Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken Stew:
- Place the chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of the crockpot.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery.
- Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring that the chicken is fully covered. Add more broth if necessary.
- Season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Shred the Chicken:
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- Prepare the Dumpling Dough:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in the melted butter and milk until a soft dough forms.
- Thicken the Stew (Optional):
- If you prefer a thicker stew, mix the heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of flour until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot.
- Alternatively, you can just stir in the heavy cream for a creamier texture without thickening.
- Add the Dumplings:
- Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of the dumpling dough on top of the stew in the crockpot. Try to space them out a bit as they will expand during cooking.
- Cover and cook on high for another hour, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy. They should not be doughy on the inside.
- Serve:
- Once the dumplings are cooked, gently stir the stew to mix everything together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, ensuring everyone gets a good mix of chicken, vegetables, and dumplings.
Enjoy your delicious and comforting crockpot chicken and dumplings, a perfect meal for any day of the week!