Heat oil in a thick-bottomed Dutch Oven or Stock Pot
Fry the chicken in two batches, 5 minutes per side.
Remove chicken and put aside
Add the celery, carrots, onions, garlic and thyme to the hot oil
Stir until softened then add the chicken stock, bay leaves and chicken thighs (with any juices)
Simmer for 20 – 30 minutes till the chicken is cooked
Remove the thighs and shred the chicken with a pair of forks.
In a bowl, whisk the remaining 2 cups of stock with 1 cup of flour until smooth
Gently pour that mixture into the pot and stir until the flour cooks up and the sauce thickens. Repeat until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
10) In a bowl, mix the wet and dry dumpling ingredients
11) Drop 8 – 10 spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the top of the chicken mixture in the pot, cover and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes, until the dumplings are fully cooked.
12) Enjoy!