Hearty Chicken And Dumplings: Potatoes, A Crockpot Delight!

Chicken and dumplings is a popular comfort food, especially during the cold winter months. The recipe typically includes protein, veggies, and carbs, with potatoes being a key ingredient. The number of potatoes to be added to the crockpot can vary depending on their size. For example, a recipe might call for two medium-sized potatoes cut into 1/2-inch pieces or 10 baby potatoes, quartered. Some recipes also include additional vegetables such as carrots, onions, celery, and peas, along with seasonings to taste.

How many potatoes to add

When making crockpot chicken and dumplings, the number of potatoes you add depends on the size of the potatoes and your crockpot's quart size. For a 3-6 quart crockpot, you can use two medium-sized potatoes cut into 0.5-inch pieces or ten quartered baby potatoes. If you're using canned diced potatoes, the amount you add depends on your preference for potatoes relative to the other ingredients.

The potatoes are added to the crockpot with carrots, celery, onion, peas, garlic, salt, parsley, thyme, and pepper. Some recipes also include frozen peas, which are added at the end with the dumplings so they don't overcook.

After adding the vegetables, place the chicken breasts on top and pour in the chicken broth. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it directly in the crockpot and add in the dumplings.

The dumplings are made from biscuit dough, which is shredded and added to the crockpot 30 minutes before serving. The dough should cook in the soup for at least 30 minutes until it's no longer raw.

The best type of potatoes to use

Chicken and dumplings is a complete meal with protein, veggies, and carbs. The type and amount of potatoes you use in your crockpot chicken and dumplings can vary depending on your preference. Here are some options:

Medium-Sized Potatoes

You can use two medium-sized potatoes cut into 1/2-inch pieces. This will provide a substantial base for your dish, absorbing the flavours of the other ingredients while adding their own creamy texture and earthy taste.

Baby Potatoes

Alternatively, you can opt for ten baby potatoes, quartered. This variety will lend a more delicate and sweet flavour to the dish. The small size also means they will cook faster, ensuring they don't become overly soft or mushy.

Mashed Potatoes

If you're looking to make potato dumplings, mashed potatoes are a great option. They provide a soft and fluffy texture to the dumplings. You can mix them with the dough ingredients to create a cohesive mixture.

Shredded Potatoes

Shredded potatoes are another option for potato dumplings. They add a denser texture to the dumplings. Make sure to remove as much liquid as possible from the shredded potatoes before adding them to the dry ingredients.

The type of potato you use can also depend on what is readily available and your personal preference. For example, you might prefer a waxier or starchier variety, such as a Yukon Gold or Russet potato.

Whether to peel the potatoes

Whether or not you peel the potatoes before adding them to your crockpot chicken and dumplings depends on a few factors, including personal preference, recipe specifics, and desired texture and appearance. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

Personal Preference and Recipe Specifics:

Some recipes for crockpot chicken and dumplings may specify whether to peel the potatoes or not. If you are following a particular recipe, check if it includes any instructions regarding peeling the potatoes. If it does, follow those instructions for the best results.

If there are no specific instructions, it comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer to peel potatoes before using them in any dish, while others don't mind leaving the peels on. If you don't have a strong preference either way, you can consider the following factors:

Texture and Appearance:

Leaving the potato peels on can add a slight texture contrast to the dish. The peels can become soft during the cooking process, but they may still provide a subtle bite or chewiness to the potatoes. If you prefer a completely uniform texture in your dish, peeling the potatoes is a better option.

Potato peels can also affect the appearance of the dish. Leaving the peels on can add a pop of colour and visual interest, especially if you use red-skinned potatoes. If you prefer a more uniform look or are creating a dish for a specific presentation, peeling the potatoes will result in a smoother and more consistent appearance.

Nutrition and Convenience:

Potato peels are edible and contain fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Leaving the peels on can slightly increase the nutritional value of the dish. However, if you plan to mash or blend the potatoes as part of the recipe, peeling them first might be more convenient to achieve the desired consistency.

In summary, whether you peel the potatoes for crockpot chicken and dumplings depends on your recipe, personal preference, and the desired texture, appearance, and nutritional profile of the final dish. You can choose to peel them for a smoother texture and more uniform appearance or leave the peels on for added nutrition and a slight texture contrast. Ultimately, both options are viable, and you can choose the one that best suits your preferences and cooking goals.

How to cut the potatoes

Preparing the potatoes is a simple process. First, wash the potatoes under running water to remove any dirt. For this recipe, you can use two medium-sized potatoes or ten baby potatoes. Using a sharp knife, cut the medium-sized potatoes into 1/2-inch pieces. If you are using baby potatoes, quarter them. Try to cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking.

If you want to add a bit of extra flavour, you can parboil the potatoes before adding them to the crockpot. Parboiling will also help the potatoes absorb the flavours from the other ingredients. Simply add the potatoes to a pot of boiling water and cook for 5-10 minutes. Then, drain the water and set the potatoes aside until you are ready to add them to the crockpot.

You can also choose to cut the potatoes into smaller or larger pieces, depending on your preference. Cutting them into smaller pieces will result in softer potatoes that absorb more of the flavours from the crockpot. Larger pieces will retain their shape and texture, providing a more distinct potato flavour.

Additionally, you can season the potatoes before adding them to the crockpot. Simply drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the potatoes and sprinkle with your desired seasonings. Some popular options include rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, or paprika. Toss the potatoes gently to ensure they are evenly coated.

Finally, if you want to add a bit of colour and texture to your dish, you can choose to roast the potatoes before adding them to the crockpot. Simply toss the potatoes in olive oil and your desired seasonings, spread them on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Whether to cook the potatoes separately

Whether or not you should cook the potatoes separately depends on a few factors, including your personal preference for texture, the specific recipe you are following, and the type of potato you are using.

Some recipes suggest adding the potatoes directly to the crockpot or slow cooker along with the other vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and onions. This method allows the potatoes to absorb the flavours of the broth and other ingredients, resulting in a softer, more tender texture. However, cooking potatoes in the crockpot for an extended period can also make them mushy, especially if they are overcooked.

If you prefer your potatoes to have a firmer texture, you may want to consider cooking them separately. You can boil or steam the potatoes until they are just fork-tender, and then add them to the crockpot during the last hour of cooking. This way, they will still absorb some of the flavours from the crockpot, but retain their shape and texture.

Additionally, the type of potato you use can also impact your decision. Waxy potatoes, such as red or yellow potatoes, hold their shape better during prolonged cooking, so they are a good option if you want to cook them directly in the crockpot. On the other hand, starchy potatoes, like Russets, tend to break down more easily, so they may be better suited for separate cooking if you want to maintain their structure.

Ultimately, the decision to cook the potatoes separately or not is a matter of personal preference and the specific recipe you are following. If you want to ensure the potatoes have a firmer texture, separate cooking is a good option. However, if you prefer a softer, more flavourful potato, adding them directly to the crockpot is a convenient choice.

Frequently asked questions