- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
A refrigerated biscuit dough can also be used if you want an even quicker version. More on that below!
What Tools Do You Need?
Nothing complicated here.
- 6-quart slow cooker or crockpot
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Two forks for shredding the chicken
That's it.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
This recipe is wonderfully flexible.
Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent choice if you prefer darker meat. They stay wonderfully tender during slow cooking.
Frozen Vegetables
In a pinch, you can use frozen peas, carrots, or a mixed vegetable blend.
Add peas toward the end so they don't become overly soft.
Fresh Herbs
Fresh parsley, thyme, or chives make a lovely finishing touch.
Heavy Cream
For a richer sauce, replace part of the milk used in the dumplings with a little cream, or add a small splash of cream to the finished chicken mixture.
Biscuit Dough
This is my favorite shortcut when I don't feel like making dumpling dough from scratch.
Refrigerated biscuit dough can be cut into smaller pieces and added during the final cooking stage.
Mushrooms
Sliced mushrooms are delicious in chicken and dumplings if you're a mushroom fan.
Corn
A handful of corn adds a little sweetness and color.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
Let's get cooking!
Step 1: Add the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Season with salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, and poultry seasoning if using.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables
Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic around the chicken.
Don't worry about making everything perfectly arranged.
It's all going to cook together.
Step 3: Add the Broth and Soup
Pour the chicken broth over everything.
Add the cream of chicken soup and gently stir around the edges to distribute it through the liquid.
The mixture may look a little thick at this point.
That's completely fine.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Cover the crockpot and cook on:
LOW: 6–7 hours
or
HIGH: 3–4 hours
Cooking times can vary depending on your slow cooker and the size of the chicken pieces.
The chicken should be cooked through and tender enough to shred easily.
Step 5: Shred the Chicken
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker.
Place it on a plate or cutting board and shred it using two forks.
Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
Give everything a good stir.
Now it already smells amazing.
But we're not finished!
Step 6: Make the Dumpling Dough
While the chicken is cooking—or shortly before it's ready—prepare the dumplings.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
Add the melted butter and milk.
Stir just until a soft dough forms.
Don't overmix.
A few lumps are perfectly fine.
Overmixing can make dumplings tough instead of light and tender.
Step 7: Add the Dumplings
Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough over the top of the hot chicken mixture.
Try to leave a little space between them.
They'll expand as they cook.
Step 8: Cover and Cook the Dumplings
Cover the slow cooker again.
Cook on HIGH for approximately 45–60 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
And here's an important tip:
Try not to keep lifting the lid.
Every time you remove the lid, you release the heat and steam the dumplings need to cook properly.
I know it's tempting to peek.
Don't do it!
Step 9: Check the Dumplings
The dumplings should be fluffy and cooked through in the center.
If you aren't sure, carefully cut one open.
The middle shouldn't be wet or doughy.
Step 10: Serve
Spoon the chicken, vegetables, creamy sauce, and dumplings into bowls.
Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you'd like.
Then grab a spoon and dig in!
What to Serve With Chicken and Dumplings
This is already a complete meal, but a simple side can be nice.
Try serving it with:
- Green salad
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Corn on the cob
- Sautéed greens
- Cranberry sauce
- Crusty bread
Although honestly?
You've already got chicken, vegetables, and dumplings in one bowl. You don't need much else.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
Don't Add the Dumplings Too Early
Dumplings don't need hours in the slow cooker.
Add them near the end so they stay fluffy instead of becoming mushy.
Don't Overmix the Dough
Mix just until the ingredients come together.
Overworked dough can produce dense dumplings.
Keep the Lid Closed
Steam is your friend when cooking dumplings.
Resist the urge to open the lid repeatedly.
Don't Make the Dumplings Too Large
Large dumplings take longer to cook through.
Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to create reasonably sized portions.
Taste Before Adding More Salt
Chicken broth and cream of chicken soup can already contain quite a bit of sodium.
Taste the finished broth before adding additional salt.
Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Tenderness
If you don't mind darker meat, chicken thighs are incredibly forgiving in the slow cooker.
Give the Dumplings Room
Don't pile all the dough into one giant mass.
Space the dumplings around the top of the chicken mixture so steam can circulate.
Can I Use Refrigerated Biscuits?
Absolutely!
If you're looking for the easiest possible version, refrigerated biscuit dough is a great shortcut.
Cut each biscuit into smaller pieces before adding them to the crockpot.
Place the pieces over the chicken mixture, cover, and cook until the biscuit pieces are fully cooked through.
The texture will be slightly different from homemade dumplings, but it's still wonderfully comforting.
And sometimes easy is exactly what dinner needs!
Can I Use Frozen Dumplings?
Yes, depending on the type.
Frozen dumplings can be added according to their package directions, but cooking times can vary significantly between brands.
Keep an eye on them and make sure they're cooked through before serving.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover chicken and dumplings to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
The dumplings will absorb some of the creamy broth as they sit, so the leftovers may be thicker than the original dish.
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or milk if needed.
Warm gently until heated through.
Can You Freeze Chicken and Dumplings?
You can freeze the chicken and creamy broth, but the dumplings may not retain their original fluffy texture after freezing and thawing.
For the best results, freeze the chicken mixture without the dumplings.
Then make a fresh batch of dumplings when you're ready to serve it again.
That's a little extra work, but the texture is worth it!
General Recipe Information
Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
Prep time: About 20 minutes
Slow-cooking time: 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
Dumpling cooking time: About 45–60 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Difficulty: Easy
Cooking method: Slow cooker
Best for: Family dinners, cold evenings, meal prep, comfort-food cravings
Cooking times are approximate and can vary between slow cookers.
Always make sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put raw chicken directly into the crockpot?
Yes. Chicken can be cooked from raw in a slow cooker as long as it reaches a safe internal temperature and the recipe is cooked properly.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are delicious in this recipe and tend to stay very tender.
Why are my dumplings tough?
The most common culprit is overmixing the dough. Stir only until the ingredients come together.
Dumplings can also become dense if they aren't given enough steam or if the lid is repeatedly removed during cooking.
Why are my dumplings still doughy inside?
They may need more cooking time.
Make sure the slow cooker is hot enough, keep the lid closed, and cook until the centers are fully set.
Can I make this without cream of chicken soup?
Yes. You can make a homemade creamy chicken sauce using butter, flour, chicken broth, milk, and seasonings.
Can I add peas?
Definitely!
Add frozen peas during the final part of cooking so they stay bright and don't become mushy.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, but you'll need to use a gluten-free cream soup or homemade sauce and gluten-free flour for the dumplings. Also check your chicken broth and seasonings for gluten-containing ingredients.
Can I make it dairy-free?
You can adapt the recipe with dairy-free butter and milk and use a dairy-free alternative to cream of chicken soup.
The exact texture may vary depending on the substitutions.
How do I thicken chicken and dumplings?
The dumplings naturally contribute some starch as they cook. If your broth is still thinner than you'd like after the dumplings are cooked, you can thicken it separately with a small cornstarch slurry.
Approximate Nutrition
Nutrition will vary depending on the specific chicken, soup, broth, milk, butter, and dumplings used.
Approximate per serving:
- Calories: 450–550
- Protein: 30–35g
- Carbohydrates: 40–50g
- Fat: 18–25g
- Fiber: 3–5g
- Sodium: 900–1,200mg
These figures are estimates and are provided for general informational purposes.
More Cozy Crockpot Recipes to Try
If you're in the mood for another dinner that practically cooks itself, try:
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
- Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie
- Slow Cooker Beef Tips
- Crockpot Chicken and Rice
- Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
- Crockpot Creamy Ranch Chicken
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
Because once you discover how much easier dinner becomes with a slow cooker, it's hard not to keep finding reasons to use it!
Final Thoughts
There is just something special about a big bowl of Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings.
It's humble food. Familiar food. The kind of dinner that doesn't need fancy presentation because the moment you smell that creamy chicken broth and see those fluffy dumplings sitting on top, you already know you're in for something good.
And the slow cooker makes the whole thing even better.
You do a little prep, walk away, and let dinner take care of itself.
Then you come back to tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, creamy broth, and those soft dumplings that soak up all that delicious goodness.
Now that's a dinner worth coming home to!
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear how it turned out. Leave a review below and tell me whether you used homemade dumplings, refrigerated biscuits, chicken breasts, or thighs.
And if you take a photo, share it on Pinterest and tag your recipe-loving friends!
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