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**Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Food Classic**
When the weather gets chilly, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm, hearty bowl of **Chicken and Dumplings**. This classic dish is a beloved comfort food that combines tender, juicy chicken with fluffy dumplings and a rich, creamy broth. And what could be better than preparing this mouthwatering meal with the help of a slow cooker?
With minimal effort, you can have a delicious, soul-satisfying dinner waiting for you at the end of the day. The **Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings** recipe is perfect for busy families, those who want to save time in the kitchen, or anyone looking for a cozy meal on a cold evening. Let’s dive into why this recipe is a must-try and how to make it!
### Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
– **Hands-Off Cooking**: This recipe allows you to simply throw the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it work its magic. It’s an easy, stress-free way to make a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
– **Tender Chicken**: Cooking the chicken slowly in the crockpot results in perfectly tender, juicy meat that easily falls apart with a fork.
– **Fluffy Dumplings**: The homemade dumplings that float on top of the creamy broth are fluffy, soft, and irresistible. They soak up the savory flavors of the soup while maintaining their light texture.
– **Rich and Creamy Broth**: The slow cooker does an excellent job of developing a rich, flavorful broth from chicken, vegetables, and seasonings, creating a perfect base for the dish.
– **Perfect for Family Meals**: This recipe is easily scalable, making it great for family dinners or meal prepping for the week ahead. It’s also great for feeding a crowd!
### Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
To make this deliciously comforting meal, you will need the following ingredients:
#### For the Chicken and Soup:
– **4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts** (or thighs, for extra flavor)
– **1 medium onion**, diced
– **3 medium carrots**, peeled and sliced
– **3 celery stalks**, chopped
– **3 cloves garlic**, minced
– **4 cups low-sodium chicken broth**
– **1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup** (or homemade cream of chicken if you prefer)
– **1 teaspoon dried thyme**
– **1 teaspoon dried parsley**
– **Salt and pepper**, to taste
– **2 bay leaves**
#### For the Dumplings:
– **2 cups all-purpose flour**
– **2 teaspoons baking powder**
– **1/2 teaspoon salt**
– **1/4 teaspoon garlic powder** (optional)
– **1 cup milk**
– **1/4 cup unsalted butter**, melted
– **1 teaspoon dried parsley** (optional)
### How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
#### 1. **Prepare the Chicken and Soup Base**
– **Layer the ingredients**: Start by adding the chicken breasts (or thighs) to the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic on top.
– **Add the liquids and seasonings**: Pour in the chicken broth and add the cream of chicken soup. Stir gently to combine. Season the mixture with dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss in the bay leaves for added flavor.
– **Cook the soup**: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on **low** for 6-7 hours or on **high** for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and tender by the end of the cooking time.
#### 2. **Shred the Chicken**
– **Shred the chicken**: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the breasts (or thighs) from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. The chicken should pull apart easily and be incredibly tender. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the soup. Discard the bay leaves.
#### 3. **Make the Dumpling Dough**
– **Mix the dry ingredients**: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder (if using).
– **Add the wet ingredients**: Stir in the milk and melted butter until just combined. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky. If desired, fold in the dried parsley for a little extra flavor.
#### 4. **Add the Dumplings to the Slow Cooker**
– **Form the dumplings**: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough on top of the soup. The dough will spread slightly, but don’t worry, the dumplings will puff up as they cook.
– **Cook the dumplings**: Cover the slow cooker again and cook on **high** for an additional 1 hour. The dumplings should be fluffy and cooked through. Check with a toothpick to ensure they are done. They should be soft and not doughy in the center.
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