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Slow cooker chicken and dumplings up close in a white bowl with a silver spoon a cutting board with a plaid napkin

Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

This slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe is cozy, nourishing comfort food made completely from scratch. Tender chicken simmers in a creamy, flavorful broth and is finished with fluffy homemade dumplings—an easy, family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy days.
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Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:8 hours
Total Time:8 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Slow Cooker
Keyword: slow cooker chicken and dumplings
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

  • slow cooker

Ingredients

For the Chicken & Broth

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 tbsps butter
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • 2 celery stalks sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp sea salt plus more to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp dried parsley
  • 2 tbsps all-purpose flour

For the Dumplings

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsps butter melted
  • ½ cup whole milk

Instructions

  1. Add the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley to the slow cooker.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth and add the butter. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
  3. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
  4. Whisk the milk with the flour until smooth. Stir into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on HIGH for 15–20 minutes, until the broth thickens.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and milk just until combined.
  6. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough directly onto the hot stew.
  7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30–40 minutes, until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Chicken thighs provide the most tender result, but chicken breasts work well too.
  • Do not overmix the dumpling dough—this keeps them light and fluffy.
  • Keep the slow cooker lid closed while the dumplings cook so steam can help them rise.
  • This dish is even better the next day as leftovers.