Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredibly easy and unbelievably delicious crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe, cleverly simplified with canned biscuits. This classic comfort food dish, featuring a rich, creamy sauce enveloping tender, shredded chicken, is a guaranteed family favorite. The addition of fluffy, ready-to-use dumplings creates a hearty, satisfying meal that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor. Prepare to impress everyone at the dinner table with a dish that tastes like it took hours of painstaking work, but actually comes together with remarkable ease in your slow cooker.

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Perfect Timing: How Long to Cook Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is how it leverages the slow cooker to do most of the heavy lifting for you, making it ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends. For optimal results, plan to start cooking your chicken and dumpling dish approximately 4-6 hours before you intend to serve it, using the high setting on your slow cooker. The beauty of this timeline is that the initial prep is quick, allowing you to simply set it and forget it until close to dinner. You’ll only need to return to shred the chicken and add the canned biscuits about 30 minutes before mealtime.

It’s important to note that the size and specific heat settings of your slow cooker can significantly influence the overall cooking time and the amount of liquid required. Larger crockpots, such as a 6-quart model, tend to cook food faster and at a higher temperature than smaller versions. This recipe was developed and tested using a 6-quart crockpot, where chicken typically reaches perfect tenderness in about 4 hours on high. If you’re using a smaller slow cooker, like a 3-4 quart model, you might find that it needs the full 6 hours to cook thoroughly. While I haven’t specifically tested this recipe in smaller slow cookers, it’s a good rule of thumb to consider increasing the cooking time slightly.

Adjusting Cooking Time and Liquid: Should you need to cook the chicken and dumpling recipe for a duration longer than the recommended 4-6 hours, it’s absolutely possible. However, you may need to add a bit of extra liquid at the beginning of the cooking process to prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or reducing excessively. The exact amount of additional liquid will depend on your slow cooker’s size and how “hot” it typically runs. For a 3-4 quart crockpot, I’d suggest starting with an extra ¼ cup of liquid per additional hour of cooking beyond 6 hours, then always check the liquid level before stirring in the biscuits. In my 6-quart pot, if I’m cooking for more than 5 hours, I usually increase the initial broth quantity. I also keep extra chicken broth on hand to add right before the biscuits, if the mixture appears too thick for a creamy consistency. Conversely, if you’re using a smaller crockpot, you might require less additional liquid due to less surface area for evaporation. Always aim for a consistency that allows the biscuits to cook properly without drying out the dish.

Essential Ingredients for Simple Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

The secret to this incredibly easy and flavorful dinner lies in utilizing readily available ingredients like cream of chicken soup and canned biscuits. These shortcuts don’t just save time; they help create a meal that tastes like a culinary masterpiece with very little actual effort. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need for this delicious slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: We recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for ease and lean protein. They cook down beautifully and shred into perfect bite-sized pieces for the dish. If your family prefers the richer flavor of dark meat, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be a fantastic alternative. Should you opt for pre-cooked chicken (like rotisserie chicken), you can significantly reduce the initial cooking time in the slow cooker, adding it towards the last hour of cooking before the biscuits.
• Softened Butter: A couple of tablespoons of softened butter contribute to the rich, velvety texture and depth of flavor in the creamy sauce. It blends seamlessly with the other liquid ingredients.
• Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: This is the cornerstone of our wonderfully creamy sauce. While many generic or store-brand condensed soups are available and can be more budget-friendly, I personally find that the classic flavor and consistent texture of Campbell’s condensed soups are worth the slight price difference, providing a superior base for this dish.
• Chicken Broth: Essential for thinning the condensed soup into a luscious sauce and ensuring the chicken cooks thoroughly. Opt for a low-sodium chicken broth if you’re mindful of salt intake, as the condensed soup already provides a good amount of seasoning. You can always adjust salt later.
• Diced Onion: A finely diced onion adds a foundational aromatic flavor that truly elevates the dish beyond just a simple chicken and soup mixture. It slowly caramelizes and softens in the crockpot, imparting a subtle sweetness and savory depth.
• Salt & Pepper: Simple, yet crucial. These fundamental seasonings allow you to adjust the taste of the dish to your personal preference. Add them at the end after the biscuits have cooked, as the condensed soup already contains salt.
• Canned Refrigerator Biscuits: This is where the “easy” truly comes into play for your dumplings! While you could make homemade dumpling dough, canned biscuits provide an unparalleled convenience and deliver perfectly fluffy, tender dumplings every time. Any brand of canned biscuit dough will work well, from flaky layers to homestyle varieties. If you happen to be using frozen biscuits, ensure they are completely thawed before cutting and adding them to the crockpot to ensure even cooking.
• Fresh Parsley: Used primarily as a garnish, fresh parsley adds a vibrant pop of color and a subtle, fresh herbaceous note that brightens the entire dish. A tablespoon stirred into the sauce also adds a lovely background flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

Creating this satisfying meal is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch of crockpot chicken and dumplings:

1. Prepare Your Slow Cooker: Begin by lightly spraying the interior of your slow cooker pot with a non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step helps prevent the chicken and creamy sauce from sticking to the sides and bottom during the long cooking process, making cleanup significantly easier.
2. Layer the Chicken: Carefully place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared slow cooker pot (as shown in image 1). This ensures even cooking and allows the chicken to be fully submerged in the flavorful sauce.
3. Whip Up the Creamy Sauce: In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, diced onions, and chopped fresh parsley. Whisk these ingredients together until they are thoroughly blended and smooth. This creates the rich and savory base for your chicken and dumplings.
4. Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared creamy soup mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker (as depicted in image 2). Make sure the chicken is mostly covered by the liquid. Securely place the lid on your slow cooker. Set the appliance to cook on the HIGH setting for 4 to 6 hours. Remember, larger crockpots (like 6-quart models) may only need about 4 hours, while smaller ones (such as 3.5-quart models) might require closer to the full 6 hours to ensure the chicken is fall-apart tender.
5. Shred the Chicken: Once the initial cooking time has elapsed and the chicken is fully cooked and tender, turn off your slow cooker. Using two forks, or a single fork with a wooden spoon to hold the chicken steady, gently shred the chicken directly in the crockpot (refer to image 3). The chicken should be tender enough to pull apart with ease. Alternatively, you can remove the chicken to a cutting board, shred it, and then return it to the pot.
6. Prepare the Dumplings: While the chicken is being shredded, retrieve your canned refrigerator biscuits. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut each biscuit into approximately 9 equal pieces. Aim for fairly uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
7. Add the Dumplings and Finish Cooking: Stir the chopped biscuit pieces into the hot chicken and soup mixture in the slow cooker (as seen in image 4). Ensure the biscuit pieces are submerged in the liquid so they can absorb moisture and cook. Turn the crockpot back on to the HIGH setting and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes. During this time, the biscuit pieces will transform into soft, fluffy dumplings.
8. Serve and Garnish: After about 30 minutes, or once the dumplings are cooked through and tender, the dish is ready. Gently stir the dumplings into the chicken and soup mixture one last time to ensure everything is well combined and coated in the creamy sauce.

Ladle generous portions into bowls. For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, homemade-tasting meal!

Expert Tips for the Best Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

Enhance your crockpot chicken and dumplings experience with these helpful tips and variations:

• Add Vegetables for Extra Flavor and Nutrition: For a more robust flavor profile and a boost of nutrients, consider adding vegetables at the beginning of the cooking process. About a cup of chopped fresh carrots and half a cup of fresh peas would be wonderful additions. If fresh vegetables aren’t on hand, a 12 oz. bag of frozen peas and carrots works just as well – there’s no need to thaw them beforehand; simply add them to the slow cooker with the chicken and sauce. Other great options include diced celery or even a handful of spinach stirred in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Boost the Flavor Profile: If you love a deeply savory dish, consider adding a teaspoon of poultry seasoning, garlic powder, or dried thyme to the soup mixture along with the salt and pepper. These spices perfectly complement chicken and bring an additional layer of warmth and complexity.
• Thickening or Thinning the Sauce: If you find your sauce is too thin after the chicken has cooked, you can thicken it slightly by stirring in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last hour of cooking. If it’s too thick, especially before adding the biscuits, simply add an additional ½ to 1 cup of chicken broth or water, stirring until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Storage and Reheating: Leftover chicken and dumplings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm portions on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave individual servings.
• Freezing Instructions: While the chicken and sauce freeze beautifully, the dumplings tend to become a bit mushy or dry upon thawing and reheating. If you plan to freeze this meal, it’s best to cook the chicken and sauce without the biscuits. Once cooled, freeze the chicken mixture in freezer-safe containers. When ready to serve, thaw, reheat the chicken mixture, and then add freshly cut canned biscuits to cook through.
• Healthier Twists: To lighten up the dish, use low-sodium chicken broth and a low-fat or condensed 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup. You can also explore whole wheat canned biscuits for added fiber, or use lean chicken tenders.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Chicken & Dumplings

This creamy chicken and dumplings dish is a meal in itself, hearty and incredibly satisfying. Often, it doesn’t need much more than a simple accompaniment to round out the meal. I find it pairs wonderfully with just a fresh, crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette. The freshness of the salad provides a delightful contrast to the rich, creamy main course.

However, if you’re looking to expand your meal, here are a few other excellent side dish suggestions:

• Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible creamy sauce.
• Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: Offer a bright, verdant counterpoint and extra vegetables.
• Corn on the Cob or Creamed Corn: A classic Southern pairing that adds sweetness.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Their slightly bitter, nutty flavor provides a lovely balance.
• Coleslaw: A tangy, crunchy coleslaw can cut through the richness of the dish.

No matter your choice, this easy crockpot chicken and dumplings will be the star of your dinner.

Easy Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

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