Cozy & Convenient: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings with Refrigerator Biscuits
There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of Chicken and Dumplings to evoke feelings of comfort and home. This classic dish, known for its tender chicken, flavorful gravy, and pillowy dumplings, is a beloved staple in many households. But what if we told you that achieving this soul-satisfying meal could be incredibly simple, requiring minimal effort and no heating up your kitchen for hours? Enter the magic of the slow cooker!
This particular recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings takes the traditional concept and streamlines it beautifully. Chicken and a medley of vegetables are slow-cooked all day, allowing their flavors to meld into a rich, savory gravy. The brilliant shortcut? Refrigerator biscuits transform into fluffy, delicious dumplings right in your slow cooker just before serving. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you crave a comforting, homemade meal without the fuss.
The Undeniable Charm of Slow Cooking: Making Life Easy
Whether you affectionately call it a Crock Pot or a Slow Cooker, this handy little appliance is synonymous with making life easier in the kitchen. For many, slow cookers are reserved for the colder months, churning out robust winter meals, thick soups, and hearty stews. While it excels at these, its utility extends far beyond. We often find ourselves reaching for our slow cooker even in the heat of summer, and here’s why:
- Hands-Off Cooking: The ultimate convenience. Simply combine your ingredients, set it, and forget it. Your meal cooks slowly throughout the day, requiring minimal supervision.
- Flavor Development: Low and slow cooking allows flavors to deepen and meld in a way that simply can’t be rushed. Meats become incredibly tender, and sauces develop a richness that is hard to achieve with other methods.
- Keep Your Kitchen Cool: On those scorching summer days, the last thing you want is to turn on your oven or stovetop and heat up your entire house. The slow cooker generates very little ambient heat, keeping your kitchen comfortable.
- Cost-Effective: Slow cooking often allows you to use more economical cuts of meat, which become fork-tender and delicious over several hours.
- Meal Prep Dream: Prepare ingredients the night before, load your slow cooker in the morning, and come home to a delicious, ready-to-eat dinner.
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe perfectly encapsulates these benefits, proving that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated or confined to a specific season.
A Family Favorite, Simplified
My family, like many others, absolutely adores Chicken and Dumplings. The traditional “from scratch” version, while incredibly rewarding, can be quite time-consuming, especially when it comes to preparing homemade dumplings. That’s why I was thrilled to discover and adapt this particular slow cooker recipe from Pinterest. It offers all the comforting flavors and textures of the classic dish, but with significantly less effort, making it a fantastic easy alternative for busy days.
The genius of this recipe lies in its use of refrigerator biscuits for the dumplings. These convenient biscuits are added to the slow cooker a short while before eating, where they puff up and cook directly in the savory gravy, absorbing all the wonderful flavors and achieving that quintessential soft, tender dumpling texture. It’s a game-changer for anyone who loves the taste of homemade but appreciates a good culinary shortcut.
This recipe transforms readily available ingredients into a wholesome, flavorful meal that the whole family will adore. It’s the perfect blend of convenience and classic comfort, proving that delicious meals don’t always require hours in the kitchen.
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Print Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts can be frozen – cut into thirds
- 1 1 pound package frozen peas and carrots
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 1/2 Tbsp herbed poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 32 ounce chicken stock
- 1 tube Grands biscuits cut into quarters
Instructions
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Place chicken pieces in the bottom of the crock pot. Pour frozen veggies and onions over the top.
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Sprinkle with flour and seasonings. Pour chicken stock over the top.
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Cook for 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high. Open the lid and stir, add quartered biscuits to the top, cover and cook on low for 2 hours or on high for 1 hour more.
Nutrition
Tips for Success & Customization
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few tips can elevate your Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings to new heights:
- Chicken Choice: Chicken breasts are specified, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs would also work wonderfully, providing even richer flavor and moisture. You can use fresh or frozen chicken, as the recipe notes, but cutting frozen chicken into thirds helps it cook more evenly.
- Thickening the Gravy: The flour is essential for creating a thick, luxurious gravy. If you find your gravy isn’t as thick as you’d like after cooking, you can remove a cup or two of the liquid, whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a little cold water (a slurry), then return it to the slow cooker and stir until thickened.
- Biscuit Brands: “Grands biscuits” are recommended, which are typically large and flaky. Different brands or types of refrigerated biscuits (e.g., buttermilk, homestyle) will work, but may vary slightly in texture and how much they puff up. Experiment to find your favorite!
- Don’t Peek Too Much: When the dumplings are cooking, resist the urge to lift the lid too often. Each time you open it, heat escapes, and it can prolong the cooking time for the biscuits.
Enhance the Flavor Profile
This recipe provides a fantastic base, but don’t hesitate to make it your own with these simple enhancements:
- Extra Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables during the last hour of cooking, such as corn, green beans, or sliced mushrooms. For heartier root vegetables like potatoes or carrots (if not using the frozen mix), add them at the beginning with the chicken.
- Creaminess: For an even creamier gravy, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a can of cream of chicken soup (diluted with a little milk or water) during the last hour of cooking, before adding the biscuits.
- Herbaceous Boost: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving adds a wonderful fresh flavor and a pop of color.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings.
Serving Suggestions for Your Ultimate Comfort Meal
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings is a complete meal in itself, offering protein, vegetables, and a starchy component. However, if you’re looking to round out your dinner, here are a few ideas:
- Green Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and hearty main dish.
- Crusty Bread: While you have dumplings, a side of crusty bread is always welcome for soaking up any extra gravy.
- Roasted Vegetables: If you want more vegetables, consider a quick side of roasted broccoli or asparagus.
This recipe is designed for maximum convenience and flavor, allowing you to create a memorable family meal with minimal fuss. Imagine walking into your home at the end of a long day, greeted by the enticing aroma of tender chicken simmering in a savory gravy, knowing that a satisfying dinner is just an hour away. That’s the true beauty of Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings.
This easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings recipe, adapted from eatingonadime.com, is sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe collection. Enjoy the warmth and comfort it brings to your table!
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