Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Dumplings (Printable)

Creamy, ranch-seasoned chicken stew with tender vegetables and fluffy biscuit dumplings, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Stew

01 - 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
06 - 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
07 - 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1 cup frozen peas
12 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

→ Dumplings

14 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
15 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
16 - 1 teaspoon sugar
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
18 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
19 - 1 cup whole milk
20 - 1 can (16 ounces) refrigerated biscuit dough, quartered (alternative option)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In the slow cooker, combine chicken, diced onion, sliced carrots, celery, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, dried parsley, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to blend seasoning throughout.
02 - Cover and cook on low setting for 5 hours, or until chicken is tender and readily shreds with minimal effort.
03 - Remove cooked chicken from slow cooker and shred completely using two forks, then return shredded chicken to the stew.
04 - Stir in frozen peas, heavy cream or half-and-half, and cubed butter until evenly distributed.
05 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Pour in melted butter and whole milk, stirring gently until just combined without overmixing.
06 - Drop rounded spoonfuls of dumpling dough onto the stew surface, spacing pieces apart to allow expansion, or distribute quartered biscuit dough pieces evenly across the top.
07 - Cover and cook on high setting for 30 to 45 minutes until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.
08 - Transfer to serving bowls while hot and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ultimate Convenience: This recipe utilizes the slow cooker for a hands-off cooking experience that yields maximum flavor.
  • Ranch Twist: The addition of ranch seasoning provides a unique depth of flavor that perfectly complements the creamy chicken base.
  • Fluffy Dumplings: Whether you choose the homemade route or use biscuit dough, the dumplings soak up the gravy for a truly hearty bite.
02 -
  • Shredding with Ease: Shred the chicken on a separate plate before returning it to the slow cooker to maintain control over the size of the pieces.
  • Steam is Key: Once you add the dumplings, keep the lid closed. Opening it frequently allows the steam to escape, which can result in undercooked dumplings.
  • Temperature Check: Ensure your slow cooker is set to high for the dumpling phase so they have enough heat to rise and cook through properly.
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