Slow cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings:

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken Stew:
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (optional for thickening)
• For the Dumplings:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the slow cooker:
   • Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, thyme, parsley, rosemary, and bay leaf to the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Add chicken and broth:
   • Place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and add the cream of chicken soup. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the stew:
   • Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
4. Shred the chicken:
   • Once the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine. If using frozen peas, add them now.
5. Thicken the stew (optional):
   • If you prefer a thicker stew, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water to form a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker and cook for another 15-20 minutes on high to thicken.

Prepare the Dumplings:

6. Make the dumpling dough:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk and melted butter until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
7. Add the dumplings:
   • Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the stew, covering it evenly. Make sure the dumplings are not submerged in the liquid.
8. Cook the dumplings:
   • Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for an additional 1 hour, or until the dumplings are fluffy and fully cooked through. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to ensure the dumplings cook properly.

Serving:

Once the dumplings are cooked, remove the bay leaf, and garnish the dish with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings!

This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner with minimal effort, as the slow cooker does most of the work, and the fluffy dumplings add the perfect finishing touch.