Chicken and Dumplings

There’s nothing quite like a hearty bowl of Chicken and Dumplings to bring comfort and warmth to the table. This recipe, which combines tender chunks of chicken, a rich broth, vegetables, and fluffy biscuits, is a go-to dish for many during the colder months or whenever a comforting meal is needed. While the dish may seem complex, this version keeps things simple with the help of store-bought ingredients like cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and pre-made biscuit dough, making it a breeze to whip up, even on busy days.

Jump to Recipe

Cooking everything in a slow cooker adds convenience and allows the flavors to meld beautifully over time. As the chicken simmers, it becomes tender and flavorful, while the dumplings soak up the rich broth, becoming soft and pillowy. The result is a delicious, soul-warming meal that’s perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or even meal prepping for the week.

A Breakdown of the Ingredients

Let’s dive into the ingredients used in this recipe and how each one contributes to making this dish so special.

1. Cream of Chicken Soup (1 Can)

This classic pantry staple acts as the base for the broth, providing a creamy, savory richness that binds all the flavors together. Cream of chicken soup is thick, smooth, and adds depth to the dish, making it wonderfully comforting. If you want to make the dish even richer, you can substitute a homemade cream sauce made with a roux and chicken stock, but the canned version is a quick and convenient shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

2. Chicken Broth (1 Box or Container)

The chicken broth is key to creating a flavorful, liquid base for this dish. It not only enhances the chicken flavor but also helps balance the richness of the cream of chicken soup. Opt for a low-sodium variety if you’re watching your salt intake, and feel free to use homemade broth for an added layer of flavor if you have it on hand. The broth keeps everything moist and juicy, and as the dumplings cook, they absorb some of it, making them soft and tender.

3. Chicken Breasts (2 Pieces)

The chicken breasts provide the protein in this dish. By cooking them low and slow, the chicken becomes tender and easily shreddable. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat, which adds even more richness to the dish. Once cooked, the chicken is easy to shred or chop, distributing it evenly throughout the stew.

4. Frozen Vegetables (Amount as Desired)

Frozen mixed vegetables are a fantastic time-saver and add a healthy dose of nutrients to the dish. Whether you prefer peas, carrots, green beans, or corn, the choice of vegetables is entirely up to you. Since they’re frozen, they’re already pre-cooked, so they only need to be reheated in the stew. The vegetables add color, texture, and nutrition to the dish, making it a well-rounded meal.

5. Diced Onion (1/2 Medium-Sized)

A diced onion adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the broth. Onions soften as they cook, releasing their natural sugars and infusing the dish with a mellow, savory taste. This ingredient is essential for building a robust flavor profile in the soup.

6. Garlic and Onion Powder (To Taste)

Both garlic powder and onion powder are essential for seasoning the dish. These spices enhance the natural flavors of the chicken, vegetables, and broth, giving the dish a deeper, more well-rounded flavor. They’re easy to use and dissolve quickly in the broth, ensuring even seasoning throughout.

7. Butter (2 Teaspoons)

A small amount of butter adds richness and a velvety texture to the broth. Unlike margarine, which contains water and artificial ingredients, butter provides a pure, creamy flavor that complements the other ingredients. It also helps sauté the onions, bringing out their sweetness and adding depth to the broth.

8. Grands Biscuits (1 Roll, Cut into Quarters)

The Grands biscuits serve as the “dumplings” in this dish. When added to the slow cooker, they cook right in the broth, soaking up the flavorful liquid while becoming soft and tender on the inside, with a slightly chewy exterior. Rolling them into quarter-sized pieces before adding them ensures they cook evenly. These biscuits are a fantastic shortcut that saves time while still delivering the pillowy, comforting texture of traditional dumplings.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This Chicken and Dumplings recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, especially since it utilizes a slow cooker. Simply throw all the ingredients in and let the magic happen over the course of six hours.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Before you begin, make sure all your ingredients are ready to go.

1. Chop the Onion: Dice 1/2 medium-sized onion finely. This ensures that it will cook down and blend seamlessly into the dish.
2. Measure the Seasonings: Measure out your garlic powder and onion powder, adjusting the amount to your taste preferences.
3. Prepare the Chicken: Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts, ensuring they are ready to be placed into the slow cooker.
4. Cut the Biscuits: Take the Grands biscuits and roll each one into a quarter-sized ball. Set them aside for later.

Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

In this recipe, the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting. Here’s how to layer the ingredients:

1. Start with the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. The chicken will cook through and become tender, infusing the broth with its flavor.
2. Add the Onion and Vegetables: Scatter the diced onion and frozen vegetables over the chicken. These will soften and add texture to the stew.
3. Pour in the Cream of Chicken Soup and Chicken Broth: Add the can of cream of chicken soup and the entire box of chicken broth into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
4. Season the Broth: Sprinkle in the garlic powder and onion powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir again to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
5. Add Butter: Drop in 2 teaspoons of butter to add richness to the broth.

Step 3: Slow Cook

Set your slow cooker to low and let the dish cook for 6 hours. During this time, the chicken will become tender, the onions will soften, and the broth will thicken slightly as the flavors meld together.

Step 4: Add the Biscuits

An hour before the cooking time is up, it’s time to add the Grands biscuits. Drop the quarter-sized pieces of dough into the slow cooker, making sure they’re evenly spaced out so they can cook through. Once added, cover the slow cooker again and let the biscuits cook for the final hour. The biscuits will puff up and become soft, acting as the dumplings in this comforting dish.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

After 6 hours of slow cooking, your Chicken and Dumplings will be ready to enjoy. Use a fork to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, if it hasn’t fallen apart already. Serve the dish in deep bowls, ensuring everyone gets a good mix of chicken, vegetables, broth, and fluffy dumplings. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley for a pop of color, if desired.

Customizations and Variations

One of the great things about Chicken and Dumplings is its versatility. Here are some ideas for customizing the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs:

1. Change Up the Protein

• Turkey: Swap the chicken breasts for turkey, especially around the holidays when leftovers are abundant.
• Rotisserie Chicken: For even quicker prep, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Shred the meat and add it to the slow cooker in the last hour of cooking.

2. Vegetarian Version

To make a vegetarian version of this dish, simply omit the chicken and replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. Add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or potatoes to make the dish hearty and satisfying.

3. Add More Vegetables

Feel free to add extra vegetables based on what you have in your freezer or pantry. Some great additions include:

• Green beans for a bit of crunch
• Corn kernels for added sweetness
• Sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor

4. Spice It Up

If you like a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. You can also season the chicken with Cajun seasoning or paprika for added flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

This Chicken and Dumplings recipe is perfect for anyone who loves a comforting, hearty meal but doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the work, ensuring that the chicken is tender and the broth is full of flavor. By using store-bought biscuits, you cut down on prep time without sacrificing that soft, fluffy dumpling texture that makes this dish so iconic. The addition of frozen vegetables and simple seasonings means that this recipe is both easy and adaptable, allowing you to make it your own.

Conclusion: A Comforting Classic Made Easy

There’s a reason Chicken and Dumplings is a beloved dish in homes across the country—it’s the ultimate comfort food. This recipe takes all the best parts of traditional chicken and dumplings and makes them even easier to prepare, thanks to the slow cooker and convenient ingredients like Grands biscuits and cream of chicken soup. With tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, this dish is sure to become a regular part of your dinner rotation, especially on chilly evenings when you need something warm and satisfying.