Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken broth: This forms the base of the dish, providing a rich and savory flavor.

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, these are cut into chunks for easy cooking and eating.

Carrots: Chopped into bite-sized pieces, they add sweetness and color.

Celery: Adds a subtle crunch and flavor to the dish.

Onion: Chopped to enhance the overall flavor profile.

Dried thyme: A herb that adds a warm, earthy flavor.

Dried rosemary: Provides a slightly piney and aromatic note.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth.

All-purpose flour: Used to make the dumplings, providing structure and texture.

Baking powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become fluffy.

Milk: Adds moisture to the dumpling batter.

Melted butter: Adds richness and flavor to the dumplings.

When preparing the dumplings for this slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe, be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in dense and tough dumplings. Instead, stir the milk and melted butter into the flour mixture until just combined, leaving some lumps in the batter. This will ensure that your dumplings are light and fluffy.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Provides a similar base flavor while keeping the dish vegetarian.

• boneless skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs: Thighs are juicier and more flavorful.

• chopped carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Adds a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor.

• chopped celery - Substitute with fennel: Provides a similar crunch with a mild anise flavor.

• chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Adds a more delicate and sweet flavor.

• dried thyme - Substitute with dried oregano: Offers a different but complementary herbal note.

• dried rosemary - Substitute with dried sage: Adds a warm, earthy flavor that pairs well with poultry.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Adds saltiness along with umami depth.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: Provides a similar heat with a slightly different flavor profile.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Adds a nuttier flavor and more fiber.

• baking powder - Substitute with baking soda and cream of tartar: Use ¼ teaspoon baking soda and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar for each teaspoon of baking powder.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Keeps the dish dairy-free while providing a similar texture.

• melted butter - Substitute with olive oil: Adds a different but pleasant flavor and keeps the dish dairy-free.

• Allow the chicken and dumplings to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.

• Transfer the chicken mixture and dumplings to an airtight container. If you have a large batch, consider using multiple containers to avoid overfilling.

• For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The chicken and dumplings will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

• For long-term storage, use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label them with the date to keep track of freshness.

• When freezing, leave a little space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion as the broth freezes.

• To reheat from the refrigerator, transfer the desired portion to a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, you can reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring gently to avoid breaking up the dumplings.

• To reheat from frozen, it's best to thaw the chicken and dumplings in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, follow the same reheating instructions as above.

• If you're in a hurry, you can reheat from frozen by placing the chicken and dumplings in a covered saucepan with a splash of chicken broth or water. Heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fully warmed.

• Avoid reheating multiple times, as this can affect the texture and flavor of the chicken and dumplings. Only reheat the portion you plan to eat.

• For best results, consume frozen chicken and dumplings within 2-3 months to ensure optimal taste and texture.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the leftover chicken and dumplings in an oven-safe dish. Cover with foil and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. This method helps maintain the texture of the dumplings.

• For a quicker option, use the microwave. Transfer a portion of the chicken and dumplings to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

• If you prefer stovetop reheating, pour the leftovers into a saucepan. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent sticking. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. This method helps retain the moisture and flavor of the chicken and vegetables.

• For those with an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F. Place the chicken and dumplings in an air fryer-safe dish. Heat for about 10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even reheating. This method can give the dumplings a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.

• If you have a slow cooker, you can reheat the leftovers by placing them back in the slow cooker. Set it to low and heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This method is great for maintaining the original texture and flavor of the dish.

• Slow cooker: A countertop electrical cooking appliance used to simmer at a lower temperature than other cooking methods, allowing for unattended cooking for many hours.

• Cutting board: A durable board on which to place material for cutting. Essential for chopping vegetables and chicken.

• Chef's knife: A multi-purpose knife designed to perform well at many differing kitchen tasks, such as slicing, chopping, and mincing.

• Measuring cups: Tools used to measure the volume of liquid or bulk solid cooking ingredients such as flour and sugar.

• Measuring spoons: Utensils used to measure an amount of an ingredient, either liquid or dry, when cooking.

• Mixing bowl: A deep bowl that is particularly well-suited for mixing ingredients together.

• Wooden spoon: A utensil used for stirring ingredients together, especially useful for mixing the dumpling batter.

• Ladle: A large long-handled spoon with a cup-shaped bowl, used for serving soup, stew, or other liquids.

• Tongs: A tool used to grip and lift objects, in this case, to handle the chicken chunks if needed.

• Spatula: A broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread, and lift material including foods.

• Measuring jug: A container used to measure liquid ingredients accurately.

• Peeler: A tool used to remove the outer skin or peel of certain vegetables, such as carrots.

• Can opener: A device used to open metal cans, useful if your chicken broth is canned.

• Timer: A device that measures and records the amount of time taken for the cooking process.

Pre-cut vegetables: Use pre-chopped carrots, celery, and onions from the store to save prep time.

Rotisserie chicken: Substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts with shredded rotisserie chicken to reduce cooking time.

Pre-made broth: Opt for store-bought chicken broth instead of making your own.

Quick dumplings: Use biscuit dough from a can instead of making dumplings from scratch.

High setting: Cook on high for 3-4 hours instead of low for 7-8 hours to cut down on cooking time.