Best Ever Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Creamy • Comforting • Slow-Cooked Perfection
This beloved dump-and-go crock pot recipe makes tender shredded chicken simmered in a rich, flavorful creamy broth with soft, pillowy dumplings made from refrigerated biscuits. It’s warm, cozy, and tastes like pure comfort — perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Base
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
To Make it Creamy
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Dumplings
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands)
- Extra parsley for serving (optional)
Directions — Full, Detailed, Step-By-Step
1 Layer Ingredients in the Crock Pot
Add the following to your slow cooker:
- Chicken breasts
- Chopped onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
Sprinkle over all seasoning: poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Pour 4 cups chicken broth over everything.
Do not stir.
This helps the chicken cook evenly and stay tender.
2 Slow Cook
Cook on:
- Low for 6–7 hours
or - High for 3–4 hours
Chicken should be tender and ready to shred.
3 Shred the Chicken
Remove chicken breasts and shred them with two forks.
Return shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir well.
4 Add Creaminess
Stir in:
- Cream of chicken soup
- Heavy cream
- Butter
Mix until everything blends into a thick, creamy chicken mixture.
Let it cook another 10–15 minutes so the flavors melt together.
5 Add the Dumplings
Open your biscuit can.
Cut each biscuit into 4–6 small pieces (around dumpling size).
Drop the biscuit pieces into the crock pot one at a time, stirring gently so they don’t clump.
Tip: Keep dumplings on the top half of the mixture so they steam instead of sinking too deep.
6 Finish Cooking
Cook on High for 1–1½ hours, or until the biscuit dumplings are:
puffed
cooked through
no longer doughy in the center
Stir occasionally so everything cooks evenly.
Serve
Dish into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley.
Serve warm and creamy — the dumplings should be tender and fluffy!
What to Serve With It
- Buttery corn
- Simple green salad
- Southern-style green beans
- Fresh biscuits on the side
- Roasted vegetables
Tips for Perfect Chicken & Dumplings
- Cut biscuits small so they cook through and don’t get gummy.
- Thighs stay juicier than breasts if you prefer dark meat.
- Add peas or corn in the last 20 minutes for extra color.
- If sauce is too thin → stir in a slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water).
- If too thick → add a splash of chicken broth.
Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 6–7 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Total: 7–8 hours slow-cooked perfection
Calories
Approx. 450–550 kcal per serving (varies by biscuit and cream brand).