A Cozy Bowl of Comfort—Made Easy

I have to admit—this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe is one of those meals that never fails to make me feel instantly at peace. There’s something magical about the aroma that fills the house while it cooks; it’s like being hugged by your own kitchen. Whenever I make it, I can’t help but sneak a peek under the lid, just to catch a whiff of that creamy, savory goodness bubbling away. And you know what’s even better? You hardly have to lift a finger.

This dish takes everything you love about classic chicken and dumplings—the tender chicken, the soft pillowy dumplings, and the thick, flavorful broth—and lets your slow cooker do the heavy lifting. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen hero without spending your entire day cooking.

Why This Recipe Is So Special

What makes this version shine is its simplicity. Traditionally, chicken and dumplings can be a bit of a project, but with this slow cooker method, you get the same heartwarming results with half the effort. You toss in your ingredients, let the slow cooker work its magic, and end up with a meal that tastes like you’ve been stirring a pot all afternoon.

The dumplings? They’re soft and buttery—like little clouds floating in a rich, savory stew. And the chicken just falls apart with the gentlest nudge of your fork. It’s comfort food that feels like home, but easier than you’d expect.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Comfort Food – You just set it and forget it. Let the slow cooker do the work while you do literally anything else.
Tender, Fall-Apart Chicken – The slow cooking gives the chicken time to become irresistibly juicy and soft.
Creamy, Flavorful Broth – Each spoonful is savory, thick, and cozy.
Pillowy Dumplings – Soft and buttery, they soak up all the rich flavors.
Family Favorite – Even picky eaters go for seconds (and maybe thirds).
Great for Leftovers – The flavor deepens overnight, making it even better the next day.

Tools You’ll Need

Don’t worry—you won’t need fancy gadgets for this recipe. Here’s what I use:

Slow Cooker (5–6 quart) – The star of the show! Big enough to fit everything without overflowing.
Mixing Bowls – For prepping your dumpling dough.
Wooden Spoon or Ladle – Perfect for gentle stirring (especially when you don’t want to break up the dumplings).
Measuring Cups and Spoons – Because a little precision makes a big difference.
Tongs or Forks – Handy for shredding the cooked chicken.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Base:

1 ½ lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth, low sodium if possible
1 (10.5 oz / 300 g) can cream of chicken soup
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt, or to taste
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
1 tbsp butter, for richness

For the Dumplings:

1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp (30 g) cold butter, cubed
½ cup (120 ml) milk

(Shortcut: You can also use refrigerated biscuit dough—no judgment here! I’ve done it plenty of times.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Load Up the Slow Cooker

Place your chicken, broth, cream of chicken soup, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and butter into the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir.

This is the part where you can walk away. You’ve earned it!

2. Cook Low and Slow

Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.

3. Make the Dumplings

In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter using a fork or your fingertips until it looks crumbly. Stir in milk until just combined—don’t overmix.

Your dough should be sticky, not smooth. A little messy is perfect here.

4. Shred the Chicken

Once cooked, remove the chicken with tongs and shred it using two forks. Return it to the slow cooker and stir everything together.

5. Add the Dumplings

Drop small spoonfuls of the dough (about 1 tablespoon each) directly on top of the hot soup mixture. Don’t stir—just let them float!

6. Steam the Dumplings

Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. The dumplings will puff up and cook through with steam. Try not to lift the lid too often—it’s tempting, but it slows down the cooking.

Trust me, the hardest part is waiting!

7. Serve and Savor

Once the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through, give everything a gentle stir. Ladle into bowls and serve warm.

Serving Ideas

Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Serve with a side of buttery biscuits or a crisp green salad.
A drizzle of cream or a sprinkle of Parmesan makes it extra luxurious.

Variations & Customizations

Add veggies – Peas, corn, or green beans are lovely additions.
Make it creamier – Stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end.
Use rotisserie chicken – Skip the raw chicken step and shorten cooking time by 2 hours.
Herby twist – Swap thyme for dill or rosemary for a different flavor.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: The base (without dumplings) freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Add fresh dumplings when reheating.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth or milk to bring back the creaminess.

Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

💡 Pro Tips:

Drop dumplings gently so they don’t sink too deep.
Resist lifting the lid while they cook—steam is your secret weapon!
For extra flavor, sear the chicken lightly before adding it to the slow cooker.

🚫 Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t overmix your dumpling dough—it’ll make them dense instead of fluffy.
Avoid adding cold milk to the hot mixture; it can curdle.
Don’t overcrowd your slow cooker—space helps dumplings cook evenly.

Recipe Summary

Yield: 4–6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours (low) or 4–5 hours (high)
Total Time: About 8 hours
Per Serving: ~420 calories | 28g protein | 18g fat | 32g carbs

Final Thoughts

There’s something so satisfying about coming home to a slow cooker full of creamy chicken and dumplings. It’s warm, nostalgic, and just plain delicious. Every spoonful feels like a hug you didn’t know you needed.