5 Ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings – Easy Slow Cooker Comfort

When life’s moving a hundred miles an hour, dinner shouldn’t be the thing that slows you down. That’s where this recipe for 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings comes in. It’s cozy, easy, and downright delicious—all without hovering over the stove. Whether you’re navigating after-school chaos or just want something hearty without the hassle, this dish nails it. In this article, you’ll get the full how-to, ingredient breakdown, mistake-proof tips, and answers to your biggest crockpot dumpling questions. Let’s make dinner doable—one slow cooker at a time.

Why This 5 Ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe Works

A Busy Mom’s Life and the Power of a Slow Cooker

Let me take you back to a Tuesday night in October. Three kids had practice, one had a school project meltdown, and I had exactly 15 minutes to figure out dinner. That was the night this 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe was born in my kitchen. I tossed a few things into the slow cooker, crossed my fingers, and hoped for magic. By dinnertime, it was more than edible—it was comforting, creamy, and gobbled up without a single complaint (rare in a house of six).

At 2to5ingredients, I live for meals like this—ones that work on real weeknights with real schedules. This one ticks all the boxes: five affordable ingredients, no browning or sautéing, and it slow-cooks while you’re busy living. It’s now on rotation alongside favorites like my Slow Cooker Garlic Ranch Chicken and 3-Ingredient BBQ Chicken.

If you’ve never made 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings, think of it as a shortcut to cozy comfort food. No fuss, no extra dishes—just a one-pot wonder that handles dinner while you tackle the day.

The Magic of Minimal Ingredients with Maximum Comfort

Here’s the thing—recipes don’t need 20 steps and a dozen spices to taste amazing. This one proves it. All you need is chicken (boneless, skinless thighs or breasts), canned biscuits, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and a little seasoning (salt, pepper, maybe garlic powder if you stretch the rules). That’s it.

The chicken simmers in broth until it’s tender enough to shred with a spoon. The soup creates a rich base, and the biscuit dough, added near the end, turns into pillowy dumplings right on top. Every bite is thick, cozy, and satisfying.

This 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe speaks the same love language as those simple, hearty recipes you’ll find throughout my blog—from Easy 5-Ingredient Pot Pie Bake to Simple Creamy Chicken and Rice. It’s proof that fewer ingredients can still deliver full flavor.

So whether you’re feeding picky eaters or prepping dinner before the evening rush, this 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings dish keeps it simple—and that’s exactly the kind of win we’re here for.

What You’ll Need and How to Make It Right

Essential Ingredients for Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

You won’t need a long grocery list for this recipe—just five humble ingredients, each doing a lot of heavy lifting. What’s great is how flexible it can be without overcomplicating dinner. Let’s break down what goes into this classic 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings meal:

1. Boneless, skinless chicken – Either thighs or breasts work great. Thighs offer more flavor and tenderness, but breasts are leaner and still get wonderfully soft in the crockpot.
2. Canned biscuit dough – This is your shortcut to light, fluffy dumplings. Just cut the dough into pieces and drop it in near the end.
3. Cream of chicken soup – This canned staple makes the base rich and creamy, adding depth with zero extra work.
4. Chicken broth – Adds moisture and flavor. Use low-sodium if you want more control over salt.
5. Salt and pepper – Okay, technically two ingredients, but we’ll count them as one “seasoning” bundle to stay honest to the “5 ingredients” promise.

Here’s a quick table comparing options for a few ingredients:

You’ll find more meal ideas like this in my 5-Ingredient Recipes and other Pantry-Friendly Dinners, where simple meets smart.

Step-by-Step: Making Chicken and Dumplings in a Slow Cooker

Ready to make it? Here’s how to pull off the perfect 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings every time:

1. Layer your ingredients: Place the chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth and spoon the cream of chicken soup on top. Don’t stir.
2. Season lightly with salt and pepper. You can toss in garlic powder or thyme if you want, but it’s great as-is.
3. Set it and forget it: Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours. The chicken should be fork-tender.
4. Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot with two forks. Stir everything together at this point.
5. Add the dumplings: Cut canned biscuit dough into small pieces (like quarters) and place them on top of the chicken mixture. Push them down slightly into the liquid but don’t stir.
6. Cook 1 more hour on high with the lid on. The dumplings will puff up as they cook through.

The simplicity of this 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe makes it perfect for weeknights or low-effort weekend dinners. If you’re cooking for a crowd or need more slow-cooked comfort food, check out my Chicken Crockpot Favorites and Busy Weeknight Meals. They follow the same principles: quick, minimal, and always family-friendly.

If you’ve been searching for a reliable, hearty, and kid-approved dinner, 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings delivers every single time.

Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes

How to Thicken Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

One of the most common questions I get about 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings is how to get that thick, creamy texture without adding more ingredients. It’s totally doable with what you’ve already got in the pot—you just need a little timing and technique.

The easiest trick? After you shred the chicken and give everything a stir, remove the lid for the last 30–45 minutes of cooking. This helps the liquid reduce slightly, thickening the broth naturally.

Still too runny? Try one of these tricks:

• Mash a few biscuit dumplings gently into the broth before serving.
• Use a cornstarch slurry: Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water. Stir it in with the dumplings and let it cook the final hour.
• Don’t over-stir during the final cook. The dumplings need steam to puff up and become soft pillows of goodness.

This trick also works well in recipes like my Creamy 3-Ingredient Chicken, where you want thick texture without extra steps. For more hacks like this, check out my Cooking Tips section.

Dumpling Texture Problems: Mushy or Dry?

No one wants soggy or tough dumplings. The key to fluffy biscuit dumplings is knowing when to add them—and when to walk away. In this 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe, timing is everything.

Here’s what works best:

• Add the biscuit pieces one hour before serving, not earlier. If they cook too long, they’ll fall apart or get gummy.
• Don’t stir them into the mixture. Place them on top, press gently into the broth, and put the lid back on.
• Cook on high after adding the biscuits. This ensures they rise and cook through in just an hour.

A good dumpling should be firm enough to hold its shape but soft enough to tear with a spoon. If they’re undercooked, give them 10–15 more minutes with the lid on.

I learned early on that the dumpling step can make or break your 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings. Rushing it will get you soggy bites; letting it steam slowly brings that perfect balance of fluff and bite.

You’ll use this trick again and again in recipes like 2-Ingredient Dumpling Soup, where the same principle—timing and steam—keeps it simple and satisfying.

Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time making 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings, knowing these small tips will help you get it right every single time.

Serving Tips, Storage, and Freezing Leftovers

This dish is hearty enough to stand on its own, but if you want to round it out, here are a few go-to pairings:

• Steamed green beans
• Buttery rolls
• A crisp garden salad

The creamy, savory base of this 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings makes it super versatile and crowd-pleasing.

Got leftovers? Lucky you. Let the meal cool, then store it in an airtight container:

• Fridge: Up to 3 days
• Freezer: Up to 2 months (freeze before adding biscuit dough for best results)

To reheat, thaw overnight if frozen, then warm on the stovetop or microwave. Add a splash of broth to revive the sauce if needed.

Doubling the recipe for meal prep? Just increase the ingredients proportionally—but keep the dumpling step the same: one hour on high, lid on, no stirring. This makes 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings a perfect meal prep star, especially when you’re cooking for picky eaters or busy weeknights.

With a freezer stash of 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings on hand, you’ll always have dinner ready without extra stress. For more batch-cook favorites, visit my Freezer-Friendly Recipes and Leftover Chicken Ideas.

5 Ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

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This 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe is creamy, comforting, and easy—perfect for busy nights or lazy weekends.

• Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (cut into small pieces)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth and spoon cream of chicken soup over the top. Do not stir.
2. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
3. Shred chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks and stir to combine.
4. Add biscuit pieces on top, gently pressing them into the liquid. Do not stir.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.

Notes

To thicken the broth, cook uncovered for the final 30 minutes or mash a few dumplings into the soup. Great with green beans or a side salad. Freeze without biscuit dough for up to 2 months.

• Author: Sarah Hale
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours
• Category: Slow Cooker
• Method: Crockpot
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 870mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Whether it’s a cold night, a busy school day, or you’re simply tired of dishes, this 5 ingredient crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe is the slow-cooked comfort food you didn’t know you needed. It’s proof that simple can still mean delicious—and that dinner doesn’t have to be hard to be homemade.

This recipe, like everything at 2to5ingredients, was born in my real kitchen on a real Tuesday. And now, it’s a weeknight hero in households just like yours. Try it out, make it your own, and maybe even stash a batch in the freezer. You’ll be so glad you did.