Best Ever Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Step 3: Cook in the Crock Pot

Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. The chicken should easily shred with two forks.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot, stirring it into the vegetables and broth.

Step 5: Prepare the Dumpling Dough

While the chicken is cooking, mix the dumpling ingredients in a medium bowl:

1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Stir in melted butter and milk until a soft dough forms.

Tip: The dough should be thick but scoopable. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour.

Step 6: Add Dumplings to the Crock Pot

Use a spoon to drop small portions of the dough directly onto the simmering stew. Cover the crock pot again and cook on HIGH for 30–40 minutes until the dumplings are fully cooked. They should be fluffy and no longer doughy in the center.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Optional: Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream or half-and-half for a richer, creamier broth. Add frozen peas in the last 5 minutes of cooking for a pop of color and sweetness. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Serve hot in deep bowls, making sure each portion has plenty of tender chicken, vegetables, and soft dumplings. Pair it with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.

Tips for the Best Chicken and Dumplings

1. Use Thighs for Moisture: Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts in slow cooking.
2. Don’t Lift the Lid: Opening the crock pot frequently releases heat, which can increase cooking time.
3. Make Ahead: You can prepare the vegetables and dumpling dough ahead of time to save time on busy days.
4. Leftovers: This dish stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheats beautifully.

This Best Ever Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is perfect for cozy family dinners, meal prep, or whenever you crave a bowl of comfort. With tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and melt-in-your-mouth dumplings, it’s a dish that feels homemade, rich, and incredibly satisfying.

If you want, I can also make a super easy cheat sheet version of this recipe that fits in one page for your kitchen, so you can follow it quickly while cooking. It would be like your personal cooking hack sheet. Do you want me to do that?