Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup Recipe
Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup is the ultimate comfort food, offering a hearty, warming meal that’s perfect for chilly days or cozy family dinners. This slow-cooked soup combines tender chicken, a mix of vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, simmered to perfection. The result is a dish that not only tastes delicious but also fills your home with mouthwatering aromas. If you’re looking for a nutritious and easy-to-make meal, this crockpot soup recipe is sure to be a hit.
Why You’ll Love Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup
This Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup is ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you’re craving something wholesome and comforting. The slow cooker does all the work, creating a rich and flavorful soup with minimal hands-on time. Here are a few reasons why this recipe stands out:
- Hearty and Filling: With chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, this soup is a complete meal packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
- Convenient: The crockpot does all the cooking, leaving you more time to relax or tackle other tasks while your soup simmers.
- Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients to your liking, whether you prefer more vegetables or extra creaminess.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a chilly evening or a special family meal, this soup is a crowd-pleaser everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients for Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup
This recipe calls for simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a delicious and comforting soup. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Soup:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: You can use fresh or frozen chicken for convenience. Chicken thighs will give the soup a slightly richer flavor, but breasts work well too.
- 4 cups chicken broth: Low-sodium chicken broth is recommended to control the salt content in your soup.
- 2 cups carrots (sliced): Fresh carrots add a natural sweetness and texture to the soup.
- 2 cups celery (sliced): Celery gives the soup a fresh, savory flavor.
- 1 onion (diced): Adds a savory base to the soup, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): Garlic brings a fragrant, rich depth to the soup.
- 1 tsp dried thyme: A classic herb for savory soups, thyme adds a subtle earthy flavor.
- 1 tsp dried parsley: Parsley enhances the freshness of the soup.
- 1/2 tsp salt: You can adjust the salt based on your preference.
- 1/2 tsp black pepper: Adds seasoning and a mild spiciness to the broth.
- 1 bay leaf: A bay leaf infuses the soup with aromatic flavor.
- 1 cup frozen peas: For a pop of color and sweetness.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional): Adds creaminess to the soup for a richer texture.
For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base for the dumplings.
- 1 tbsp baking powder: This helps the dumplings rise and become fluffy.
- 1 tsp salt: To season the dumpling batter.
- 1 tsp dried parsley (optional): Adds extra flavor to the dumplings.
- 3/4 cup milk: Used to bring the dumpling dough together.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted): For a rich and tender texture.
- 1 large egg: Helps bind the dumplings together.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup
Follow these easy-to-follow steps to create a delicious, comforting chicken dumpling soup in your slow cooker.
Step 1: Prepare the Soup Base
Start by placing your chicken breasts (or thighs) at the bottom of the crockpot. Add in the chicken broth, sliced carrots, sliced celery, diced onion, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. Stir everything together to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
Once everything is combined, cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and the vegetables tender by the end of the cooking time.
Step 2: Shred the Chicken
Once the soup has finished cooking, carefully remove the chicken from the crockpot. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the soup and discard the bay leaf. Stir everything to combine.
Step 3: Make the Dumplings
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and dried parsley (if using). In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and egg. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense dumplings.
The batter will be thick, which is perfect for fluffy dumplings.
Step 4: Add Dumplings to the Soup
Now that your dumpling batter is ready, use a spoon to drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture into the simmering soup. Do not stir after adding the dumplings; this allows them to cook directly in the liquid, puffing up to form fluffy dumplings.
Cover the crockpot again and cook the soup on high for 1 hour, or until the dumplings have risen and are cooked through. You can check the dumplings by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the dumplings are done.
Step 5: Finish the Soup
Once the dumplings are cooked, stir in the frozen peas and optional heavy cream. Let the soup heat for an additional 5-10 minutes until the peas are warmed through and the soup is nice and creamy (if using cream).
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a few fluffy dumplings. Serve hot, and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this delicious crockpot soup.
Notes for the Perfect Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup
- Frozen Chicken: If you’re using frozen chicken, you can cook it directly in the crockpot without thawing. Just make sure to extend the cooking time slightly and check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Dumpling Texture: For fluffier dumplings, avoid overmixing the batter. Stir it just enough to combine the ingredients, as overmixing can cause dense dumplings.
- Creaminess: If you prefer a richer, creamier soup, feel free to add more heavy cream or substitute it with half-and-half. This is optional, depending on your desired level of creaminess.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add extra vegetables to suit your taste. Potatoes, corn, or green beans are great options that can bring even more flavor and texture to the soup.
- Broth Alternatives: For a thicker broth, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a bit of cold water and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will help thicken the soup without compromising the flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup
This chicken dumpling soup is a filling and flavorful meal that combines the best of both worlds: tender chicken, savory vegetables, and fluffy dumplings. With minimal effort and a little help from your slow cooker, this dish becomes the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week ahead, this soup is sure to please.
The slow cooker makes it an ideal choice for busy days when you want a hot, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, the ingredients are simple and easy to find, making this recipe accessible to home cooks of all levels.
Try this Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup recipe today, and let the comforting flavors warm you from the inside out!
Chicken Dumpling Crockpot Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot/Slow Cooker
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Large spoon
- Whisk
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- For the Soup:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (fresh or frozen)
- 4 cups chicken broth low-sodium recommended
- 2 cups carrots sliced
- 2 cups celery sliced
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup heavy cream optional, for creamier soup
- For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried parsley optional, for extra flavor
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Prepare the Soup Base:
- Place the chicken breasts (or thighs) into the bottom of the crockpot.
- Add the chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the crockpot. Stir everything together to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Shred the Chicken:
- Once the soup is done cooking, remove the chicken from the crockpot. Shred the chicken using two forks and return the shredded chicken to the soup. Discard the bay leaf.
- Make the Dumplings:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and parsley (if using).
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and egg.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick.
- Add Dumplings to Soup:
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the simmering soup. Do not stir after adding the dumplings. This allows them to cook in the liquid.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 1 hour, or until the dumplings have puffed up and are cooked through. (You can check by inserting a toothpick into the center of a dumpling – it should come out clean.)
- Finish the Soup:
- Once the dumplings are cooked, stir in the frozen peas and heavy cream (if using). Let the soup heat for another 5-10 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a few dumplings. Serve hot and enjoy the hearty flavors!
Video
Notes
Dumplings Texture: For fluffier dumplings, be sure not to overmix the batter. Mix until just combined.
Creaminess: For a creamier soup, you can add more heavy cream or substitute with half-and-half.
Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like corn or potatoes for extra texture and flavor.
Broth Alternatives: If you prefer a thicker broth, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a bit of cold water and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.