Tillie Doyle
Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food that can be made in a crock pot. The dish consists of chicken, a thick broth, and dumplings made from biscuit dough. The recipe is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. First, the chicken is cooked in the crock pot with seasonings and broth. Then, the dumplings are added and cooked through. This recipe is perfect for a chilly evening or as a comforting meal any time of the year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Comfort food, soup |
| Ingredients | Chicken, dumplings, vegetables, broth, cream of chicken, butter, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, poultry seasoning, rosemary, paprika, cumin, tarragon, cornstarch, water, flour, condensed soup, chicken stock, canned biscuits, biscuit dough, broth |
| Equipment | 5-6 QT crock pot, slow cooker |
| Recipe yield | Serves 2 people (half recipe), likely serves 4-6 people |
| Storage | Can be frozen for up to three months or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days |
| Preparation time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking time | 4-6 hours on low heat or 1-1.5 hours on high heat |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Chicken preparation
Chicken and dumplings is a comforting meal that can be made in a crock pot. It is a simple recipe that requires minimal preparation and can be left to cook throughout the day. The recipe can be adapted to personal preference, but the core ingredients are chicken, a thick broth, and dumplings.
Firstly, select your chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice as they are easy to cook and become tender and juicy in the crock pot. However, you can use any chicken you prefer, including chicken thighs or tenderloins.
Next, season the chicken. This can be as simple as sprinkling the chicken with salt and black pepper, or you can add additional spices such as oregano, garlic powder, rosemary, paprika, or tarragon. You can also add garlic directly to the chicken or include it with the vegetables later in the cooking process to avoid burning.
Once seasoned, place the chicken in the crock pot. If using a 6-quart crock pot, you can add onion to the bottom of the pot and layer the chicken on top. You can also add butter at this stage for added richness and creaminess.
After the chicken is in the crock pot, pour the broth over it. You can use chicken broth or stock, or a combination of both. If using a 5-6 quart crock pot, you will need 32 ounces of liquid.
Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked through. You can also cook on high heat for a shorter period, but this requires more monitoring to avoid overcooking.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and cut it into bite-sized pieces or shred it using two forks. Then, return the chicken to the crock pot and stir to combine.
At this stage, you can add vegetables if desired. Frozen vegetables are a convenient option, and options include peas, carrots, celery, and green beans. Fresh garlic can also be added at this point to avoid burning.
Finally, prepare the dumplings and add them to the crock pot.
Aluminum Pans: Safe for Food Storage?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dumpling preparation
Dumplings can be made from scratch or with pre-made biscuit dough. If you are making dumplings from scratch, you will need to prepare a dough. A simple dough can be made by whisking together cream of chicken soup, onion powder, garlic powder, melted butter, and chicken broth. You can also add flour to the dough to thicken it. Alternatively, you can use pre-made biscuit dough, either refrigerated or canned. If using canned biscuits, it is recommended to roll them out extra thin as they will puff up during cooking.
Once you have your dough, you can begin forming the dumplings. Separate the dough into small pieces, about 8 bite-sized pieces per biscuit. You can use your hands to form the dough into small balls or roll out the dough and cut it into strips. If you are using pre-made biscuit dough, you may need to flatten each biscuit with your palm before cutting it into pieces.
After your dumplings are formed, they can be added to the crock pot. Depending on the size of your slow cooker, you may need to cook the dumplings in batches or cook some on the stovetop or in the oven. Place the dumplings on top of the chicken and vegetables in the crock pot. Cover and cook on high heat for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
If you are using pre-made dumplings or frozen dumplings, the preparation method will be slightly different. Pre-made or frozen dumplings should be thawed before adding them to the crock pot. You can thaw them by placing them in warm water or in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, add them to the crock pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Baking Buffalo Chicken Dip: Pan or No Pan?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vegetables and spices
Vegetables are a great addition to chicken and dumplings, adding colour, flavour, and extra nutrients. The best vegetables to use are those that are frozen, as they are effortless and won't get overcooked. Fresh vegetables can be used, but they must be completely defrosted before adding to the crockpot.
Classic chicken soup vegetables like carrots, celery, and peas are a great choice. You can also add onion, but this should be added at the beginning with the chicken, rather than later with the other vegetables, to avoid it burning during the long cook time. Garlic can also be added, but again, it is best to add it towards the end of cooking to avoid burning.
If you want to add some extra vegetables, frozen veggies like broccoli, green beans, and carrots are a great choice.
When it comes to spices, the most important thing is to season the chicken generously. Salt and pepper are a must, and other spices like oregano, rosemary, tarragon, cumin, poultry seasoning, all-purpose seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder can also be added according to your taste preferences.
Repairing Cisterns: Fixing the Cistern-Pan Connection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking times and temperatures
Chicken and dumplings is a comforting meal that can be cooked in a crock pot. The cooking time and temperature depend on the specific crock pot being used, the ingredients being cooked, and personal preferences. Here is a guide to help you navigate the cooking times and temperatures for chicken and dumplings in a crock pot:
Cooking the Chicken:
Firstly, prepare your crock pot by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. Then, add your choice of vegetables, such as onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. These vegetables provide a classic chicken soup flavor. You can also add spices and seasonings like salt and pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Layer the chicken breasts on top of the vegetables. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice as they get tender and juicy in the crock pot.
Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for about 4-6 hours. The chicken is fully cooked when it can be easily shredded with a fork. If you prefer to use frozen chicken breasts, increase the cooking time by about an hour.
Cooking the Dumplings:
Once the chicken is cooked, it's time to add the dumplings. You can use canned biscuits, refrigerated biscuit dough, or make your own homemade dumplings. If using canned or refrigerated biscuits, flatten them with your palm and cut them into strips or bite-sized pieces. If making homemade dumplings, roll the dough out extra thin as it will puff up during cooking.
Place the dumplings on top of the chicken mixture in the crock pot. Cover and cook on high heat for about 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the dumplings are cooked through. The dumplings are done when they are no longer doughy and are cooked in the center.
Combining the Ingredients:
After the chicken and dumplings are cooked, you can combine them to create a delicious meal. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the crock pot. Add your preferred vegetables, such as frozen peas or steamed broccoli. You can also include butter or condensed soup, such as cream of chicken soup, to add richness and creaminess to the dish.
Stir all the ingredients together and continue cooking for about 30 minutes to an hour, until everything is heated through and combined.
Tips for Optimal Cooking:
- It is important to minimize the amount of time the lid is left off the crock pot, as this increases the cooking time significantly.
- If using dairy products like cream or milk, be cautious as they can separate or curdle in the crock pot.
- For a thicker sauce, create a slurry by whisking cornstarch with water and adding it to the crock pot.
- If you want to double the recipe, cook the chicken portion in batches, and consider cooking the additional dumplings on the stovetop or in the oven.
- This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your chicken and dumplings are cooked to perfection in your crock pot, resulting in a comforting and flavorful meal.
Stove-top Cooking: Aluminum Pans, Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storage and reheating
Chicken and dumplings are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, use a Dutch oven and warm the dish over medium-low heat on a stovetop.
You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to three months. It is recommended to thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the refrigerator before reheating them.
It is important to note that the dumplings are best enjoyed fresh, so they may not have the same texture or taste when reheated after being frozen or stored in the refrigerator.
Spotting the Perfect Car: Panning Tips for Beginners
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It takes around 5-6 hours to cook chicken and dumplings in a crock pot.
You will need chicken, butter, cream of chicken soup, onion, celery, chicken broth, and biscuits.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the easiest to cook and will become tender and juicy in the crock pot.
