Slow-Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

Name: Slow-Cooker Chicken & Dumplings
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 20 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Cuisine: North America, Midwest
Ingredients: 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, chopped; 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 3 celery ribs, chopped; 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped; 1 large onion, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups chicken broth, divided; 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; DUMPLINGS:; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 cup whole milk; 4 tablespoons melted butter

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Cook: 6 hours + standing YIELD: 8 servings.

Here's a homey dish that people just can't wait to dive in to! Yes, you can have slow-cooker chicken and dumplings. The homemade classic takes a bit of work but is certainly worth it. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Ingredients

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth, divided
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
DUMPLINGS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons melted butter

Directions

1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker.
2. In same skillet, cook celery, carrots and onion until tender, 6-8 minutes. Add garlic, tomato paste and remaining salt and pepper; cook 1 minute. Stir in flour; cook 1 minute longer. Whisk in 2 cups chicken broth; cook and stir until thickened. Transfer to slow cooker. Stir in bay leaves, thyme and remaining chicken broth.
3. For dumplings, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Stir in milk and butter to form a thick batter. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls over chicken mixture. Cook, covered, on low until bubbly and dumplings are set, 6-8 hours. Discard bay leaves. Remove insert and let stand, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

1 dumpling with 1 cup sauce: 370 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 1245mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.