Best Ever Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Here’s a delicious recipe for the Best Ever Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings:

Ingredients:

For the chicken stew:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)

For the dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 3/4 cup milk

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine the chicken breasts or thighs, chicken broth, water, chopped onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
2. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
3. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
4. If using peas and heavy cream or half-and-half, stir them into the crockpot.
5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Stir in the milk until a soft dough forms.
7. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the surface of the chicken stew in the crockpot.
8. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
9. Serve the Best Ever Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

This comforting and hearty dish is perfect for cozy dinners on chilly evenings. The tender chicken and flavorful vegetables simmered in a rich broth with fluffy dumplings make for a satisfying and delicious meal that the whole family will love. Enjoy!