If you’re craving soul-warming comfort food with minimal fuss, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup is the answer. Loaded with tender chicken, pillowy dumplings, and plenty of creamy veggies, each spoonful brings the nostalgia of a homemade classic—made effortless in your slow cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Comfort: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, filling your kitchen with cozy aromas while you carry on with your day.
- Ultimate Creaminess: A double dose of cream—both heavy cream and cream of chicken soup—guarantees luscious, velvety broth that rivals any restaurant version.
- Flavorful and Hearty: Each bite is packed with juicy chicken, fluffy homemade dumplings, and a burst of veggies for a meal that truly satisfies.
- Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe makes a big batch—perfect for gatherings, leftovers, or freezing for easy meals later on.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup is how its down-to-earth ingredients create such magical flavor and comfort. Each one, from the juicy chicken to the fresh aromatics, plays a starring role in texture and taste.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): These cut up meltingly tender and infuse the broth with rich flavor—much more than chicken breast ever could.
- Frozen Peas and Carrots (2 cups): Classic in chicken soup, these veggies bring sweetness and a pop of color without any extra prep.
- Large Onion, Chopped: Adds savory depth and sweetness as it slow-cooks right into the base.
- Garlic Powder (2 tbsp): Delivers gentle garlicky goodness, all with zero risk of burning in your slow cooker.
- Seasoning Salt (2 tsp): A no-fuss way to bump up the flavor and give the soup that craveable, seasoned kick.
- Poultry Seasoning (1 1/2 tsp total): This cozy blend of herbs complements the chicken and makes everything taste like a family Sunday dinner.
- Ground Black Pepper (1/2 tsp): Just enough to enhance all the flavors without overpowering.
- Chicken Broth (4 cups): Forms the soul of our soup—use a good-quality broth for the best flavor foundation.
- Cream of Chicken Soup (10.5 oz can): Adds body and amplifies the comforting, homey vibe.
- Heavy Cream (2 cups): Makes the broth extra silky and luxurious—don’t skimp!
- Self-Rising Flour (1 1/2 cups, for dumplings): The secret to light, cloud-like dumplings with zero hassle.
- Buttermilk (1/2 cup, for dumplings): Gives the dumplings a tender crumb and just a hint of tang.
- Butter (2 tbsp, room temp, for dumplings): Luscious richness and binding power for perfect dumpling dough.
Variations
One of the best parts about Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you’re adjusting to what’s in your pantry or catering to special diets, this recipe loves a creative spin!
- Make It Gluten-Free: Swap in a gluten-free self-rising flour blend for the dumplings and be sure your broth and soup are certified gluten-free.
- Add Extra Veggies: Toss in diced celery, corn, green beans, or whatever you have on hand for even more hearty goodness.
- Switch Up the Protein: Use boneless chicken breasts, leftover rotisserie chicken, or even turkey for a fun flavor twist.
- Lighter Version: Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, or use low-fat cream of chicken soup to lighten things up while keeping it creamy.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Step 1: Season and Layer the Chicken
Begin by seasoning your chicken thighs with a generous mix of seasoning salt, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. This quick, aromatic rub soaks in during the long, gentle cook, making every bite flavorful and tender. Lay the seasoned chicken right on the bottom of your slow cooker insert.
Step 2: Build the Soup Base
Add the chopped onion and frozen peas and carrots to the slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth, followed by the cream of chicken soup and rich heavy cream. Stir gently to combine and submerge all the flavors—your kitchen will soon smell amazing!
Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover the slow cooker and set it on low. Let the soup slowly simmer for 6 hours—this hands-off time lets the flavors meld and transforms the chicken into fork-tender, savory perfection. No peeking needed!
Step 4: Mix Up the Dumplings
About an hour before serving, prepare your dumpling dough by sifting self-rising flour and poultry seasoning in a bowl. Mix in the softened butter and buttermilk until a soft, sticky dough forms—don’t overwork it! A light hand ensures feather-soft dumplings.
Step 5: Add Dumplings to Soup
Roughly 45 minutes before dinnertime, drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough directly onto the hot soup. These dumplings puff up into beautiful clouds—replace the lid quickly to trap the steam, and let them cook until fluffy and set.
Step 6: Stir and Serve
Before serving, gently stir the soup to distribute the dumplings and chicken. Ladle generous bowls and dive in while it’s piping hot—this is the definition of cozy, from-scratch comfort!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup
- Best Chicken Cut: Opt for boneless skinless thighs—they stay juicy and result in richer broth, even after hours of slow cooking.
- Quick Dumpling Drop: Use two spoons to easily drop even portions of sticky dough onto the soup—try to keep them the same size so they cook evenly.
- Steam for Fluffy Dumplings: As tempting as it is, don’t lift the lid once the dumplings are in! This keeps crucial steam locked in for perfectly risen dumplings.
- Customize Your Creaminess: For extra-creamy soup, mash a few dumplings into the broth at the end—this thickens things up and adds an old-fashioned texture.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or thyme is the traditional finish, adding a burst of color and hint of herbal freshness to every bowl of Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup.
Side Dishes
Pair this hearty soup with crusty bread, flaky buttermilk biscuits, or a crisp green salad for a truly satisfying, well-rounded meal—even better for sopping up every last drop of the creamy broth!
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup in rustic mugs for a cozy dinner party, or ladle into a large Dutch oven and let everyone help themselves family-style at the table. Extra points for mini dumplings if you want to make it finger food!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let leftover Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup cool completely, then transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to four days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making next-day lunches irresistible!
Freezing
If you want to freeze this soup, scoop out the dumplings and freeze them separately from the broth to keep their texture fluffy. Store in airtight containers for up to three months and thaw overnight before reheating gently.
Reheating
Warm leftover soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often so the creamy broth stays silky. Add a splash of extra broth or cream if needed to revive the perfect, cozy consistency.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well and will still become wonderfully tender in the slow cooker. Just keep a close eye during cooking so they don’t become dry, and consider adding an extra splash of broth or cream for added moisture.
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How can I make the dumplings even fluffier?
The keys to fluffy dumplings are handling the dough as little as possible and making sure your buttermilk and butter are well combined. Also, remember to keep the slow cooker lid closed once the dumplings are added so steam doesn’t escape.
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Can I add noodles or rice instead of dumplings?
Of course! While Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup is legendary for its dumplings, you can substitute egg noodles or cooked rice during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Just be sure to adjust the liquid as needed and add them just before serving so they don’t overcook.
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Can I prep everything the night before?
Definitely! Assemble all the soup ingredients (except the dumpling dough) in your slow cooker insert and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, pop it straight onto the slow cooker base and start cooking. Mix the dumpling dough just before it’s time to drop them in for best results.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to experience the comfort and ease of Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup in your own kitchen. It’s the kind of simple pleasure that makes any day cozier, and I know you’ll fall in love after just one bite. Grab your slow cooker and let this be your new family favorite!
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup recipe. Tender chicken, flavorful broth, and fluffy dumplings make this a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp seasoning salt
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 10.5 oz can of cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups heavy cream
For the Dumplings:
- 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp butter, at room temperature
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with 1 tsp seasoning salt, 1 tsp poultry seasoning, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place in slow cooker.
- Add the Ingredients: Add onion, peas, carrots, broth, cream of chicken soup, and heavy cream. Stir to combine.
- Cook the Soup: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
- Prepare the Dumplings: Sift flour and poultry seasoning, then mix in butter and buttermilk to form dough.
- Add the Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of dough into the soup, cook for 45 minutes.
- Serve: Gently stir, then serve hot.
Notes
- You can add more vegetables like celery or potatoes for extra flavor.
- Adjust seasoning according to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
