Chicken & red wine casserole with herby dumplings

INGREDIENTS

• 6 part-boned chicken breasts or boned for slow cooker (see below)
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 onions , each peeled and cut into 8 wedges
• 200g smoked bacon lardons
• 3 garlic cloves , peeled and sliced
• 300g large flat mushrooms , sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp redcurrant sauce
• 3 strips of peeled orange zest
• 300ml red wine
• 300ml chicken stock
• 100g self-raising flour , plus extra for dusting
• 100g fresh white breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
• 140g butter , cubed
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to serve
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley , chopped
• 2 medium eggs , lightly beaten