Slowcooker Chicken and Dumplings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 4-6 hours on low, 2-3 hours on high
Total Time: 4-6 hours on low, 2-3 hours on high
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Stew:

• 1.5 lbs (about 700g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen peas (added later)

For the Dumplings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For Finishing:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

Making the Chicken Stew:

1. Place Ingredients in Slow Cooker: In the slow cooker, combine chicken, chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
2. Cook on Low or High: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
3. Shred Chicken: About 30 minutes before serving, shred the cooked chicken using two forks.

Making the Dumplings:

1. Prepare Dumpling Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add melted butter and milk, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
2. Drop Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter onto the surface of the hot chicken stew. Cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.

Finishing Touches:

1. Add Peas and Heavy Cream: Stir in frozen peas and heavy cream.
2. Thicken if Desired: If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix 2 tablespoons of flour with a little water to create a slurry and stir it into the slow cooker. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until thickened.

Serving:

1. Serve Hot: Ladle the chicken and dumplings into bowls. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
2. Enjoy: Enjoy this comforting and hearty slow cooker chicken and dumplings!

Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other vegetables like corn or green beans, and adjust the seasoning according to your taste.