Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings: A Comforting Classic

Few dishes evoke the cozy warmth of home quite like chicken and dumplings. This comfort food classic, rich with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and pillowy dumplings, is perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave a bowl of pure nostalgia. While traditionally made on the stovetop, the crockpot version brings ease and convenience without compromising on flavor. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making this hearty dish.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Stew:

1.5–2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
4 cups chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
2 cups chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Dumplings:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ cup whole milk (adjust if dough is too dry)

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Begin by placing the chopped carrots, celery, and onion at the bottom of the crockpot.
Layer the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables.
Sprinkle garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper over the chicken.
Pour the chicken broth into the crockpot, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged.