Name: crockpot chicken and dumplings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 465 min
Total time: 480 min
Ingredients: For the Stew:; 1½ lbs chicken; Onion (carrots, celery); 6 cups broth; Herbs (cream); For the Dumplings:; 1½ cups flour; ¾ cup buttermilk; Baking powder (egg)

Introduction

Best Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings is a creamy, pillowy comfort classic, perfect for chilly evenings, busy weeknights, or soul-soothing Sundays. This slow-cooker recipe, featuring tender chicken in a velvety broth topped with fluffy drop dumplings, delivers grandma-quality results with a rich, savory depth. Presented in a deep rustic bowl, optionally garnished with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper, this Best Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings recipe offers a charming, appetizing aesthetic that elevates any gathering. This recipe offers a simple dump-and-drop method using pantry staples, adaptable to dietary preferences, and ideal for home cooks seeking a go-to stew that brings heartwarming, crowd-pleasing charm to any occasion.

Why you’ll love this recipe

15-minute prep: Dump chicken, set timer, and drop dumplings later.
Hands-off magic: Crockpot tenderizes while you live life.
Freezer-friendly: Double batch; freeze for instant hugs.
Dumpling timing trick: Add batter last 45 minutes—never gummy.
Rotisserie shortcut: 3 cups of shredded chicken cuts time in half.

Ingredients

Stew Base

1½ lbs (680 g) boneless chicken thighs or breasts
1 medium onion, diced
3 medium carrots, sliced (1½ cups)
3 celery stalks, sliced (1½ cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp poultry seasoning
2 bay leaves
1 tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half (add later)

Drop Dumplings

1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp fine sea salt
¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

Finish

¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Extra black pepper

Essential Tools and Equipment

6-quart slow cooker
Medium mixing bowl
Whisk
2-tbsp cookie scoop (for dumplings)
Ladle

Step-by-step process

Layer crockpot: Add chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, broth, thyme, poultry seasoning, bay leaves, salt, pepper.
Set timer: Cover; cook on LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours until chicken shreds easily.
Shred chicken: Remove chicken; shred with two forks. Return to the pot. Discard bay leaves. Stir in cream.
Make dumplings: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, melted butter, and egg. Combine wet into dry—just until shaggy (don’t overmix).
Drop dumplings: Scoop 2-tbsp mounds onto simmering stew. Cover; cook on HIGH 45–60 minutes until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through (toothpick clean).
Finish: Gently stir in parsley. Taste; adjust salt/pepper.
Serve hot: Ladle into bowls; top with extra parsley.

Mistakes to avoid

Early dumplings: Sink and dissolve—wait until the last hour.
Low cream: Skimpy sauce—1 cup minimum.
Overmix batter: Dense dumplings—stir minimally.
Cold cream: Curdles—room temp or warm in pot first.
No HIGH finish: Raw centers—switch to HIGH for dumplings.

Variations of the Best Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Rotisserie Hack: 3 cups shredded rotisserie; reduce cook to 4 hours LOW.
Veggie Boost: Add peas, corn, or mushrooms with cream.
Gluten-Free: GF flour + ½ tsp xanthan gum; GF baking powder.
Herb Dumplings: Add 1 tbsp chives or dill to batter.
Spicy Twist: ½ tsp cayenne in stew base.

Tips for better storage

Refrigerator: Cool completely; airtight up to 4 days. Store dumplings separately if possible.
Freezer: Omit dumplings; freeze stew up to 3 months. Add fresh dumplings when reheating.
Reheating: Stovetop low with ¼ cup broth, or crockpot LOW 1 hour.
Meal prep: Portion in 16-oz jars; reheat with a splash of water.
Revive creaminess: Stir in 1 tbsp butter post-reheat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frozen chicken? Yes—add 1 hour on HIGH first.
No buttermilk? Milk + 1 tsp vinegar; sit 5 minutes.
Make it faster? HIGH 3–4 hours; dumplings last 45 minutes.
Double batch? 8-quart crockpot; same ratios.
Too thick? Add ½ cup broth post-dumplings.

Conclusion

Best Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings is comfort food royalty—each fluffy dumpling a cloud in a sea of creamy, chicken-kissed broth. One slow cooker turns basic ingredients into a pot of pure hygge that feeds a family or stocks your freezer for stormy nights. Keep chicken and broth in the pantry, and a soul-warming dinner is 15 minutes of prep away. Whether you’re nursing a cold, feeding a crowd, or craving nostalgia without the effort, this dish delivers warmth and wonder in every steamy spoonful. One bite, endless coziness, and the quiet joy of a classic made effortless.