Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, these provide the main protein for the dish.

Chicken broth: Adds depth and richness to the flavor of the dish.

Carrots: Sliced for a touch of sweetness and color.

Celery: Adds a subtle crunch and flavor.

Onion: Chopped to enhance the overall taste with its aromatic qualities.

Cream of chicken soup: A canned soup that adds creaminess and richness.

Pillsbury Grands biscuits: Pre-made biscuit dough that will form the dumplings.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth.

To ensure the chicken breasts are tender and flavorful, consider searing them in a hot pan with a bit of oil before placing them in the slow cooker. This step adds a depth of flavor and helps lock in the juices. Additionally, when adding the biscuit dough, make sure to stir gently to avoid breaking them apart, allowing them to cook evenly and maintain their shape.

• boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, making them a great alternative.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can provide a similar depth of flavor and is suitable for those avoiding meat.

• sliced carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar texture and sweetness, making them a good replacement.

• sliced celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel adds a slight anise flavor and similar crunch to the dish.

• chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.

• cream of chicken soup - Substitute with cream of mushroom soup: Cream of mushroom soup provides a similar creamy texture and depth of flavor.

• Pillsbury Grands biscuits - Substitute with homemade biscuit dough: Homemade biscuit dough can be tailored to your taste and texture preferences.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste.

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

• Allow the chicken and dumplings to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess.
• Transfer the cooled chicken and dumplings to an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to accommodate the dish without squishing the biscuits.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 3-4 days. This keeps the vegetables and chicken fresh.
• For longer storage, place the airtight container in the freezer. The chicken and dumplings can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the frozen chicken and dumplings in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the quality of the soup.
• Reheat the dish on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. You can also reheat in the microwave, but do so in short intervals to avoid overcooking the biscuits.
• If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to reach the desired consistency.

• Slow cooker: A countertop electrical appliance used to simmer food at a low temperature for several hours.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the volume of liquid or bulk solid cooking ingredients such as chicken broth.

• Knife: Essential for slicing the carrots, celery, and chopping the onion.

• Cutting board: A durable board on which to place the vegetables for cutting.

• Can opener: Used to open the can of cream of chicken soup and the can of Pillsbury Grands biscuits.

• Mixing spoon: Used to stir the ingredients together in the slow cooker.

• Forks: Used to shred the cooked chicken breasts.

• Timer: Useful for keeping track of the cooking time, both for the initial 4 hours and the additional 30 minutes.

• Serving spoon: Used to serve the finished chicken and dumplings.

Pre-cut vegetables: Use pre-sliced carrots, celery, and onions to save prep time.

Use rotisserie chicken: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to skip the shredding step.

Instant biscuits: Opt for pre-made biscuit dough to eliminate the need for cutting and shaping.

Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.

Slow cooker liners: Use slow cooker liners for easy cleanup, saving you time on washing up.