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Wholesome Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings: Easy Comfort Food

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This wholesome slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe recreates a beloved restaurant dish with simple, healthy ingredients. Tender chicken, soft vegetables, and pillowy whole-wheat dumplings in a creamy, herby broth make for the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for more flavor)
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk (or unsweetened oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)
  • 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat works best)
  • 1/4 cup cold whole milk (or buttermilk)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables (10 minutes): Dice the carrots, celery, and onion into roughly even pieces—about 1/2-inch cubes. Mince the garlic.
  2. Sauté the aromatics (5 minutes): In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Build the stew base (5 minutes): Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the sautéed vegetables. Stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook the raw flour taste out. Slowly pour in about 1 cup of the chicken broth, stirring constantly to create a smooth slurry.
  4. Assemble in the slow cooker (5 minutes): Transfer the vegetable mixture to the slow cooker. Add the remaining 3 cups of chicken broth, the whole milk, dried thyme, rosemary, sage, bay leaf, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Nestle the chicken breasts into the liquid.
  5. Slow cook (4-6 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH): Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be tender and easily shreddable.
  6. Shred the chicken (5 minutes): Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat. Discard the bay leaf. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the frozen peas.
  7. Make the dumpling dough (5 minutes): In a mixing bowl, whisk together the whole-wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut the cold butter pieces into the flour using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt and cold milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a fork just until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix. Fold in the chives if using.
  8. Drop the dumplings (2 minutes): Using a small cookie scoop or two spoons, drop rounded tablespoons of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the simmering stew. You should get about 12-14 small dumplings.
  9. Cook the dumplings (30 minutes): Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time. The dumplings are done when they are puffed up, firm to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Rest and serve (5 minutes): Turn off the slow cooker and let the stew sit for about 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.

Notes

For best results, do not skip the stovetop sauté step—it builds flavor. Use whole milk or unsweetened oat milk to prevent curdling. Keep butter cold for dumplings to ensure fluffiness. Do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken and dumplings, healthy chicken and dumplings, whole wheat dumplings, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/wholesome-slow-cooker-chicken-and-dumplings-easy-comfort-food/