This crockpot chicken and dumplings is one of my favorite effortless meals. It requires minimal prep, is mostly hands-off, and utilizes refrigerated biscuits to make things super easy. I made this comforting stew with juicy chicken thighs, dried herbs, and cream of chicken soup to make it extra rich and creamy. There’s nothing quite like it!
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Chicken and dumplings is such a hearty and comforting meal, and I made it even easier by cooking it in my slow cooker! This delicious stew is full of rich flavors and so creamy. Topped with store-bought biscuit dough, it always makes dinnertime a breeze!
What’s in This Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe?
- Chicken: Use chicken thighs rather than breasts for this recipe. They stay perfectly tender and are less likely to dry out.
- Bay Leaf: Adds an herbal flavor that lightens up this heavy stew.
- Dried Herbs: Parsley, rosemary, and thyme deepen the flavor of the stew.
- Garlic Powder: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the stew, creating a salty, umami base.
- Carrot: Adds a hint of sweetness and a pop of color.
- Onion: Enhances the earthiness and sweetness of the soup.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Makes this dish extra creamy and thick!
- Frozen Peas: Add a pop of color and sweetness.
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: Makes this recipe super easy! But you could use homemade biscuit dough if you prefer.
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Tips for Success
- If your soup isn’t thickening, you may have added too much chicken broth. You can thicken it back up by cooking down the mixture on high for a bit.
- I used cream of chicken soup to thicken this stew, but you can also add a roux made from 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour cooked until foaming, or stir in a slurry made from 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water.
- It’s important to neither under nor overcook the dumplings. Undercooked dumplings will be raw in the middle and dense, while overcooked dumplings will begin to disintegrate. Make sure to keep the lid on tight to seal in the steam so that the dumplings have a chance to cook fully through.
- Your dumplings are done when they are light, fluffy, and slightly firm. You can insert a toothpick into the center of one, and it should come out clean. The dumplings should be soft, but they should not taste doughy.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer (minus the dumplings!) for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before placing in the slow cooker, adding the dumplings, and cooking through.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker chicken and dumplings is perfect to serve by itself for a hearty winter dinner. It’s also great with some crusty bread or my favorite veggie sides like asparagus or green beans.
5-Star Review
“This is soooooo good!!! I’ve tried so many crock pot recipes lately and they’ve all been underwhelming. This is the best one I’ve found! I’m a little worried when I reheat the leftovers the dumplings won’t be as good but it’s so flavorful and I’m going to make this over and over again. I can’t wait to try the other recipes on this page!” -Julianna
Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 5-6 thighs)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 carrot peeled and sliced
- 1 onion chopped
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 16.3 ounces refrigerated biscuit dough (8 large biscuits)
- Chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Shake salt and pepper over both sides of the chicken thighs and arrange in the bottom of the crockpot.1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add in bay leaf, parsley, rosemary, thyme and garlic powder.1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pour in chicken broth, carrot, onion, and cream of chicken soup. Gently stir the top to incorporate the ingredients without disturbing the chicken. It doesn’t have to be completely mixed together.1¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- Cover crockpot with the lid and cook in the crockpot on high for 3-4 hours or until the chicken is easy to shred and reaches the internal temperature of 165°F.
- Add the frozen peas. You can shred the chicken if you desire. Stir well to combine.½ cup frozen peas
- Open a can of biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into fourths. Roll each biscuit into a round ball. Arrange the biscuit pieces on top of everything else in the crockpot.16.3 ounces refrigerated biscuit dough
- Replace the lid, turn the crockpot to high, and cook the biscuits until done, about 1 to 2 hours depending on your crockpot. Don’t lift the lid to check on them, if possible. If you have a glass lid, you can peek through the glass. The biscuits should take on a matte look when they are finished. Cut into one biscuit to make sure it’s cooked through.
- When the biscuits are done, adjust seasonings to taste and serve.Chopped fresh parsley
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Nutrition Information
How to Make Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Step by Step
Season the Chicken: Shake ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper over both sides of 1½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and arrange in the bottom of the crockpot.
Fill the Crockpot: Add in 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, ½ teaspoon of dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon of dried thyme, and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Pour in 1¾ cups of chicken broth, 1 peeled and sliced carrot, 1 chopped onion, and 10.5 ounces (1 can) of cream of chicken soup. Gently stir the top to incorporate the ingredients without disturbing the chicken. It doesn’t have to be completely mixed together.
Cook the Chicken: Cover crockpot with the lid and cook in the crockpot on high for 3-4 hours or until the chicken is easy to shred and reaches the internal temperature of 165°F.
Add the Peas and Dumplings: Add ½ cup of frozen peas. You can shred the chicken if you desire. Stir well to combine. Open a 16.3-ounce can of biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into fourths. Roll each biscuit into a round ball. Arrange the biscuit pieces on top of everything else in the crockpot.
Cook the Dumplings: Replace the lid, turn the crockpot to high, and cook the biscuits until done, about 1 to 2 hours depending on your crockpot. Don’t lift the lid to check on them, if possible. If you have a glass lid, you can peek through the glass. The biscuits should take on a matte look when they are finished. Cut into one biscuit to make sure it’s cooked through. When the biscuits are done, adjust seasonings to taste and serve.
Can you use frozen chicken thighs or should you defrost before cooking?
You can cook from frozen, but it will need additional time to get to 165°F!
Just tried this recipe and all I can say is yum yum!!!
I did add some extra vegetables (potato, corn & cabbage) because I always do but next time will probably drop the cabbage and also had to thicken it slightly. Also made my own dumplings because living in regional Australia I found it difficult to find biscuit dough in our local stores. Will definitely be making it again so quick & easy to make then set & forget.
Was very good!!! Everyone enjoyed it!
I would use boneless skinless chicken breast next time for sure! Cube them up. I also added 1/4 cornstarch with 1/4 water and whisked then added to thicken it up! Going to try two cups chicken broth and 2 cans soup to make more liquid to it!
Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you, Stacey!
I thought it was delicious! You should’ve added a bit more broth… Sometimes depending on the heat you cook it on, you lose some of the liquid.
Does this recipe freeze and reheat well? Trying to make some meals to keep in the freezer for any unexpected sick days.
Yes!
Can’t wait to have this for dinner on the snow day! Just put the biscuits in and I feel like it should be creamer. Hopefully it doesn’t matter!
Hi, Justine! The soup itself is not super creamy like pot-pie filling. It is creamier than your standard broth-based soup, though! I hope you love it!
We loved it!!!
I made this and it was delicious – my family loved it. One important adjustment – after reading the comments I was worried about how many dumpling/biscuits to add. I have a “regular” sized crockpot and after putting in 5 biscuits (out of the 8 pack) I noticed they were getting a little crowded. I only added 5, cooked the other 3 in the oven as normal biscuits, and it turned out perfectly. They had room to cook and they were fully cooked after 1.5/2hrs. Anyone concerned might want to reduce the amount of biscuits unless you have a very large crockpot.
Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you, Theresa!
All recipes should be written out with the amounts listed in the steps. Just makes sense!
Sure does! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I made this today, the soup itself was very flavorful, but I cooked this all day, for a total of almost 7 hours on high, dumplings for 3 and they were still uncooked. I had to pull out my instant pot to save dinner and everyone was waiting and frustrated. This needs to be altered to put biscuits in much earlier in the cooking process
We’re sorry this recipe didn’t work out as planned, Ashley!
I’m with you on this. I followed the recipe exactly and after cooking the biscuits for nearly 3 hours on high, it was still soggy and raw. Thank goodness I had leftovers do serve my daughter for dinner.
Two questions: how long would I cook on low? And how many chicken breast if I decide to use them?
Cook on low for 5-6 hours! We recommend using the same amount of chicken breasts, so 1½ pounds (number of chicken breasts varies based on size).
So if cooking on low, 5-6 hours before the biscuits are added? Then would you jump to high once the biscuits go in?
Yes!