This DIY chicken and dumplings recipe, designed for the slow cooker, offers flavors that comfort the soul and textures that soothe the senses. It serves as the perfect antidote to cold winter nights, or whenever the craving strikes for a meal that is both robust and satisfying.

For the Chicken and Broth:

800 grams of boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 medium onion, diced

3 large carrots, peeled and sliced

3 stalks of celery, sliced

4 cloves of garlic, minced

4 cups of chicken broth

2 cups of water

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon of dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dumplings:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

3/4 cup of milk

3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted

Procedure:

Step 1:

Start with preparing the chicken. Trim any extra parts from the chicken breasts and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 2:

In the slow cooker, combine the prepared chicken, onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Separately mix the chicken broth, water, bay leaves, dried thyme, and extra salt and pepper for taste. Stir well.

Step 3:

Pour this broth mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Make sure all elements are covered by the liquid. Cook this on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 4:

Towards the end of this cooking period, start with the dumplings. Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

Step 5:

In another bowl, combine the melted butter and milk. Slowly add this milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, the dough should be slightly lumpy.

Step 6:

After the chicken is done, remove and discard the bay leaves from the slow cooker. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the chicken and broth mix. Ensure it’s spread evenly.

Step 7:

Put the cover back on the slow cooker and cook on high for another 1-2 hours, or until the dumplings are cooked through. They should be fluffy and light.

Step 8:

Stir the mixture gently after the dumplings are cooked to help thicken the broth a bit. The dumplings will absorb some of the liquid, giving a creamy consistency. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 9:

Serve the homemade chicken and dumplings hot, straight from the slow cooker. Distribute the chicken, vegetables, dumplings, and broth into individual bowls, ensuring each serving has an equal portion of each component. Enjoy!