The Best Kind of Wrong Weather
Sometimes the weatherman gets it wrong. They promise a big snowstorm. Then only a few flakes fall.
I call that a False Snow Day. It feels cozy but there is no shoveling. It is the perfect day for my chicken and dumplings. This dish is a big, warm hug in a bowl.
A Story From My Kitchen
My grandson once tried to shred the chicken with two forks. It went everywhere. I showed him my secret. I still laugh at that.
I use a potato masher right in the slow cooker. It presses the chicken into perfect shreds. It is so easy and fun. Do you have a favorite kitchen trick? I would love to hear it.
Let’s Get Cooking
Start with your slow cooker. Put everything in but the flour and water. The butter, soup, broth, onion, and chicken all go in. Make sure the chicken is covered.
Let it cook on low for many hours. The smell will fill your house. Doesn’t that smell amazing? This long, slow cook makes the chicken so tender. That matters because it makes the meal feel special.
The Fun Part: Making Dumplings
An hour before dinner, we make the dumplings. Mix the flour with ice-cold water. You just need a simple dough.
Roll it out thin on a floured counter. Then cut it into little squares. *Fun fact: In some old recipes, dumplings were called “slippery noodles.”* Gently drop them into the hot soup. They will puff up as they cook.
Why This Meal Matters
This is more than just food. It is about taking time. The slow cooker does the work. This gives you time to relax or play a game.
Sharing a warm meal brings people together. That matters a lot. It makes a simple Tuesday feel like a holiday. What is your favorite cozy meal for a quiet day?
Time to Eat!
After 45 minutes, your dumplings are ready. They will be soft and cooked through. Ladle the stew into big bowls.
The broth is creamy. The chicken is tender. The dumplings are little pillows of joy. It is pure comfort. I think everyone needs a recipe like this. Do you have a family recipe that makes you feel this way?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 4 | |
| Cream of chicken soup | 2 (10.75-ounce) cans | |
| Chicken broth | 1 (14.5-ounce) can | |
| Onion | 1 small, chopped | |
| Butter | 2 tablespoons | |
| All-purpose flour | 1/2 cup | For the dumplings |
| Ice cold water | 5 tablespoons | For the dumplings |
Cozy Chicken Dumplings for a False Snow Day
I remember one spring morning. The sky was full of big, fluffy flakes. We got so excited for a snow day. Then, by lunchtime, it had all melted away. We called it a false snow day. I still laugh at that. This recipe is perfect for that kind of disappointment. It makes everything feel warm and cozy inside.
Let’s get our slow cooker going. It does most of the work for us. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It fills the whole house with a happy feeling.
- Step 1: First, put everything in the slow cooker. Add your butter, soup, broth, and onion. Pour in one can of water, too. Now, nestle those chicken breasts right in there. Make sure the liquid covers them. This keeps them juicy and tender.
- Step 2: Now, just put the lid on. Let it cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. You can go play a board game or read a book. I love how this recipe gives you time to relax. The waiting is the hardest part, though.
- Step 3: About an hour before dinner, turn the heat to high. Your chicken will be so tender it falls apart. I like to use a potato masher to shred it. It’s so easy. (My hard-learned tip: Don’t skip the shredding! Big chunks of chicken are not as fun to eat.)
- Step 4: Time for the dumplings! Mix your flour with ice-cold water. You might need a tiny bit more flour or water. You want a dough you can roll. What’s your favorite kitchen tool for rolling dough? Share below!
- Step 5: Sprinkle some flour on your counter. Roll the dough out very thin. Then, use a pizza cutter to slice it into little squares. My grandkids love helping with this part. They pretend they are chefs on TV.
- Step 6: Gently drop your dumpling squares into the hot soup. Try to drop them around the edges. Then give it one gentle stir. They will puff up so nicely.
- Step 7: Put the lid back on. Let it cook on high for 45 minutes. Soon, you will have the coziest meal ready. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
Cook Time: 7-9 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes – 9 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner, Soup
Three Fun Twists to Try
This recipe is like a good friend. It’s wonderful just as it is. But it’s also happy to change things up. Here are a few ideas if you’re feeling creative. They are all so simple and tasty.
- The Veggie Lover: Swap the chicken for a big bag of frozen mixed vegetables. Peas and carrots are my favorite. It becomes a whole new soup.
- The Little Spice: Add a sprinkle of black pepper and a little paprika. It gives the broth a warm, happy kick. Perfect for a truly chilly day.
- The Herby Freshness: Stir in a handful of fresh parsley right before serving. It makes everything taste bright and garden-fresh. Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Making it a Full Meal
This dish is a meal all by itself. But I always think a little something on the side is nice. A simple green salad with a light dressing is perfect. It adds a cool, crunchy bite. Some buttery dinner rolls are great, too. You can dip them in the broth.
What should we drink with it? A cold glass of apple cider is wonderful. The sweet taste goes so well with the savory soup. For the grown-ups, a chilled glass of Chardonnay is a lovely treat. It sips nicely between bites. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Cozy Chicken Dumplings Cozy
This recipe makes a big, happy pot of food. You will likely have leftovers. Let the soup cool completely before you put it in the fridge. It will stay good for about three days. You can also freeze it for a chilly night next month.
Use a freezer-safe container. Leave a little space at the top. The soup will expand as it freezes. I once lost a good container lid that way. It popped right off. Batch cooking this meal is a wonderful time-saver. It means a warm dinner is always ready for you. This matters on busy days when you are just too tired to cook.
To reheat, warm it slowly on the stove. Add a splash of broth if it seems too thick. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Dumpling Dilemmas
Sometimes, our cooking needs a little help. Do not worry. I have been there too. If your dumplings seem gummy, you might have rolled the dough too thick. Roll it nice and thin for light dumplings. This makes them fluffy instead of doughy.
If the soup is too thin, mix a tablespoon of flour with some cold water. Stir this slurry into the hot soup. I remember when my soup was like broth. This trick saved our supper. Getting the flavor right builds your cooking confidence. It makes the meal more enjoyable for everyone.
Is your chicken tough? It probably did not cook long enough. Let it simmer until it falls apart with a fork. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Cozy Chicken Dumpling Questions, Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes. Use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and a gluten-free flour blend.
Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the soup base a day early. Just add the dumplings when you reheat it.
Q: What can I use instead of onion?
A: A teaspoon of onion powder works just fine. My grandson prefers it that way.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Absolutely. Just make sure your slow cooker is big enough to hold it all.
Q: Any fun add-in ideas?
A: A cup of frozen peas or sliced carrots adds a nice color and sweetness. Fun fact: Adding peas at the end keeps them bright green and perfect. Which tip will you try first?
Share Your Cozy Creation
I hope this recipe warms your kitchen and your heart. It is one of my favorites to share. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your family meals.
I would love to see your beautiful bowls of chicken and dumplings. Your photos inspire all of us to get cooking. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!
Happy cooking!
—Olivia Hartwell.
Cozy Chicken Dumplings for a False Snow Day
Description
Warm up with this comforting slow cooker meal, featuring tender shredded chicken and soft, homemade dumplings in a creamy broth.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by placing the butter, two cans of cream of chicken soup, the can of chicken broth plus one can of water, and the chopped onion into a slow cooker set to low. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid.
- Allow the mixture to cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours.
- Approximately one hour before you plan to serve, increase the slow cooker’s temperature to high. Shred the chicken, which should be very tender and fall apart easily. A potato masher works well for this task.
- To prepare the dumplings, mix the 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour with 5 tablespoons of ice-cold water. Adjust with small amounts of extra flour or water as needed until a rollable dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and roll it out thinly, to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a pizza cutter or a knife to slice the dough into 1-inch squares.
- Gently drop the dumpling squares into the hot liquid around the edges of the slow cooker and give everything a stir.
- Replace the lid and continue to cook on high for a minimum of 45 minutes.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use homemade chicken stock instead of canned broth. The dumplings are done when they are cooked through and no longer taste of raw flour.
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