Crock-Pot Comfort- Mastering the Art of Chicken and Dumplings in a Slow Cooker
How to Make Crock-Pot Chicken and Dumplings: A Comforting Family Favorite
Chicken and dumplings are a timeless comfort food that brings warmth and joy to any family gathering. With the convenience of a crock-pot, you can easily prepare this delicious dish with minimal effort. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making crock-pot chicken and dumplings, ensuring that you have a flavorful and satisfying meal every time.
Ingredients
To make crock-pot chicken and dumplings, you will need the following ingredients:
– 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds)
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1/2 cup diced carrots
– 1/2 cup diced celery
– 1/2 cup diced onions
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup cold water
– 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
1. Begin by preparing the chicken. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the chicken in the crock-pot.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the chicken broth, diced carrots, celery, onions, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crock-pot.
3. Cover the crock-pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and falls off the bone.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crock-pot and set it aside. Use two forks to shred the chicken and return it to the crock-pot.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and cold water together until a dough forms. This is your dumpling dough.
6. Drop the dumpling dough by spoonfuls onto the top of the shredded chicken in the crock-pot. You should have about 10-12 dumplings.
7. Drizzle the melted butter over the dumplings and cover the crock-pot. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, or until the dumplings are fully cooked and puffy.
8. Carefully remove the crock-pot lid and let the dumplings sit for a few minutes before serving. This will allow them to firm up.
9. Serve the crock-pot chicken and dumplings hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chopped green onions if desired.
Now that you know how to make crock-pot chicken and dumplings, you can enjoy this comforting meal whenever you want. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends. Happy cooking!