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crockpot chicken and dumplings - featured image

Fall Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings: Cheap Family Dinner

  • Author: Melano
  • Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A creamy, comforting slow cooker chicken and dumplings recipe that is budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and perfect for cold fall nights. This dish feeds a family of four to six for under $15.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken, shredded)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 cup frozen green peas (optional, added in last 30 minutes)

Instructions

  1. Chop the onion, carrots, and celery, and mince the garlic.
  2. Place the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper into a 6-quart slow cooker.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf if using. Stir gently to distribute ingredients.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
  5. Remove the chicken from the pot. Shred it with two forks or chop into bite-sized pieces, then return it to the pot.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer on HIGH for 10 minutes to heat through and thicken slightly.
  7. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
  8. Stir in the melted butter and milk until a soft, shaggy, and sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
  9. Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the hot liquid in the slow cooker.
  10. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20-25 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time to allow the dumplings to puff up.
  11. Ladle into bowls and serve with crusty bread or a green salad.

Notes

Do not overmix the dumpling dough to avoid tough dumplings. Keep the lid closed while cooking dumplings to ensure they puff up. Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts in a slow cooker. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content; store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl per serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4
  • Sodium: 600
  • Fat: 22
  • Saturated Fat: 12
  • Carbohydrates: 35
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 25

Keywords: crockpot chicken and dumplings, slow cooker dinner, cheap family dinner, fall recipes, comfort food, easy chicken recipe, budget meals

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Find it online: https://foodnest.info/fall-crockpot-chicken-and-dumplings-cheap-family-dinner/