Chicken and Dumplings with Cucumber and Onion Salad

Name: Chicken and Dumplings with Cucumber and Onion Salad
Ingredients: 1½–1¾ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs; ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning, divided; 4 garlic cloves, 2 halved and 2 grated; 2 medium onions, 1 thickly sliced and 1 diced; 4 celery stalks, 2 sliced into thirds crosswise and 2 diced; 8 cups chicken stock; Leaves from 3–5 thyme sprigs; 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 2–3 tablespoons vegetable shortening, bacon grease, unsalted butter, or lard; ¾ cup buttermilk; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 carrots, diced; Salt and ground black pepper to taste; Splash Maggi seasoning (optional); 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional); 3–4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar; 2 tablespoons water; 1 teaspoon honey; 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced; ½ medium sweet onion, thinly sliced; 2–3 dill sprigs, chopped