🥣 How to Cook Dumplings in a Slow Cooker
There's something wonderfully comforting about a bowl of chicken and dumplings. Tender chicken, creamy broth, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings make the kind of meal that feels like a warm blanket on a chilly evening.
And yes, you can make chicken and dumplings in a slow cooker.
The trick is knowing when to add the dumplings. Unlike the chicken and vegetables, the dumplings don't need hours of slow cooking. Adding them during the final part of the cooking time helps them stay tender and fluffy instead of becoming overly dense.
This easy slow cooker recipe is perfect for busy days when you want dinner waiting for you at the end of the afternoon.
🍗 Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Broth
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 cup frozen peas
For the Dumplings
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
For a Creamy Broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, optional
🍲 How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
1. Add the chicken and vegetables
Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
Add the carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, thyme, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for about 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Cooking times can vary between slow cookers, so check the chicken with a food thermometer. Chicken should reach 165°F in the thickest part.
2. Shred the chicken
Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a plate or cutting board.
Shred it with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker.
Add the frozen peas.
3. Make the dumpling dough
While the chicken is cooking, or shortly before you're ready to add the dumplings, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Add the milk and melted butter.
Stir just until a soft, thick dough forms.
Don't overmix. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
4. Add the dumplings
Turn the slow cooker to HIGH.
Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls over the surface of the hot chicken mixture.
Leave a little space between the dumplings so the steam can circulate around them.
5. Cover and cook
Put the lid back on and cook on HIGH for approximately 45 to 60 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
Keep the lid closed while the dumplings cook.
Every time you lift the lid, you release the steam that helps cook the dumplings.
6. Make it creamy
For a richer chicken and dumplings, stir in the heavy cream during the final 10 to 15 minutes of cooking.
If you'd like a thicker broth, whisk 2 tablespoons of flour with a few tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir the mixture into the broth and allow it to cook for several minutes before serving.
7. Serve
Ladle the chicken, vegetables, creamy broth, and dumplings into bowls.
Finish with fresh chopped parsley and a little extra black pepper.
Serve hot.
🌿 Easy Variations
Creamy Chicken and Dumplings
Add the 1/2 cup heavy cream for a richer, velvety broth.
For an even creamier version, replace part of the broth with milk, but avoid adding large amounts of dairy at the beginning of a long slow-cooking process.
Vegetable Dumplings
Skip the chicken and use vegetable broth instead.
Add extra carrots, celery, peas, mushrooms, corn, or diced potatoes for a hearty vegetarian version.
Herbed Dumplings
Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, chives, or thyme to the dumpling dough.
Dried herbs work too. Try about 1 teaspoon of your favorite dried herb blend.
Cheddar Dumplings
For a cozy cheesy variation, add 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the dumpling dough.
A little chopped green onion is delicious here too.
🥄 Tips for Fluffy Slow Cooker Dumplings
Don't overmix the dough. Overworking the dough can make the dumplings tough.
Don't add the dumplings at the beginning. They need much less cooking time than the chicken.
Keep the lid closed. Steam is essential for cooking the dumplings properly.
Use a spoon rather than your hands. The dough will be soft and sticky. That's exactly what you want.
Don't overcrowd the surface. Leave small spaces between the dumplings so they can expand.
Give them enough time. Depending on your slow cooker and the size of your dumplings, they may need closer to an hour.
Check the center. If you're unsure whether they're finished, carefully remove one dumpling and cut it open. The center should be cooked through rather than wet or doughy.
🥕 What to Serve With Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings are already a complete comfort meal, but a few simple sides work beautifully.
Try serving them with:
- Green beans
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted carrots
- A simple green salad
- Corn
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Cranberry sauce
- Warm crusty bread
For a really cozy dinner, keep the sides simple and let the chicken and dumplings be the star.
🧊 Storing Leftovers
Allow leftovers to cool and refrigerate them promptly in a covered container.
Store the chicken and dumplings in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until thoroughly hot.
The dumplings will absorb some of the broth as they sit, so you may need to add a splash of chicken broth when reheating.
For the best texture, avoid repeatedly reheating the entire batch. Warm only the amount you plan to eat.
🌙 The Crunchy Moon Takeaway
Slow cooker chicken and dumplings is exactly the kind of old-fashioned comfort food that earns a permanent spot in the recipe box.
The chicken cooks low and slow, the vegetables soften into the savory broth, and the dumplings are added near the end so they have time to puff up into tender little pillows.
It's cozy, filling, practical, and wonderfully unfussy.
Basically, put dinner in the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a bowl of comfort. 🥣🍗
Technical Note
Dumpling texture can vary depending on the flour, milk, dumpling size, and slow cooker. If the dough seems unusually dry, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time. If it is extremely wet, add a small amount of flour. Larger dumplings may require additional cooking time.
