There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of chicken and dumplings to bring comfort and joy, especially when it comes with the promise of minimal effort. This easy and delicious crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe, featuring the clever shortcut of canned biscuits, is truly a family favorite. Imagine a rich, creamy sauce enveloping tender, shredded chicken—a winning combination on its own—now elevated with soft, pillowy dumplings. The result is super easy comfort food that everyone at your table will adore, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights or a cozy Sunday meal.

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Recipe Video Guide

Why Choose the Crockpot for Chicken and Dumplings?

The slow cooker is an absolute game-changer when it comes to making incredibly tender chicken and a deeply flavorful, creamy sauce. Its “set it and forget it” nature allows the ingredients to meld together over hours, creating a depth of flavor that’s hard to achieve with quicker cooking methods. For chicken and dumplings, this means succulent chicken that practically shreds itself and a rich base that’s infused with all the aromatic goodness. The crockpot also ensures that your kitchen stays cool, making it a fantastic option year-round. It’s the ultimate tool for achieving that slow-simmered taste with minimal active time, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet-tasting meal.

Understanding Cooking Time for Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

The beauty of this recipe lies in the crockpot doing the heavy lifting, giving you back precious time. To enjoy your delicious chicken and dumplings, plan to start the cooking process approximately 4-6 hours before you intend to serve it, setting your slow cooker to the high heat setting. The initial cooking phase ensures the chicken is perfectly tender and the sauce develops its rich flavor. You’ll then perform a quick step of shredding the chicken and adding the biscuits about 30 minutes before mealtime. This convenient, largely hands-off approach makes slow cooker chicken and dumplings an ideal meal for busy schedules, letting you go about your day while dinner practically cooks itself.

Crockpot Size Matters for Optimal Cooking

It’s important to note that the size of your slow cooker will significantly influence both the cooking time and the amount of liquid required. Larger crockpots tend to cook the same quantity of food faster and at a higher temperature than their smaller counterparts. For reference, I typically use a 6-quart crockpot, which is considered a larger model, and my timing recommendations are based on this. If you are using a smaller slow cooker, such as a 3-4 quart model, you may find that the initial cooking time needs to be extended to ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.

Adjusting Cooking Time and Liquid Levels

Should you need to cook your chicken and dumpling recipe for a longer period than the recommended 4-6 hours, it’s absolutely possible. However, you might need to adjust the initial amount of liquid. The exact quantity of extra liquid depends on how hot your specific slow cooker model runs and its size. As a general guideline, I would suggest adding about ¼ cup of extra liquid (chicken broth or water) per additional hour for a 3-4 quart crockpot during the initial cooking phase. Always check the liquid level before adding the biscuits; the mixture should be soupy enough to allow the biscuits to simmer without drying out.

In my 6-quart pot, if I plan to cook for more than 5 hours, I usually increase the initial broth by about ½ cup. I also keep extra broth or water on hand to add right before the biscuits if the sauce has thickened too much, ensuring a perfectly creamy consistency. Smaller crockpots might not require as much additional liquid, so it’s always best to get to know your specific appliance and make minor adjustments as needed.

Essential Ingredients for Easy Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

The secret to this incredibly easy and yummy slow cooker chicken and dumplings dinner is the smart use of a few pantry staples, specifically cream of chicken soup and canned biscuits. These ingredients make preparation a breeze, allowing you to create a home-cooked meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but with virtually no effort. This delightful slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe calls for:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: These cook down beautifully in the slow cooker, becoming wonderfully tender and easy to shred. If your family prefers, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used for a richer flavor. If you opt for pre-cooked chicken, you can significantly reduce the initial cooking time.
• Softened Butter: A small amount of butter adds richness and helps create that luscious, creamy texture in the sauce. Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
• Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: This is the backbone of our creamy sauce. While generic brands are available, I personally find that the classic flavor and consistency of Campbell’s condensed soups are worth the slight price difference for this recipe.
• Chicken Broth: Provides the necessary liquid for the slow cooker and helps thin the soup concentrate into a perfect sauce. Keep extra on hand for thinning if needed later.
• Diced Onion: A small onion, finely diced, adds a foundational aromatic flavor to the dish, slowly softening and sweetening as it cooks.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the natural flavors in the dish. Adjust to your personal preference.
• Canned Refrigerator Biscuits: The true star of the “easy” factor! These are cut into pieces and dropped directly into the hot chicken mixture to become soft, fluffy dumplings. While any biscuit dough can work, the canned variety offers unparalleled convenience. If using frozen biscuits, ensure they are fully thawed before adding them to the crockpot.
• Fresh Parsley: Used both in the mixture for a hint of freshness and as a garnish to add a pop of color and herbaceous note to the finished dish.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

1. Prepare the Crockpot and Chicken: Begin by lightly spraying the interior of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Arrange the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a base for your delicious meal.
2. Mix and Pour the Sauce: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the softened butter, condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, diced onions, and fresh parsley. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined and form a smooth, creamy mixture. Carefully pour this flavorful sauce over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged.
3. Initial Slow Cooking: Cover your slow cooker with its lid and set the temperature to high. Allow the chicken and sauce to cook undisturbed for 4-6 hours. As mentioned earlier, larger crockpots generally require less cooking time (around 4 hours), while smaller ones (like a 3.5-quart model) may need the full 6 hours to ensure the chicken is perfectly tender and the flavors have fully developed.
4. Shred the Chicken: Once the initial cooking time has elapsed, turn off the slow cooker. Using two forks, or by holding each piece of chicken in place with a wooden spoon and pulling it apart with a fork, gently shred the cooked chicken directly in the crockpot. The chicken should be incredibly tender and easy to pull apart. Stir the shredded chicken back into the creamy sauce.
5. Prepare and Add Dumplings: Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut each canned refrigerator biscuit into nine smaller, bite-sized pieces. These will transform into your fluffy dumplings. Stir these chopped biscuit pieces directly into the hot chicken mixture in the slow cooker. Ensure they are somewhat submerged in the liquid so they can cook properly.
6. Final Cook with Dumplings: Turn the crockpot back on to high and continue cooking for another 30 minutes. During this time, the biscuit pieces will plump up and cook through, becoming soft and tender dumplings. If your mixture appears too thick after adding the biscuits, you can add about ½ to 1 cup of hot chicken broth or water to thin it to your desired consistency.
7. Season and Serve: Once the biscuits are cooked and fluffy, gently stir the dumplings into the chicken and soup mixture. Taste the dish and add salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference.

Ladle generous portions into bowls and, if desired, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant finish. Enjoy your effortless homemade comfort food!

Tips and Variations for Your Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

This crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for easy customization to suit your family’s tastes or what you have on hand. Here are some tips and variations to make it even better:

• Add Vegetables: For a boost of flavor, color, and nutrition, consider adding vegetables to the slow cooker at the beginning of the cooking process. About a cup of chopped fresh carrots and half a cup of fresh peas work beautifully. If fresh isn’t an option, a 12-ounce bag of frozen peas and carrots can be added directly without thawing. Other great additions include corn, green beans, or even diced potatoes for a heartier stew.
• Enhance Flavor with Seasonings: While simple salt and pepper are effective, you can deepen the flavor profile with additional seasonings. A teaspoon or two of poultry seasoning, a pinch of thyme, or a bay leaf added at the start of cooking can infuse the dish with even more aromatic goodness. A dash of garlic powder or onion powder can also complement the fresh onion.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of a kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can be stirred into the mixture.
• Creamier Consistency: For an even richer, creamier sauce, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream or a block of cream cheese (cut into cubes) during the last 30 minutes of cooking, along with the biscuits.
• Storage and Reheating: Leftover chicken and dumplings store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little extra chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
• Freezing: While the chicken and sauce mixture freezes well, the dumplings tend to get a bit mushy upon thawing and reheating. If you plan to freeze, it’s best to freeze the chicken and sauce separately, then add freshly cooked dumplings when reheating.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings

This creamy crockpot chicken and dumplings dish is quite a complete meal on its own, satisfying and hearty. However, if you’re looking to round out your dinner, a simple side can complement it beautifully without overwhelming the rich flavors. I often enjoy it with just a fresh, crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette, offering a refreshing contrast to the creamy goodness. Other excellent pairings include:

• Crusty Bread or Rolls: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of the delicious, creamy sauce. Garlic bread or cheese bread can add an extra layer of flavor.
• Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: These provide a fresh, slightly crunchy element that balances the richness of the main dish.
• Roasted Broccoli or Brussels Sprouts: For a more robust vegetable side with a hint of earthy flavor.
• A Simple Fruit Salad: A light and sweet fruit salad can be a refreshing palate cleanser after a comforting meal.

Ultimately, this dish is so flavorful and filling that you don’t need much else to make it a memorable meal!

Easy Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

Easy Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

This easy and delicious crockpot chicken and dumplings with canned biscuits is a family favorite. The rich, creamy sauce with shredded, tender chicken is a winning combination even before adding the dumplings. Using cream of chicken soup and canned biscuits make this yummy dinner so easy to prepare that makes it look like I’m a great cook with virtually no effort.

Author: Mary Ann

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Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 6 hrs 30 mins

Total Time: 6 hrs 40 mins

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

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Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 255 cal

Ingredients

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 21 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth, plus extra for thinning if needed
• 1 onion, diced
• 6 refrigerator biscuits, from can
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Dice 1 onion and chop 1 tablespoon fresh parsley.
2. Spray a large slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons softened butter, 21 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 ½ cups chicken broth, diced onions, and chopped parsley. Pour over chicken.
4. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours. (Note: Larger crockpots may need only 4 hours, smaller ones up to 6 hours.)
5. After cooking time has elapsed, turn off the slow cooker and break chicken into pieces using a fork. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut each of 6 refrigerator biscuits into 9 pieces per biscuit.
6. Stir biscuit pieces into the hot chicken mixture.
7. Turn the crockpot back on to high and continue cooking for 30 minutes. If your mixture is too thick when you add the biscuits, add about ½ to 1 cup of hot chicken broth or water to thin the mixture to your desired consistency.
8. Add salt & pepper to taste if needed.
9. Serve garnished with parsley if desired.

Notes

• You can give this dish a flavor and nutrition boost by adding 12 oz. of fresh or frozen vegetables (like peas and carrots) at the beginning of the cooking process.
• If you like extra flavor, add poultry seasoning (1-2 teaspoons) at the beginning as desired.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 255 cal | Carbohydrates: 17 g | Protein: 18 g | Fat: 12 g | Sodium: 983 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 2 g

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Wrap Up Your Week with Effortless Comfort Food

This easy crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a warm hug in a bowl, designed to simplify your life without compromising on taste. With the convenience of canned biscuits and the magic of your slow cooker, you can achieve a rich, creamy, and satisfying dinner that truly feels homemade. It’s the perfect dish for a chilly evening, a busy weeknight, or any time you’re craving classic comfort food without the fuss. We hope this guide inspires you to create this delicious and fuss-free family favorite in your own kitchen. Enjoy the ease and the incredible flavor of your very own crockpot chicken and dumplings!