Sauté the VegetablesIn a skillet, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in a little butter or oil until they begin to soften. Add the mushrooms at the end of the sauté and cook for a few more minutes. This step is optional, but it gives the filling better flavor and helps make sure the vegetables are tender.
Add Ingredients to the Crockpot Add the chicken, chicken broth, sautéed vegetables, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, thyme, parsley, black pepper, and salt to your crockpot.You can use whole chicken breasts and shred them later, or cube the chicken before adding it to the crockpot if you need it to cook faster.
Cook Until TenderCover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. If using cubed chicken, check it earlier since it may cook faster than whole chicken breasts.
Shred or Stir the Chicken
If using whole chicken breasts, remove the chicken from the crockpot, shred it with two forks, and return it to the crockpot.
If using cubed chicken, you may not need to shred it. Just stir the filling well.
Add the Creamy Ingredients Stir in the cream cheese until melted and smooth. Add the heavy cream and stir until combined.
Add the Peas Add the frozen peas during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking. This keeps them from getting too soft and helps them keep their color.
Adjust the FillingIf the filling is thinner than you would like, let it cook uncovered for a little while, or add a little extra cream cheese to thicken it.