Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings is a yummy comfort food recipe that the whole family will enjoy. This crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe gives you two options for the dumplings! Use prepared refrigerated biscuits, or make them from scratch using my easy homemade dumplings recipe.

Chicken and Dumplings in the Slow Cooker

This Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe is my go-to dinner recipe for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or whenever we want a big bowl of something savory & hearty.

It’s made with simple pantry ingredients, takes little effort, and has great flavor.

Making Chicken and Dumplings in the crockpot is an easy way to put a delicious, satisfying meal on the table on a busy day.

Why We Love This Recipe

Dump-and-Go: No need to pre-cook anything. Just add everything to your crock pot and let it do the work.
Classic Comfort Food: Creamy, savory broth with tender chicken and soft biscuit dumplings.
Kid and Picky Eater Approved: Most kids seem to love this recipe.
Makes a Good Amount: Great for meal prep or make-ahead dinners. Simply add another chicken breast for more servings.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

• Chicken Thighs: Use boneless, skinless thighs for a richer flavor.
• Cream Soup Alternatives: Use cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or make my Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe.
• Add Fresh Herbs: Try adding a pinch of thyme, sprigs of rosemary, or poultry seasoning for extra flavor.
• Homemade Dumplings: Skip the canned biscuits and make your own dough for a more traditional version. See Notes in recipe card for my homemade dumplings recipe.

You just roll out each biscuit and cut it in strips. Then cut those in half if you don't want long dumplings. If you don't want to roll them flat, cut each biscuit into 6 or 8 pieces.

For the homemade dumplings, just mix the ingredients in a bowl and drop spoonfuls into the chicken stew mixture an hour before serving.

Slow Cooker Tips

• Use a 6-quart or larger slow cooker for best results.
• Avoid opening the lid frequently; it releases the heat and then the cook time increases.
• Make sure your biscuits are fully cooked by gently cutting into one to check for doneness.
• When done cooking, the tops of the dumplings get a little browned. If you don't want any browning, stir them in and submerge them after adding.

If you like using the Instant Pot®, I have an Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe you may want to try.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use frozen chicken? Yes, but it is safer to thaw it first to ensure even cooking and for food safety.
• Can I use homemade dumplings instead of biscuits? Absolutely! Just add your dumpling dough during the final cooking stage.
• How do I know when the dumplings are done? They should be puffed up and cooked through — no raw dough in the center. A toothpick should come out clean.
• Can I double this recipe? Yes, but make sure your slow cooker is large enough. You may need to extend the cook time slightly.
• Can I make this gluten-free? Use gluten-free condensed soups and a gluten-free biscuit dough or dumpling recipe.

What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings

This dish is rich and hearty, so simple side dishes work best:
• A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette.
• Steamed or pan seared green beans, or roasted broccoli.
• Buttery corn on the cob.
• Crusty bread or dinner rolls to sop up the broth.

Popular, easy slow cooker recipes:
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana Sausage Potato Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze (individual portions work best) in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or milk if it is too thick.

Enjoy this easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings dinner recipe!

5 from 3 votes

Print

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

6 hrs

Total Time

6 hrs 10 mins

 

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings are a yummy comfort food that the whole family will enjoy. This chicken and dumplings recipe gives you two options for the dumplings!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crock pot chicken and dumplings recipe

Servings: 6 - 8

Calories: 431 kcal

Author: Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

• 1 small Onion, diced
• 2 ribs Celery, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup Carrots, chopped
• 3 Chicken Breasts, boneless/skinless (about 1 ½ lbs)
• 3 cloves Garlic, pressed or minced
• ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
• ½ teaspoon Pepper
• ¼ teaspoon Sage (rubbed, dried)
• 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme
• 1 4" sprig Fresh Rosemary
• 1 Tablespoon Parsley, dried
• 2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup*
• 2 ½ cups Chicken Broth, low sodium

To Thicken (Mix these together)

• 2 Tablespoons Flour
• 2 Tablespoons Melted butter

Dumplings - See NOTES Below For Ingredients

Instructions

1. Add the onion, celery, and carrots to the crock, then lay the chicken breasts on top.

2. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, sage, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

3. In a mixing bowl, stir together the chicken soup and broth, then pour it over the chicken and seasonings.

4. Place the lid on and cook on High for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is 165°F internal temperature.

5. While chicken is cooking, prepare the dumplings so you have them ready. See instructions in Notes below.

6.  Try to keep the lid on as much as possible while doing the next steps.

7. After 3 hours on High, take out the chicken and shred or dice it. Set aside.

8. Mix flour and butter together thoroughly and stir into the soup mixture in the crock. Add the chicken meat back in and stir again.

9. Add the dumplings.

   Homemade: Drop heaping teaspoonfuls into the broth (not too large as they need to cook through, and they expand).

   Biscuits: Add the sliced or whole biscuits into the broth and gently stir to distribute them, or leave them on top (they will cook better on top if they are not rolled flat. Flat ones can be stirred in).

10. Replace the lid and cook another 60 to 90 minutes, or until dumplings are done.

Recipe Notes

*Try my Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

 

Seasonings

A poultry seasoning blend can be used in place of the herbs.

 

Choose the Type of Dumplings You Want to Make

Canned Biscuit Dumplings

1. For the canned biscuits use 1 jumbo tube of 6 biscuits. You can leave them whole, or cut them into smaller pieces.

2. Or roll each one flat and cut into 6 equal slices (you can cut those strips in half if you want smaller dumplings). Do this to all 6 biscuits and set aside in a bowl.

Homemade Dumplings

• 1 ½ cups Flour
• ¾ teaspoon Salt
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 3 Tablespoons Shortening (such as Crisco®) or Cold Butter
• ¾ cup Whole Milk (or buttermilk)
• ¼ cup Chives, finely chopped (fresh or dried) - Optional

1. Put all ingredients except milk in a bowl and use a pastry cutter or a fork to mix well and incorporate the shortening into the dry ingredients

2. Stir in the milk (and chives, if using) and combine, until just moistened. Set aside.