Description

This Chicken and Dumplings Crock Pot Comfort Stew is a deeply satisfying and incredibly easy meal perfect for busy families. It’s a hearty, budget-friendly dish that cooks itself in a slow cooker, filling your kitchen with an incredible aroma.

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)
1 cup chopped celery (about 3 stalks)
1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 medium)
1 Tbsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 (16.3 oz) can refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into quarters

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Instructions

Prep Ingredients: Chop your carrots, celery, and onion into uniform pieces. Trim any excess fat from the chicken.
Combine Ingredients: Place the trimmed chicken, chopped vegetables, chicken broth, poultry seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper into a 6-quart Crock Pot. Stir gently to combine everything (the liquid should nearly cover the ingredients).
Cook Stew: Cover the Crock Pot with the lid. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours until the chicken is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft.
Shred Chicken: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. Shred it using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the stew.
Add Dumplings: Increase the Crock Pot setting to HIGH if it isn’t already. Drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough (or homemade dumpling batter) directly onto the hot stew, leaving small gaps. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until the dumplings are puffed up, soft to the touch, and cooked through (they’ll feel springy).
Serve Stew: Stir the stew gently. If desired, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream for extra richness or sprinkle with fresh parsley for brightness. Ladle into bowls and enjoy this hearty family-friendly dish.

Notes

For lighter dumplings, avoid overmixing the dough and ensure the stew is actively simmering. To thicken the stew, use a cornstarch slurry (1 Tbsp cornstarch with 2 Tbsp cold water). To thin, add warm chicken broth. Consider using pre-chopped frozen mirepoix or store-bought rotisserie chicken for faster prep. A dash of Worcestershire sauce or a squeeze of lemon brightens flavors.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 260 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx. 360 g)
Calories: 450 calories
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg