Slow Cooker chicken and dumplings

For the Biscuits:

• 2 cups flour: The base of the dumplings, giving them a light, fluffy texture.
• 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become tender.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor of the dumplings.
• 1 cup milk (can be substituted with water): Provides moisture, bringing the dough together.

(Alternatively, you can use canned biscuit dough for an even quicker preparation.)
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Chicken and Dumplings
Let’s dive into the process of creating this delicious, soul-warming dish.
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

• Start with the chicken and butter: Place the chicken breasts and sliced butter into your 6-quart slow cooker. The butter will melt and infuse the chicken with rich flavor as it cooks.
• Add the soup ingredients: Toss in the chopped onion, frozen peas, grated carrot, and chopped parsley. Pour in the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a good mix to combine the ingredients well.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken

• Set and forget: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 7 hours. During this time, the chicken will become tender, and the flavors will meld together, creating a rich, savory broth.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

• Shred the chicken: After 7 hours, use two forks to shred the chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker. The chicken should be tender enough to pull apart easily, blending beautifully with the creamy soup.

Step 4: Add the Dumplings

• Prepare the biscuit batter: If you’re making homemade dumplings, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add the warm milk (or water) until the mixture reaches a doughy consistency that can be dropped with a spoon.
• Drop the dough into the soup: Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit batter directly into the soup. If using canned biscuit dough, cut the dough into smaller pieces and drop them into the soup.

Step 5: Cook the Dumplings

• Cook on HIGH: Tilt the slow cooker lid slightly so it’s not fully closed, allowing some steam to escape. Set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Dish it out: Once the dumplings are fully cooked, give the soup a final stir. Ladle the Chicken and Dumplings into bowls, making sure each serving has plenty of tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and creamy broth.

Variations & Tips: Make It Your Own
This recipe is wonderfully flexible, allowing you to customize it to suit your tastes and preferences:
Quick and Easy

• Use canned biscuit dough: For an even quicker preparation, use canned biscuit dough instead of making your own dumplings. It’s a convenient option that still delivers delicious results.

Vegetable Variations

• Add more veggies: Feel free to toss in additional vegetables like diced potatoes, corn, or green beans. These will add extra flavor, texture, and nutrition to the dish.

Herbal Twist

• Experiment with herbs: While parsley is classic, you can also try adding other herbs like thyme or rosemary for a different flavor profile. Fresh or dried herbs both work well.

Richer Broth

• Swap out the broth: For an even richer flavor, you can substitute some of the chicken broth with a splash of cream or milk, giving the soup an even creamier consistency.

Serving Suggestions: Perfect Pairings
This Chicken and Dumplings dish is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round out your dinner, here are some pairing ideas:
Crusty Bread

• Perfect for dipping: A slice of crusty bread or a warm buttered roll is perfect for sopping up the creamy broth. It’s the ideal companion to this dish.

Green Salad

• Light and fresh: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can be a great way to balance the richness of the soup, adding a refreshing contrast to the meal.

Roasted Vegetables

• Add variety: Serve the soup alongside roasted vegetables for a bit of extra flavor and texture. The caramelized veggies complement the creamy soup beautifully.

Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a modern take on a classic comfort food that has been bringing families together for generations. With its rich, creamy broth, tender chicken, and fluffy dumplings, it’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out. And thanks to the convenience of the slow cooker, you can enjoy all these comforting flavors with minimal effort.

So, whether you’re reminiscing about the good old days or simply looking for a hearty meal to enjoy on a chilly evening, this dish is sure to hit the spot. Gather your ingredients, fire up your slow cooker, and get ready to savor a bowl of pure comfort. Happy cooking!

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