ingredients needed for chicken and dumplings
To create a comforting and hearty Chicken and Dumplings dish in your crock pot, you’ll need a selection of simple, wholesome ingredients. These ingredients come together to create a flavorful base and tender dumplings that will satisfy any craving for a warm, home-cooked meal.
- Chicken: 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Thighs are recommended for their rich flavor and tenderness, but breasts work just as well.
- Vegetables: 2 cups of diced carrots, 2 cups of diced celery, and 1 medium onion, finely chopped. These add depth and sweetness to the broth.
- Chicken broth: 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth to create the base of the dish.
- Cream of chicken soup: 1 can (10.5 ounces) for a creamy, velvety texture.
- Seasonings: 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and salt to taste.
- Bay leaf: 1 bay leaf to infuse the broth with a subtle, aromatic flavor.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter for added richness.
- Flour: 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour to thicken the broth slightly.
- Milk: 1/2 cup of whole milk or heavy cream for extra creaminess.
- For the dumplings: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter (cubed), and 3/4 cup of whole milk.
With these ingredients on hand, you’re ready to move on to the next steps and bring this classic comfort food to life in your crock pot.
step-by-step crock pot instructions
To prepare this comforting Chicken and Dumplings dish in your crock pot, follow these simple steps to ensure a flavorful and satisfying meal:
- Step 1: Prepare the base. Place the chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of your crock pot. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion on top of the chicken. Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried parsley, black pepper, and a pinch of salt evenly over the vegetables and chicken.
- Step 2: Add the liquids. Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients in the crock pot. Add the can of cream of chicken soup, spreading it gently over the top. Toss in the bay leaf for added aroma and flavor.
- Step 3: Cook the chicken and vegetables. Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Step 4: Shred the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the crock pot and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir to combine with the vegetables and broth.
- Step 5: Thicken the broth. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and milk until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crock pot to slightly thicken the broth. Add the butter and stir until melted and incorporated.
- Step 6: Prepare the dumpling dough. In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually stir in the milk until a soft dough forms.
- Step 7: Add the dumplings. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough directly onto the surface of the simmering broth in the crock pot. Space them out slightly to allow room for expansion as they cook.
- Step 8: Cook the dumplings. Cover the crock pot and cook on high for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to ensure the dumplings steam properly.
Once the dumplings are fully cooked, your Chicken and Dumplings dish is ready to serve. The tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings come together to create a meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
tips for perfect dumplings every time
Creating the perfect dumplings for your Chicken and Dumplings dish requires a bit of attention to detail, but with these tips, you’ll achieve light, fluffy, and flavorful results every time:
- Use cold butter: When preparing the dumpling dough, ensure the butter is cold and cubed. This helps create a tender texture by forming small pockets of fat that melt during cooking, resulting in fluffy dumplings.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Once you add the milk to the dry ingredients, mix just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough dumplings instead of the light, airy texture you’re aiming for.
- Keep the lid on: When cooking the dumplings in the crock pot, resist the urge to lift the lid. The steam trapped inside is essential for cooking the dumplings evenly and ensuring they puff up properly.
- Space the dumplings: Drop the dough in evenly spaced spoonfuls to give each dumpling room to expand. Crowding them can result in uneven cooking and a gummy texture where they touch.
- Check for doneness: To ensure the dumplings are fully cooked, insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of one. If it comes out clean, the dumplings are ready. If not, give them a few more minutes to steam.
- Season the dough: For added flavor, consider mixing a pinch of dried herbs like parsley or thyme into the dumpling dough. This complements the savory broth and ties the dish together beautifully.
- Adjust the size: If you prefer smaller dumplings, use a teaspoon to drop the dough instead of a tablespoon. Smaller dumplings cook faster and are easier to portion out when serving.
- Test the broth consistency: Before adding the dumplings, ensure the broth is thickened to your liking. Dumplings absorb some liquid as they cook, so starting with a slightly thicker broth will maintain the dish’s creamy texture.
By following these tips, you’ll elevate your Chicken and Dumplings to a new level of comfort food perfection. The dumplings will be tender and flavorful, perfectly complementing the rich, savory broth and tender chicken.