Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings with Steak and Shrimp Twist for a Hearty Dinner

Why You’ll Love This slow cooker chicken and dumplings

• Ease of preparation: This slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe is incredibly simple and perfect for busy days. You just combine the ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let it work its magic while you take care of other tasks. It’s hands-off comfort cooking at its best, requiring minimal effort with delicious results.
• Health benefits: Packed with lean chicken breasts and fresh vegetables, this hearty slow cooker chicken and dumplings meal is full of essential nutrients. It provides a balanced blend of protein, vitamins, and fiber, helping support your well-being while delivering satisfying comfort food.
• Versatility: Easily adaptable, this slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe can cater to diverse dietary needs. You can substitute gluten-free flour for dumplings, use plant-based alternatives for a vegan version, or scale back calories by opting for skinless chicken breasts and low-fat liquids, making it perfect for any preference.
• Distinctive flavor: Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in tender, juicy chicken surrounded by a creamy sauce and topped with fluffy, rich dumplings made from buttermilk biscuits. This creates a warm, comforting dish with that classic homemade taste that stands out as a family favorite.

Essential Ingredients for slow cooker chicken and dumplings

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 to 2 pounds) – offers tender, lean protein.
• 1 large diced onion (or 1 medium onion, chopped) – adds savory depth and sweetness.
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of celery soup – contributes flavor and creaminess.
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup (or 2 cans total) – enhances richness and body.
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley) – adds freshness and herbaceous notes.
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (or ¼ teaspoon as preferred) – provides classic seasoning.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional) – adds savory aromatic flavor.
• Black pepper to taste – balances and seasons the dish.
• 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth – forms flavorful cooking liquid.
• 2 cups frozen vegetables or thawed peas and carrots (optional) – boosts nutrition and texture.
• 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (8 to 10 biscuits) – shortcut for delicious homemade-style dumplings.
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional) – enriches the sauce and adds smoothness.

Special Dietary Options:

• Vegan: Use plant-based chicken substitutes and vegan cream soups along with vegetable broth. Replace buttermilk biscuits with vegan biscuit dough or dumplings made from vegan flour blends.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free cream soups, a gluten-free biscuit dough or flour blend for dumplings, and gluten-free chicken broth to adapt without losing flavor or texture.
• Low-calorie: Choose skinless chicken breasts, low-fat or unsweetened plant-based milk alternatives, and omit butter to reduce calories while keeping richness through seasoning.

How to Prepare the Perfect slow cooker chicken and dumplings: Step-by-Step Guide

First Step: Prep Ingredients

Dice the onion and thaw frozen vegetables if using. Open and prepare soup cans, measure out broth, seasoning, and butter. Arrange refrigerated biscuits and have your slow cooker ready.

Second Step: Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker

Place diced onion and butter at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Lay the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top. This layering allows flavors to infuse into the chicken as it cooks.

Third Step: Mix and Add Soups and Seasoning

In a small bowl, whisk together condensed cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, chopped fresh parsley, poultry seasoning, garlic powder if using, and black pepper. Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, creating a creamy flavor base.

Fourth Step: Pour Broth and Set to Cook

Pour 2 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth over the mixture, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours until the chicken is tender and can be shredded easily.

Fifth Step: Shred Chicken and Add Vegetables

About one hour before serving (after approximately 4 hours on high or near end of low cook time), remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the slow cooker. Stir in the thawed frozen vegetables or peas and carrots to add nutrients and texture.

Sixth Step: Prepare and Add Dumplings

Roll refrigerated buttermilk biscuits thin and flat using a rolling pin, then cut into strips or quarter regular-sized biscuits. Place these biscuit pieces evenly over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the slow cooker.

Seventh Step: Final Cooking of Dumplings

Quickly replace the slow cooker lid and cook on high for an additional 60 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked through and tender but still slightly doughy. Avoid lifting the lid while cooking to maintain the consistent temperature needed for fluffy dumplings.

Final Step: Serve and Enjoy

Give everything a gentle stir to slightly break up the dumplings, mixing all ingredients well. Serve warm, garnished with extra parsley if desired. This rich slow cooker chicken and dumplings dish is a comforting, nourishing meal perfect for family dinners.

If you want a meaty twist, try pairing this dish with air fryer steak bites for an extra hearty weekend feast.

this …

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your slow cooker chicken and dumplings

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

• Use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more flavorful meat.
• Substitute plant-based chicken alternatives like seitan or jackfruit for a vegan option.
• For a surf and turf twist, add cooked shrimp or small pieces of firm white fish adjusting cooking times accordingly.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

• Swap frozen peas and carrots with diced parsnips, fennel, or turnips for a unique flavor and texture.
• Use dairy-free, gluten-free cream soups to tailor for dietary restrictions.
• Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for vegetarian or vegan diets.
• Use alternative herbs like rosemary, sage, or oregano in place of poultry seasoning to vary flavor complexity.
• Opt for gluten-free biscuit dough or homemade dumplings using gluten-free flour blends if gluten is a concern.

Mastering slow cooker chicken and dumplings: Advanced Tips and Variations

• Pro cooking techniques: For deeper flavor, brown chicken lightly in a skillet before placing it in the slow cooker. This adds caramelization and richness.
• Flavor variations: Incorporate mushrooms or leeks during cooking for earthier tones, or sweet potatoes for a touch of natural sweetness.
• Presentation tips: Serve in rustic bowls with fresh chopped parsley or chives sprinkled on top for color and freshness, alongside a slice of crusty bread.
• Make-ahead options: Prepare the chicken and vegetable base a day early, refrigerate, then add dumplings and cook just before serving for optimal texture and timing.

How to Store slow cooker chicken and dumplings: Best Practices

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About slow cooker chicken and dumplings

slow cooker chicken and dumplings

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

🍲 Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings, offering a rich and creamy sauce topped with tender, homemade dumplings.
🦐 Add a unique twist with steak and shrimp, transforming this hearty meal into a gourmet dinner that delights the whole family.

• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts for tender, lean protein

1 large diced onion for savory depth and sweetness

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of celery soup for flavor and creaminess

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup for enhances richness and body

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for freshness and herbaceous notes

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning for classic seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder for savory aromatic flavor

Black pepper

2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth for forms flavorful cooking liquid

2 cups frozen vegetables or thawed peas and carrots for boosts nutrition and texture

1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits for shortcut for delicious homemade-style dumplings

2 tablespoons butter for enriches the sauce and adds smoothness

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

First Step: Prep Ingredients Dice the onion and thaw frozen vegetables if using. Open and prepare soup cans, measure out broth, seasoning, and butter. Arrange refrigerated biscuits and have your slow cooker ready.

Second Step: Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker Place diced onion and butter at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Lay the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top. This layering allows flavors to infuse into the chicken as it cooks.

Third Step: Mix and Add Soups and Seasoning In a small bowl, whisk together condensed cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, chopped fresh parsley, poultry seasoning, garlic powder if using, and black pepper. Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, creating a creamy flavor base.

Fourth Step: Pour Broth and Set to Cook Pour 2 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth over the mixture, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours until the chicken is tender and can be shredded easily.

Fifth Step: Shred Chicken and Add Vegetables About one hour before serving (after approximately 4 hours on high or near end of low cook time), remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the slow cooker. Stir in the thawed frozen vegetables or peas and carrots to add nutrients and texture.

Sixth Step: Prepare and Add Dumplings Roll refrigerated buttermilk biscuits thin and flat using a rolling pin, then cut into strips or quarter regular-sized biscuits. Place these biscuit pieces evenly over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the slow cooker.

Seventh Step: Final Cooking of Dumplings Quickly replace the slow cooker lid and cook on high for an additional 60 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked through and tender but still slightly doughy. Avoid lifting the lid while cooking to maintain the consistent temperature needed for fluffy dumplings.

Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Give everything a gentle stir to slightly break up the dumplings, mixing all ingredients well. Serve warm, garnished with extra parsley if desired. This rich slow cooker chicken and dumplings dish is a comforting, nourishing meal perfect for family dinners.

Notes

🔪 Use a 6-quart slow cooker for even cooking.
🌽 Ensure frozen vegetables are fully thawed to minimize cooking time.
🍞 Buttermilk or Homestyle biscuits work best for that perfect dumpling texture.

• Author: Camille Hayes
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 to 7 hours
• Cook Time: 7 hours
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Balanced

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1300 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg