Description
Hearty chicken and dumplings with cheddar cheese dance with comfort in this classic slow cooker meal. Rich flavors and creamy textures invite home cooks to savor a soul-warming Southern classic that wraps warmth around hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
Poultry:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Base Ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Dumpling Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup (115 grams) cold butter, cubed
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
Instructions
- Combine chicken, aromatics, and liquid seasonings in the crockpot, creating a rich foundational stew mixture. Ensure all components are thoroughly integrated and distribute evenly throughout the cooking vessel.
- Allow the ingredients to slowly simmer and develop deep flavor profiles, letting the chicken become exceptionally tender and infused with herb-enhanced essence.
- Carefully extract the fully cooked protein and delicately separate it into succulent, bite-sized fragments using two parallel utensils. Reincorporate the shredded meat into the surrounding liquid base.
- Craft the dumpling mixture by blending dry ingredients, then incorporating cold butter until the texture resembles rustic, coarse granules. Gently fold in sharp cheddar cheese, then introduce milk to create a cohesive dough.
- Delicately portion the dumpling mixture atop the bubbling chicken stew, creating rustic, cloud-like mounds across the surface.
- Continue cooking until the dumplings transform into pillowy, golden-tinged parcels that have absorbed the surrounding savory liquid.
- Present the completed dish immediately, optionally garnishing with fresh herbaceous sprinkles for an elevated visual and flavor dimension.
Notes
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that shreds easily and absorbs flavors perfectly.
- Ensure dumplings are dropped gently onto the stew to prevent them from sinking too deeply, maintaining their fluffy texture.
- Grate extra sharp cheddar cheese for a more intense flavor that adds depth to the dumpling mixture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and use cornstarch to thicken the stew if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (on low) / 3-4 hours (on high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg