Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe
There’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a steaming bowl of Chicken and Dumpling Soup on a chilly night. This comforting classic brings together tender chicken, pillowy dumplings, and aromatic vegetables in a savory broth that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. Whether you’re fighting off a cold or just want a bowl of something cozy and nostalgic, this Chicken and Dumpling Soup is a family favorite that always delivers on flavor, comfort, and pure satisfaction.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity—each ingredient has a purpose, from building the flavorful base to creating those fluffy dumplings everyone loves. Gather these kitchen staples and you’re well on your way to a pot of deliciousness!
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps soften the veggies right at the start.
- Onion: Brings a sweet and savory backbone to the soup.
- Carrots: Offer a touch of natural sweetness and a pop of color.
- Celery: Gives a gentle crunch and classic soup flavor.
- Garlic: Infuses the broth with irresistible aroma and depth.
- Dried thyme: Lends an earthy, comforting herbal note.
- Dried parsley: Adds freshness and a hint of green.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning every layer of the soup.
- Chicken broth: Provides the base for that soul-soothing flavor.
- Shredded cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken works wonders for quick prep and tender bites.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for the soft, fluffy dumplings.
- Baking powder: Gives the dumplings their lift and pillowy texture.
- Salt (for dumplings): Seasons the dumplings just right.
- Milk: Moistens the dough for perfectly tender dumplings.
- Butter (melted): Adds richness and flavor to the dumplings.
- Chopped parsley (optional): For a fresh, colorful garnish.
How to Make Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Sauté everything for about five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies begin to soften and the kitchen fills with that irresistibly savory aroma. This first step lays the groundwork for a deeply flavorful Chicken and Dumpling Soup.
Step 2: Add Herbs and Seasoning
Once the vegetables are softened, stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried parsley, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Let those herbs sizzle for a minute or so—they’ll bloom in the oil and give the soup its signature savory-herbal base.
Step 3: Build the Broth
Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle boil. This is where the flavors really start mingling. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes. The vegetables will continue to soften, and the broth will soak up every bit of flavor from the aromatics.
Step 4: Add the Chicken
Now stir in your shredded cooked chicken. If you’re using rotisserie chicken, this is the easiest step ever! Let the soup simmer for another five minutes—just enough to warm the chicken through and meld everything together.
Step 5: Make the Dumplings
While the soup simmers, grab a medium mixing bowl and combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk and melted butter until a sticky, cohesive dough forms. Don’t worry if it looks a little rustic—these dumplings are meant to be homey and comforting, not perfect spheres.
Step 6: Cook the Dumplings
Drop heaping spoonfuls of the dough gently into the simmering soup. Try to keep them evenly sized so they cook at the same rate. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let the dumplings steam for 15 minutes. Resist the urge to peek—keeping the lid on is the secret to light, fluffy dumplings that make Chicken and Dumpling Soup so special.
Step 7: Check and Serve
After 15 minutes, check a dumpling by cutting it open—it should be fluffy and cooked through, with no raw dough in the middle. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you like, then ladle your Chicken and Dumpling Soup into big bowls and serve piping hot.
How to Serve Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Garnishes
A sprinkling of freshly chopped parsley adds a burst of color and a hint of freshness to each bowl. You can also add a grind of black pepper or a dash of smoked paprika for a bit of extra flair. If you love a touch of richness, a swirl of cream on top is another delicious option.
Side Dishes
This soup is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it pairs beautifully with crusty bread or warm buttermilk biscuits for dunking. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is also a great way to round out the meal and add a refreshing contrast to the comforting Chicken and Dumpling Soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve Chicken and Dumpling Soup in individual oven-safe bowls and top with a sprinkle of cheese, then broil for a minute or two for a bubbly, golden finish. Or try ladling the soup into hollowed-out sourdough bread bowls—guaranteed to impress guests and turn dinner into something extra special!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover Chicken and Dumpling Soup cool to room temperature, then transfer it to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making those leftovers even more crave-worthy!
Freezing
While the soup base freezes well, dumplings can sometimes change texture after thawing. If you want to freeze, consider making the soup without the dumplings and adding fresh dumplings when you reheat. Store the cooled soup in freezer-safe containers for up to three months.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. If you’re reheating with dumplings, do so slowly to avoid them falling apart. You can add a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened up in the fridge.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add even more flavor and tend to be extra juicy and tender. Just shred or chop them before adding to the soup.
What’s the best way to make the dumplings fluffier?
The key is not to overmix the dough and to keep the lid on while they cook. Overmixing can make dumplings dense, so just stir until everything comes together and let them steam undisturbed.
Can I add other vegetables to the soup?
Of course! Feel free to toss in peas, corn, or diced potatoes for extra color and heartiness. Just add them with the chicken so they have time to cook through.
Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute plant-based milk and use olive oil instead of butter in the dumplings. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I know when the dumplings are fully cooked?
Cut one open after 15 minutes of steaming—if it’s fluffy and no longer doughy in the center, your dumplings are ready to enjoy!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to bring this Chicken and Dumpling Soup to your table! It’s the kind of recipe that brings smiles, warms hearts, and fills hungry bellies. Give it a try, make it your own, and share it with the people you love—you might just find it becomes a new favorite in your kitchen too.
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Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This comforting Chicken and Dumpling Soup combines tender shredded chicken with soft, fluffy homemade dumplings in a flavorful broth enriched with fresh vegetables and herbs. Perfect for cozy days, this hearty soup is easy to prepare and offers a satisfying, wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Dumplings Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Broth: Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a boil.
- Simmer Soup: Reduce heat to low and simmer the broth and vegetables for 10 minutes to meld flavors together.
- Add Chicken: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and simmer for another 5 minutes to warm through.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter until a sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to keep dumplings tender.
- Cook Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering soup. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and cook without lifting the lid for 15 minutes. This ensures the dumplings steam and become fluffy.
- Check Dumplings and Serve: Test one dumpling by cutting it open to ensure it is cooked through and fluffy inside. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot for a hearty meal.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save preparation time.
- For a richer broth, add a splash of cream before serving.
- To achieve fluffier dumplings, avoid overmixing the dough and keep the lid on during cooking.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
