Cozy up with a bowl of classic comfort food that truly delivers! This crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe offers incredible flavor with minimal effort. Your slow cooker works its magic, transforming simple ingredients into a creamy, savory stew featuring tender chicken and fluffy dumplings. We even use a smart shortcut with refrigerated biscuits to make those dumplings quick and fuss-free.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll discover so many reasons to adore this easy crockpot chicken and dumplings:

Effortless Comfort Meal: Achieve deep, comforting flavors with very little hands-on time.
Tender, Juicy Shredded Chicken: The slow cooking process ensures perfectly succulent chicken every time. Slow cooking is known to help break down tough fibers in chicken, resulting in incredibly tender meat that easily shreds.
Rich, Creamy, Savory Gravy: A thick, flavorful broth forms the perfect base for this hearty dish.
Quick 5-Minute Prep Time: Simply layer your ingredients and let the slow cooker do the rest.
Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: You likely have many of these pantry staples on hand already.
Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone at the table will ask for a second helping of this delicious meal.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your savory crockpot chicken and dumplings:

1 large onion, diced
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
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (or peas and carrots), thawed
16.3 ounces refrigerated biscuits (1 can, Buttermilk, Country, or Homestyle)

Notes & Substitutions

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs add a richer flavor and stay incredibly moist.
Soups: Feel free to swap one can for cream of mushroom or another cream of chicken soup. While convenient, it’s worth noting that condensed soups can be high in sodium, so opting for low-sodium versions or balancing with fresh ingredients is a good practice.
Broth: Adjust the amount of reduced-sodium chicken broth based on your desired consistency.
Vegetables: Use fresh diced carrots and celery for a brighter flavor; add them during the last hour of cooking.
Dumplings: For a different texture, explore homemade drop dumplings or add pre-made gnocchi.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delightful slow cooker chicken and dumplings:

6-quart slow cooker
Mixing bowl
Cutting board and knife

Instructions

Follow these easy steps to prepare your delicious crockpot chicken and dumplings:

Add the diced onion to the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker. Arrange the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly on top of the onions.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of celery soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, fresh parsley, poultry seasoning, and black pepper.
Evenly spread this creamy soup mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Pour the 2 cups of reduced-sodium chicken broth over everything.
Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 5 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to maintain consistent heat.
Approximately 60 to 90 minutes before serving (after about 4 hours of cooking time), prepare your biscuit dough. Roll each refrigerated biscuit thin and flat on a clean surface. Cut each biscuit into four strips.
Add the thawed frozen vegetables to the slow cooker and gently stir them into the chicken mixture. Quickly arrange the biscuit strips on top of the stew.
Replace the lid on the slow cooker as quickly as possible to prevent heat loss. Continue cooking for another 60-90 minutes, or until the biscuit strips are puffed and tender.
Carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Stir the shredded chicken back into the stew. This will help break up the dumplings slightly, which is perfectly fine and creates a lovely texture. Let it cook for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Ladle the hot and comforting crockpot chicken and dumplings into bowls and serve immediately.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Don’t Lift the Lid: Resist the urge to peek! Lifting the lid allows heat to escape, which can prolong cooking time and result in undercooked dumplings for your slow cooker chicken and dumplings.
Thaw Vegetables: Thawing frozen vegetables ensures they heat through evenly and don’t cool down the stew too much.
Biscuit Texture: Expect a soft, slightly doughy texture for these dumplings, similar to traditional homemade dumplings, rather than a crispy biscuit.
Crockpot Size: A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal to prevent overflow, especially once the dumplings expand.
Avoid Curdling: Condensed soups are specifically designed for slow cooking. Avoid adding fresh dairy like milk or cream too early, as it might curdle.
Seasoning Adjustment: Always taste and adjust black pepper or salt before adding the dumplings, as flavors concentrate while cooking.
Doubling the Recipe: If doubling, consider cooking additional biscuit dumplings separately on the stovetop to ensure they all cook properly.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

This crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe is a complete meal, but you can enhance it further:

Serving: Garnish each bowl generously with extra fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Sides: Serve alongside a crisp, simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. Crusty bread is also fantastic for soaking up every last bit of that savory gravy.
Spice It Up: For a subtle kick, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the initial seasonings.
Extra Herbs: Experiment with other complementary herbs like dried thyme or sage, adding about half a teaspoon with the poultry seasoning.
Cheese: Stir in half a cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese or a dollop of cream cheese just before serving for an even creamier, richer stew.
Vegetarian: Adapt this recipe using vegetable broth and a plant-based protein alternative like chickpeas or white beans for a delicious vegetarian version.

Nutrition Information

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for your slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe.

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	640 kcal
Carbohydrates	72 g
Protein	36 g
Fat	23 g
Saturated Fat	3 g
Cholesterol	73 mg
Sodium	1300 mg
Fiber	5 g
Sugar	5 g
Potassium	1011 mg
Vitamin A	4750 IU
Vitamin C	14.2 mg
Calcium	101 mg
Iron	5.6 mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific brands and ingredient choices.

FAQ

Can I use frozen chicken for this crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe?
We recommend using thawed chicken breasts for food safety and even cooking. Frozen chicken can take longer to cook through and might impact the final texture of the dish.

Can I cook this on low for longer instead of high?
Yes, you can cook it on low for 7-8 hours, adding the dumplings during the last 1.5-2 hours. However, cooking on high for 5 hours generally yields the best texture for the dumplings.

What if my dumplings aren’t cooking through properly?
Ensure your slow cooker lid forms a tight seal to trap heat. Also, avoid overcrowding the top with too many dumpling strips, as this can prevent even cooking.

Can I freeze leftover crockpot chicken and dumplings?
Yes, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. The dumplings might become slightly softer upon reheating, but the flavor remains delicious.

Can I use homemade dumplings instead of refrigerated biscuits?
Absolutely! Prepare your favorite drop dumpling dough and add it during the last 60-90 minutes of cooking, ensuring they cook through before serving.

Conclusion

This crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe truly embodies what Sweet Emily is all about: simplicity, deliciousness, and beginner-friendly cooking. In just a few easy steps, you can create a heartwarming meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. The rich, creamy sauce, tender chicken, and fluffy biscuits come together to create an unforgettable experience. Give this comforting classic a try and discover how easy slow cooker magic can be! We can’t wait to hear what you think – share your feedback and photos with us!