Chicken and dumplings. Is there any meal more comforting than that? Growing up, this meal was a staple in the Lowe household. We had it every time it was chilly outside. This recipe is so easy, you’ll think I left something out. I didn’t. Trust me. My mom always makes this on the stove top but I did mine in the slow cooker. The only thing better then chicken and dumplings is chicken and dumplings cooking while I’m away all day. You just have to make this. Soon.
Shopping List
1 pound of chicken breasts (uncooked…frozen or thawed, it doesn’t matter if you’re using the slow cooker)
4 cups of water
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 can of refrigerated biscuits (I use Grands)
Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Top with water and both cans of soup. Add in black pepper.
Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. Remove lid about 15 minutes before you’re ready to eat, shred the chicken in the slow cooker with two forks.
Take your biscuits and quarter each one (I just tear them with my hands but you could cut them). Add in your biscuit pieces into the slow cooker. Cover and continue to let the biscuits cook another 15 minutes.
Serve.
That’s it.
Now…if you’re not a regular to chicken and dumplings…here’s the thing. They’re dumplings…not crusty biscuits. Dumplings have a doughy texture…your biscuits will be cooked but they’re not going to fluff up like biscuits. I just wanted to make that clear :). If you want to do this on the stove top, simply cook your chicken over medium-high heat with the 4 cups of water, then shred in the pot, add in your soup and cook about 10 minutes. Then add in your biscuits and cook another 10 minutes. Dinner is done.
A sweet boy to cuddle with on a chilly night.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
I LOVE chicken and dumplings, but I don't like all the work. These sound soooooooooo easy!
Tab & Erika says
Yummy!! This looks so good! I must try! Glad you posted this recipe but a little sad we're not seeing your hot mama legs today!! 🙂
Maureen W. (Maryland) says
I never had chicken and dumplings growing up, but recently tried a crock pot recipe for them and those grands biscuits make the best dumplings! The recipe I followed called for leek soup as the base and we threw in some carrots and frozen peas to "veg" it up. I will try your version next time since it sounds so creamy and comforting.
Anonymous says
I would love to make this but my family can't eat a lot of dairy – any ideas to replace the creamy soup?!
Also quick question – do your kids eat your dinners every night? This is something I really struggle with. My kids eat healthy dinners but not what I make – they eat easy food (carrots/dip, hummus, turkey deli meat, fruit, nuts etc) but I would love them to eat what I make!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Hi there! You could do a little cornstarch/water combo with some chicken broth instead of soup. Just add more salt and pepper too. This will thicken the soup up without using a cream based soup. As for my kids, they eat what I serve about 50 percent of the time. I consider that good. As long as they're trying new foods and eating healthy most of the time, I don't worry about it. They're kids…a lot of it is about control. One of these days, I anticipate big eaters. I try not to stress. Have a great day!
Rachel Tapscott says
Hi Shay, I'm embarassed to admit that I'm a 20-something who doesn't own a crock pot! I went to buy one at Target but there are so many options! What size? What color? Do I get one with a picture of Hello Kitty on it? So many choices to make! Can you please help! What would you recommend? Thanks so much and I love your blog!
Rachel
Mix and Match Mama says
Hi Rachel! Great question!!! The standard size for a slow cooker is 5 to 6 quarts. I would just make sure the one you pick has a low and a high setting. Oval shapes are good because they handle longer cuts of meat (like brisket) really well. Make sure you buy slow cooker liners to go in there too (they're next to the baggies and such). They make clean-up time a breeze! Whatever you do, don't tell my daughter I could buy a Hello Kitty slow cooker…she would go nuts!
Kim Turner says
I made these last week on Columbus Day for my family and invited my parents over to share with them as well. These were absolutely delicious and nothing was left uneaten!
One change I made was rolling and cutting the biscuits very thin. I'm sure they are just as tastey thicker also! We will be enjoying these on a regular basis this fall and winter! 🙂
Anonymous says
Do you mean 1tbsp or 1 tsp of pepper? I made it with
1 tbsp pepper and it seemed to be too much. Other
than that, really good recipe! I love spicy foods, but
the pepper seemed to be a lot at 1 tbsp. Thanks
for an awesome recipe!
Mix and Match Mama says
I mean one tablespoon. I know it sounds like a lot but it's the only spice in the entire dinner…and that's how my mama always made it :). You could always use less and adjust as needed.
AmyJo says
I made these and they were great! I added a bag of mixed veggies with carrots, corn, and asparagus, and it was the perfect dinner. Threw it all in the pot in the morning, added veggies and biscuits later in the day, and dinner was ready and waiting for us. Thanks!
Aubs says
made this one last week and it was FABULOUS!! not going to lie…i was concerned it wouldn't have much flavor but it was sooo good!!! i should really know better…you've never let me down w/ your recipes! i'll never doubt again! =)
Laura says
Hey! I made this tonight and the flavor was really yummy but is it supposed to be more of a soup (as opposed to, say, a casserole)? When I make it again I'll probably use two cups of water rather than four for a thicker texture. Or is that much water needed to cook the chicken?
Anonymous says
That much water is to cook the chicken 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
It's supposed to be like a soup…just make sure you have enough liquids in your slow cooker to cover your chicken while it cooks.
paigecparker says
Shay,
I mentioned this recipe and your blog in my blog ( http://sanityamongstchaos.wordpress.com ) today! LOVE your recipes and your blog. Keep up the good work.
God Bless,
Paige
mel @ the larson lingo says
I have never made chicken & dumplings before!!! I will absolutely be making your recipe! Looks easy & delicious! Thanks for linking up! xoxo.
Shesabigstar says
I have to agree with the other comment about too much pepper! I was concerned that it would be too much but went along with it since there were no other seasonings… but that much pepper made it inedible for my kids. I don't mind it, but it is definitely a strong pepper taste. If you have picky little ones that may not like a strong pepper taste I'd definitely recommend cutting back on that. The flavor of the soup is great otherwise and I'll definitely be making it again… just with a little less pepper!;)
Anonymous says
I don't add the pepper I'll let my family add it to there dish cuz I like mine spicy plus I have kids too so its easier to wait just a suggestion
Deana says
This was absolutely delicious!! My husband said it's the best dinner we've have in a while, I guess I should start looking at more of your fabulous recipes!! Thanks so much!
Mallory Dyer says
This dish is AMAZING!!! My very favorite!! Thank you for this recipe!!
Maggie says
I made this yesterday for dinner. Yummy!! It was a hit in my house of picky eaters. Perfect comfort food for the cold, rainy evening.
Dawn says
We're super duper snowed in here and I am out of canned biscuits. Do you think I could make biscuit dough using Bisquick and use it in place of the refrigerated biscuits? I don't want to mess up a yummy dinner 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Totally try making homemade dumplings! The dumplings will be delish either way! Enjoy your warm dinner on your snowy night!
JDeffenbaugh says
Hi Shay! Just surfing your recipes as I meal plan for next week, my usual routine 🙂 Anyways I've made this once before and it was sooo good. I can't wait to have it again! I can't remember if I served anything with it last time. Do you consider this a full meal on its own or dish up something with it? Thanks! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
This is totally a full meal! We serve it with a salad on the side. Enjoy!
Kim says
Maybe it doesn't matter much, but when you cook the biscuits for 15 minutes more, is that on low or high? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
It doesn't really matter if you cook the biscuits on high or low…they're only in there a minute. Enjoy!
Emily says
Hi! Have you ever used chicken stock in place of water in this recipe? I feel like it would give it even more flavor.
Mix and Match Mama says
You can totally use stock instead :).
Kristine says
I made this for dinner tonight. Made it on the stovetop. It was so easy and yummy. I added a stalk of celery, carrot and thick slice of onion finely diced to water while cooking chicken breasts for added flavor. Used 1 1/2 tsp of pepper which was the perfect amt for me. Definitely will be making this again.
Melanie says
I made this for dinner last night and we loved it! I made it on the stovetop and had to use cream of mushroom because I didn't have cream of chicken but it was totally delicious!
Anonymous says
I just made dumplings and the whole pot turned out really slimy…..like nasty slimy. What could cause this? I have made them the same way for 20 years. Haven't a clue what went wrong.. Anyone else ever experience this? Only ingredients were chicken, onion, celery, carrots and chicken broth. Dumplings were canned biscuits. Cooked over the stove. Bumfuzzled on this one!