, milk or cream, and a roux (flour and butter) combined with celery and chicken broth-seasoned stew base. It takes extra effort but results in a fresher taste. Otherwise, store-bought soups are a huge time saver here.
Final Thoughts
When I first tried this Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe, I was blown away by how simple and satisfying it was to make such a classic comfort food in a slow cooker. It’s become a go-to meal anytime I want to cozy up the kitchen with ease and confidence. You’ll love how little fuss it requires but how big it delivers on flavor and comfort. Give it a try and I promise it’ll become one of your treasured family meals!
Print
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a comforting, easy-to-make slow cooker dish featuring tender boneless skinless chicken breasts simmered in a creamy blend of celery and chicken soups with fresh herbs and seasoning. It’s finished with flaky, shortcut dumplings made from refrigerated biscuit dough and mixed vegetables, delivering a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups frozen vegetables (or peas and carrots, thawed)
Soup and Seasonings
- 10.5 ounces condensed cream of celery soup (1 can)
- 10.5 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- Black pepper, to taste
Dumplings
- 16.3 ounces refrigerated biscuits (1 can, Buttermilk, Country, or Homestyle)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crock Pot: Add the diced onion to the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts evenly on top of the onion layer.
- Make Soup Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the condensed cream of celery soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, chopped fresh parsley, poultry seasoning, and black pepper to taste. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the crock pot.
- Add Broth and Cook: Pour the reduced sodium chicken broth over the chicken and soup mixture. Cover the crock pot and cook on high heat for 5 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Prepare Dumplings: About 1 hour before serving, after approximately 4 hours of cooking time, roll each refrigerated biscuit thin and flat on a clean surface. Cut each biscuit into 4 strips to form the dumplings.
- Add Vegetables and Dumplings: Stir the frozen vegetables (or peas and carrots, thawed) into the crock pot. Layer the biscuit strips on top of the mixture evenly. Replace the lid quickly to trap the heat and cook the dumplings for the remaining time.
- Finish Cooking and Serve: Continue cooking until the dumplings are cooked through and have a soft, flaky texture, about 60 to 90 minutes. Serve warm for a comforting, hearty meal.
Notes
- Easy crock pot recipe that requires minimal preparation and yields tender, juicy chicken breasts.
- The shortcut dumplings made from refrigerated biscuit dough simplify the traditional dumpling process.
- Use reduced sodium chicken broth and soups to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Vegetables can be varied or substituted with your favorites, such as mixed peas and carrots.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your crock pot model.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 72 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg