If you have ever dreamed of the ultimate comfort food that warms the soul and satisfies every craving, then look no further than Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings (Crock Pot Style) Recipe. This classic Southern dish takes the humble ingredients of chicken, fresh vegetables, and tender dumplings and transforms them into a bowl of pure, hearty bliss. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, infusing the chicken with deep flavors while the fluffy dumplings steam to perfection on top. It’s that perfect mix of cozy, savory, and downright delicious, guaranteed to become a staple in your family’s recipe box.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s so wonderful about Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings (Crock Pot Style) Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet how each one plays an essential role in building layers of flavor, texture, and that comforting color we love in a home-cooked meal. From savory chicken thighs to fragrant herbs and fluffy dumplings, every element is simple but essential.
- 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Provides rich, tender meat that stays juicy in the slow cooker.
- 4 cups water: Acts as the flavorful base for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- 4 tsp Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base: Enhances the broth with concentrated chicken flavor.
- 5–10 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks: Adds natural sweetness and bright color.
- 2 cups celery, chopped into ½-inch chunks: Gives a subtle aromatic crunch and freshness.
- 1 large onion, chopped: Intensifies the savory depth of the dish.
- 2 bay leaves: Infuse a delicate, earthy undertone.
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning: Blends classic herbs for that signature comfort flavor.
- 1½ tsp dried parsley: Lends a fresh, green note to the broth and dumplings.
- 1 tsp sage: Offers a warm, peppery herbal touch.
- 1 tsp salt: Balances and highlights all flavors.
- ½ tsp pepper: Adds a gentle hint of spice.
- Dumplings: 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1½ tsp salt, 1 tbsp baking powder, 2 tsp dried parsley (or fresh), ½ tsp pepper, 3 tbsp cold butter, 3 tbsp shortening, 1½ cups buttermilk—together they create tender, fluffy clouds atop the stew.
- Gravy: 2 cups cooking liquid from the slow cooker, ¾ cup cold water, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base, salt and pepper to taste—this silky sauce ties the whole dish together.
How to Make Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings (Crock Pot Style) Recipe
Step 1: Build the Flavor Base
Start by placing the chicken thighs, water, Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base, carrots, celery, onion, bay leaves, and all the seasoning into your slow cooker. This combination is where the magic begins, allowing the flavors to slowly meld while the chicken cooks to juicy perfection.
Step 2: Slow Cook to Tenderness
Cover the slow cooker and let everything simmer effortlessly on Low for 6 to 7 hours. This slow, gentle cooking makes the chicken pull apart beautifully and gives those vegetables a soft, homey texture that perfectly complements the dish.
Step 3: Prepare the Dumpling Dough
While the chicken is making magic in the slow cooker, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, parsley, and pepper in a large bowl. This dry mix forms the base of the dumplings, bringing a light herbal flavor later on.
Step 4: Incorporate Butter and Buttermilk
Cut cold butter and shortening into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then stir in the buttermilk just until everything is combined. This creates a tender dough that will steam into irresistible dumplings.
Step 5: Shred the Chicken
Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the cooker and stir to combine it with the seasoned broth and vegetables.
Step 6: Add Dumplings on Top
Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough evenly over the chicken mixture in the slow cooker. This ensures each dumpling gets the perfect steam and flavor as it cooks atop the savory stew.
Step 7: Cook the Dumplings
Cover and cook the whole thing on High for about 1 hour, or until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through, creating that melt-in-your-mouth bite we all adore.
Step 8: Make the Gravy
In a separate saucepan, combine 2 cups of the slow cooker’s cooking liquid with cold water and bring to a gentle simmer. Mix flour and chicken base into a slurry, then slowly whisk it into the simmering liquid, stirring until thickened into a smooth gravy.
Step 9: Final Seasoning
Season your gravy with salt and pepper to taste, enhancing the richness and ensuring every spoonful is perfectly balanced with flavor.
Step 10: Serve with Grace
Dish out the chicken and dumplings into serving bowls and generously ladle the warm, luscious gravy over them. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top if you like that extra pop of color and freshness.
How to Serve Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings (Crock Pot Style) Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or chives add a burst of color and a fresh note that brightens up this hearty dish. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper right before serving also adds a delightful warmth that complements the creamy dumplings and savory chicken.
Side Dishes
This dish is hearty enough on its own, but pairing it with a simple green salad or steamed greens like collards or spinach can add a refreshing and nutritious contrast. Crusty bread or warm cornbread is a classic accompaniment that soaks up any extra gravy perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings (Crock Pot Style) Recipe in rustic bowls to embrace its homestyle charm, or get festive by garnishing with edible flowers or a drizzle of herb-infused oil. For a family-style feast, present it in a large, warm casserole dish right at the table—it invites everyone to dig in together!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next-day meal just as good, if not better.
Freezing
You can freeze Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings (Crock Pot Style) Recipe for up to 3 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers, making sure to leave some space for expansion, and thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to warm evenly. If the dish feels a bit thick, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the consistency, keeping that comforting, moist texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but thighs are preferred for their higher fat content which keeps the meat juicy and tender during the long slow cooking process.
Do I need to prepare the dumplings separately?
No, the beauty of this recipe is that you drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough directly on top of the chicken mixture in the slow cooker, where they steam perfectly.
Is Better Than Bouillon necessary?
While it adds a wonderful depth, you can substitute it with chicken broth or stock, though you might want to adjust the seasoning to taste.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe for an Instant Pot using the slow cook setting or pressure cook with some timing adjustments, but the slow cooker method gives the best slow-simmered flavor.
How do I know when the dumplings are done?
The dumplings should be fluffy and cooked through after about an hour on High; test by inserting a toothpick which should come out clean.
Final Thoughts
Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings (Crock Pot Style) Recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a warm hug on a plate, a taste of nostalgia, and a reminder that sometimes the simplest ingredients make the most unforgettable dishes. Give this recipe a try, and I promise you’ll find a new favorite comfort food to share around your own table for years to come.
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Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings (Crock Pot Style) Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
Experience the comforting taste of Grandma Georgia’s Chicken and Dumplings made easy in a crock pot. Tender chicken thighs simmer with flavorful vegetables and seasonings, topped with fluffy homemade dumplings, and finished with a rich, savory gravy. This slow-cooked Southern classic is perfect for a hearty, satisfying meal that’s ready when you are.
Ingredients
Chicken and Broth
- 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 cups water
- 4 tsp Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
- 5–10 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 2 cups celery, chopped into ½-inch chunks
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1½ tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp sage
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Dumplings
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tsp dried parsley (or 2 tbsp fresh parsley)
- ½ tsp pepper
- 3 tbsp cold butter
- 3 tbsp shortening
- 1½ cups buttermilk
Gravy
- 2 cups cooking liquid from the slow cooker
- ¾ cup cold water
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker Base: Place the chicken thighs, water, Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base, carrots, celery, onion, bay leaves, and all seasonings into the slow cooker. This mixture forms the flavorful broth and tender chicken base for the dish.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on Low heat for 6 to 7 hours. This slow cooking process allows the chicken to become fully cooked and tender while infusing the broth with rich flavors.
- Mix Dumpling Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, parsley, and pepper for the dumplings. This dry mix will create the fluffy dumpling texture when cooked.
- Incorporate Fats and Buttermilk: Cut in the cold butter and shortening until the mixture becomes crumbly. Then add the buttermilk and mix gently until just combined to form a dough.
- Shred Chicken and Return to Slow Cooker: Remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat finely. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the broth and vegetables.
- Drop Dumplings on Chicken Mix: Spoon the dumpling dough evenly over the chicken mixture in the slow cooker. Distribute the dough to allow even cooking.
- Cook Dumplings: Cover and set the slow cooker to High. Cook for 1 hour until the dumplings are fully cooked through and fluffy on top of the chicken mixture.
- Prepare the Gravy Base: Pour 2 cups of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker along with ¾ cup cold water into a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. This liquid base will be thickened to make the gravy.
- Make Gravy Slurry and Thicken: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base to make a slurry. Slowly add this slurry into the simmering liquid while whisking constantly until the gravy thickens.
- Season Gravy: Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired for perfect flavor balance.
- Serve: Spoon the chicken and dumplings into bowls, topping with warm gravy. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley for added color and freshness.
Notes
- For best flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as they stay moist during long cooking.
- You can adjust the number of carrots based on size; 5–10 provides a good carrot-to-chicken ratio.
- If you prefer fresh herbs, substitute 2 tbsp fresh parsley for dried parsley in the dumplings.
- Dumplings are best not overmixed to keep them light and fluffy.
- Make sure to check the thickness of the gravy and adjust by adding more water or flour slurry as needed.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or halved depending on your slow cooker size and servings needed.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on stovetop.
