Introduction
This is a traditional meal that will warm your heart and tantalize your taste buds. It is made of soft chicken, dumplings that float and a thick soup to leave you feeling full. This makes it ideal for family dinners or as a filling meal when the weather gets chilly. Additionally, one can use the crock pot to make it more conveniently without any stress.
Ingredients:
4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 medium onion, minced
2 cups of chicken broth
1 cup water
2 cans (10-12 oz each) any flavor condensed cream soup – I used reduced fat homemade cream of chicken.
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables comprises peas, carrots, corn and green beans.
2 cups biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)
2/3 cup milk
Instructions:
Getting the Chicken Ready:
Put the chicken breasts at the bottom of a crock pot.
Add chopped onions, chicken stock, water, cream of chicken soup, thyme, parsley and black pepper.
Cover and cook on low for about 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until cooked through and tender.
Separate the Chicken:
Take out the chicken breasts from the crock pot and pull apart with two forks.
Return shredded chicken to the crock pot.
Adding Vegetables:
Stir in frozen mixed vegetables.
Cover and cook on high for another half an hour
Making Dumplings:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine biscuit mix with milk to form a soft dough.
Mound spoonfuls of dough on top of the chicken mixture in crockpot
Cooking Dumplings:
Cover and cook on high heat for thirty to fourty-five minutes or until dumplings are cooked through as well as fluffy.
Serving and Storage Tricks:
Serving:
Serve while still hot, decorated with fresh parsley if so desired.
For a full meal, combine it with some simple greens or a crusty bread.
Storage:
Refrigerate: Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three days.
Freeze: For extended storage, freeze them in an air-tight container for around 3 months. Prior to reheating thaw them in the fridge.
Reheating:
Warm through by using microwave or stovetop on low heat.
Tips for Success:
Uniformity of Cooked Portions: Chicken breasts must have the same size for even cooking.
Dumplings: Do not open the lid when dumplings are being cooked so as to make them swell properly
Thick Broth: To thicken your broth (optionally), mix two tablespoons of cornstarch and cold water (2 tablespoons) stirring it into your crock-pot before you add dumplings.
Health Benefits:
Low-fat Protein: Chicken is a good source of low fat protein needed for growth and repair of muscles.
Veggies: The mixed veggies boost fiber content, provide vitamins and minerals too.
Decent Calorie Count: This dish has few calories per portion, limiting its comfort food status
Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories – 350
Protein – 25g
Carbohydrates – 40g
Fat – 10g
Fiber – 4g
Sodium -850mg
Variations and Substitutions:
Vegetables: Use fresh vegetables instead of frozen, adjusting the cooking time as necessary.
Spices: Sprinkle garlic powder or paprika for added taste.
Gluten-Free: Make use of gluten-free biscuit mix to cater for dietary restrictions.
Low-Sodium: Opt for low-sodium broth and soup to reduce the sodium content in your diet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: Is it okay if I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? A: Yes, Chicken thighs are also viable and tastier option. If necessary adjust the cooking time.
Q: Can I make this dish ahead? A: Yes, you can prepare the chicken and broth mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator. And then add dumplings before cooking and serving.
Q: How do I know when the dumplings are ready? A: The dumplings should be light and cooked all through without any doughy part inside.
Q: Can I include other herbs or spices? A: Of course! There is nothing wrong with adding some different types of herbs and spices to taste.
Conclusion:
It is quick to prepare Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings; ideal for those crazy weeknights. The dish will become everyone’s favorite with its tender chicken, delightful gravy and puffy dumplings.