Chicken and dumplings made in a slow cooker.

This Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe is the ultimate comfort food! With tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a creamy, flavorful broth, this dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner. Best of all, the slow cooker does most of the work, making it an easy, hands-off recipe.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Base:

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 medium onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 celery stalks, sliced
4 cups chicken broth
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or homemade equivalent)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Dumplings:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken Base

Add the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
Stir to combine, ensuring the chicken is submerged in the liquid.

2. Cook the Chicken

Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

3. Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir.

4. Make the Dumplings

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Stir in the milk and melted butter until just combined. The dough should be thick and sticky.

5. Add the Dumplings

Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the soup. Space them out to allow room for them to expand.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 30–45 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to ensure the dumplings steam properly.

6. Serve

Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls.
Garnish with additional parsley for a fresh touch and serve warm.

Tips for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings

Use Thighs for Extra Flavor: Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, but breasts work just as well.
Thicker Base: If you prefer a thicker broth, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir it into the soup before adding the dumplings.
Dumpling Size: Keep the dumplings small to ensure they cook evenly and thoroughly.

Variations

Bisquick Dumplings: For a shortcut, use Bisquick mix to make the dumplings.
Herbed Dumplings: Add chopped fresh parsley or thyme to the dumpling dough for extra flavor.
Vegetable Add-Ins: Add frozen peas or green beans during the last 30 minutes for more veggies.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed.
Freeze: Avoid freezing with dumplings, as their texture may change. Freeze just the chicken base and make fresh dumplings when reheating.