– **Title**: Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings
– **Ingredients**:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 2 carrots, sliced
– 2 celery stalks, sliced
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (or 2 cups homemade dough)
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
– **Instructions**:
1. In the slow cooker, add the chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, chopped onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
3. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the crock pot and stir to combine.
4. Open the can of biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Add the dough pieces on top of the chicken mixture in the crock pot.
5. Cover and cook on high for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through and fluffy.
6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy your delicious, homemade Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken is ideal here as it cooks easily and stays tender. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you could use chicken thighs, which are usually juicier.
Chicken Broth: Store-bought broth works great, but you can make your own for more flavor. If you’re vegetarian, swap it out for vegetable broth for a lighter base.
Cream of Chicken Soup: This ingredient adds creaminess. For a lighter alternative, use a can of cream of mushroom soup or make a homemade version for better control over ingredients.
Vegetables: Onions, carrots, and celery add texture and flavor. If you prefer other veggies, frozen peas, corn, or bell peppers can be good substitutes, though they may change the flavor a bit.
Biscuit Dough: Flaky biscuit dough creates fluffy dumplings. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can use homemade dumpling dough or even a store-bought biscuit mix.
How Do I Achieve Tender Chicken and Perfectly Cooked Dumplings?
The secret to tender chicken in this recipe is slow cooking. Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, allowing the spices and broth to infuse the chicken. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder before adding it to the pot.
- Cook on low heat to keep the chicken moist; don’t rush it with high heat!
- For fluffy dumplings, cut the biscuit dough into quarters just before adding them to the pot. This keeps them fresh and ensures they rise properly.
- Cook on high for 30 minutes to let the dumplings puff up. Check them by poking a piece with a fork—if it’s cooked through, you’re good to go!
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Main Dish:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2-3 carrots, sliced
- 2-3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (flaky style, about 7.5 oz)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Dumplings:
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe requires about 15 minutes of prep time and 6-7 hours of cooking time in the crock pot. After everything is combined in the pot, it simmers nicely, allowing you to relax until it’s ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken Base:
Start by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of your crock pot. Sprinkle them generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for great flavor. Pour the chicken broth over the chicken, then add the cream of chicken soup, making sure to coat the chicken well.
2. Add Your Veggies:
Now it’s time to pile on the veggies! Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery right on top of the chicken and broth mixture. This will add color and extra flavor to your dish.
3. Let It Cook:
Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours. Relax and let the crock pot work its magic! You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
4. Shred the Chicken:
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken from the pot. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken back to the crock pot and give everything a good stir to combine.
5. Prepare the Dumplings:
Open the can of biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Toss the cut biscuit pieces into the crock pot, spreading them evenly over the chicken and broth mixture. This will be the fluffy dumplings!
6. Cook the Dumplings:
Cover the crock pot again, but this time set it to cook on high for an additional 30 minutes. This ensures the dumplings cook through and become light and fluffy.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Once the dumplings are ready, stir gently to combine them with the chicken and broth. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a beautiful garnish. Now you’re ready to enjoy your comforting Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings!
Can I Use Frozen Chicken in This Recipe?
Absolutely! You can use frozen chicken breasts; just make sure to cook the dish on low for about 8 hours instead of 6-7 hours to ensure they’re thoroughly cooked. It’s best to add the frozen chicken directly to the pot without thawing to keep the meat juicy.
What Can I Use Instead of Cream of Chicken Soup?
If you don’t have cream of chicken soup on hand, you can substitute it with a homemade version by mixing 1 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of butter, and 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken. Alternatively, a can of cream of mushroom soup works well too for a different flavor!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze it, we recommend leaving the dumplings out as they can become soggy. You can freeze the chicken and broth mixture separately for up to 3 months.
Can I Add More Vegetables?
Definitely! Feel free to add more vegetables like peas, green beans, or potatoes for extra flavor and nutrition. Just be sure to chop them into similar sizes for even cooking. Add them at the same time as the carrots and celery!
