Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

I have to admit I have never had chicken and dumplings before I made this recipe. In fact I really did not know what chicken and dumplings consisted of. But this recipe looked good and I have been looking for some new crock pot recipes.

After trying this recipe I would say the chicken part is a cross between chicken soup and a chicken stew. It is thicker than a soup but not as thick a most stews I have had. It does have vegetables in it like some chicken soups do and stews do. The dumplings remind me of a biscuit.

In the little bit of research I did about chicken and dumplings, I found out nobody really knows the origin of the dish and there are many different varieties. But what I can tell you for certain, is that this crock pot variety is really good and fairly easy.

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic, about 3 cloves
• 2 celery stalks, 1/4 inch thick slices
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 4 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon Chicken Flavor
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed and drained
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Dumplings

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup half and half
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons of oil.
2. Add in the chicken and brown on both sides, you do not need to completely cook it through. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
3. Add in the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and allow it to heat up.
4. Add in the onions, celery, garlic, tomato paste and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft.
5. Whisk in the flour and cook stirring constantly for 1 minute. Slowly stir in the white wine, scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the skillet. Slowly add in 1 cup of chicken broth while stirring constantly. Continue to stir until mixture is smooth.
6. Carefully pour the mixture into a crock pot.
7. Add to the crock pot the remaining chicken broth, Better Than Bouillon, black pepper, carrots, bay leaves and dried parsley. Add in the chicken breasts and any juice that has accumulated on the plate.
8. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
9. Remove the chicken and transfer to a cutting board. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes, then shred the chicken.
10. Remove the bay leaves and throw away.
11. After removing the chicken and bay leaf, turn the crock pot to high and keep the lid on.
12. Add the shredded chicken to the crock pot along with the peas and heavy whipping cream. Stir to mix everything together.
13. Cover the crock pot and keep it on high while you prepare the dumplings.

Dumplings

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and black pepper.
2. Add the butter and half and half to a microwave safe bowl and microwave until warm, about 1 minute. Stir until the butter is completely melted.
3. Pour the half and half mixture into the flour mixture and add the dried thyme. Mix just until everything is incorporated.
4. Scoop out a ball of dough, about the size of a golf ball, and drop it onto the surface of the stew, leaving about 1/4 inch in between each dumpling.
5. Cover the crock pot and cook on high until the dumplings have doubled in size and are cooked all the way through, about 45-60 minutes. To test if the dumpling are done insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean the dumplings are done.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 504
Total Fat		20.2g
Saturated Fat		8.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat		1.6g
Monounsaturated Fat		4.2g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		158.8mg
Sodium		701.8mg
Potassium		171.4mg
Total Carbohydrates		35.4g
Dietary Fiber		3.4g
Sugars		5.2g
Protein		41.4g
Vitamin A 111.9% Vitamin C 7.2%
Calcium 6.7% Iron 13%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Gonna Want Seconds.