Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Comfort wraps around you like a warm blanket when chicken & dumplings soup enters the kitchen scene.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this hearty dish with its tender chunks of poultry and pillowy dough.

My grandmother’s recipe whispers generations of love through each spoonful.

Memories flood back from childhood winters spent huddled near the stove, anticipating that first comforting bite.

Soft, fluffy dumplings nestle among succulent chicken pieces in a rich, velvety broth that promises instant satisfaction.

Ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of warmth and nostalgia that feels like home.

You’ll want to savor every single spoonful of this soul-soothing classic.

Grab a bowl and let this soup transport you to moments of pure culinary bliss.

What Goes into Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Tender and shredded, providing hearty protein for the soup.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base creating a rich and flavorful foundation.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and warmth to the overall dish.

Dumpling Ingredients:

• Flour: Provides structure and bulk for the dumplings.
• Baking Powder: Helps dumplings rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential seasonings for enhancing flavor.

• Milk, Butter: Create moisture and richness in the dumpling dough.

Seasoning and Herbs:

• Thyme, Parsley: Fresh herbs that add brightness and herbal notes.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Provide additional layered seasoning.

• Chicken Broth: Creates a savory and comforting soup foundation.
• Olive Oil or Butter: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding richness.

How to Make Classic Chicken & Dumplings Soup at Home

Step 1: Create Flavor Foundation

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat

• Chopped onions
• Diced carrots
• Sliced celery

Sauté vegetables until they become soft and tender

Toss in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute

Pour chicken broth into the pot

Allow mixture to simmer gently for 10 minutes

Step 2: Craft Fluffy Dumplings

Grab a mixing bowl

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Garlic powder

Pour in milk and melted butter

Stir ingredients until just blended

Optional: Fold chopped fresh parsley into dough

Step 3: Elevate the Soup

Gently stir shredded chicken into simmering broth

• Dried thyme
• Chopped parsley
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed

Step 4: Add Pillowy Dumplings

Use a spoon to drop dumpling dough into soup

Space dumplings evenly

Cover pot with lid

Cook for approximately 15 minutes

Wait until dumplings puff up and become fully cooked

Step 5: Serve with Love

Gently stir soup to distribute dumplings

Ladle into warm bowls

Garnish with extra parsley

Enjoy this soul-warming meal surrounded by comfort and warmth

Tips for Fluffy Dumplings and Flavorful Broth

• Master the Dumpling Texture: Mix dumpling ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense dumplings that can ruin the soup's delicate balance.
• Perfect Chicken Selection: Use rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken for deeper, more complex flavor compared to plain boiled chicken.
• Control Soup Consistency: Add extra broth if the soup becomes too thick during cooking, ensuring a silky, comforting texture that coats each spoonful.
• Herb Enhancement Trick: Chop fresh parsley finely to distribute flavor evenly and create a vibrant green accent throughout the soup.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and verify baking powder is gluten-free for celiac-friendly version.

Best Storage and Reheating Tips for Chicken & Dumplings

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate dumplings from the liquid to prevent them from becoming soggy.
• Carefully transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months, avoiding storing dumplings with the soup.
• Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick and has absorbed extra liquid.
• Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then warm slowly on the stovetop. Stir frequently to maintain the soup's creamy texture and prevent scorching.

What to Serve with Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Select a light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the soup's creamy texture and cut through its richness.
• Grab a warm, artisan sourdough loaf to soak up the flavorful broth and add a delightful crunch to each bite.
• Toss a light, tangy salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the soup's hearty warmth.
• Enjoy a warm mug of spiced apple cider to echo the soup's comforting flavors and add a touch of sweetness to the meal.

Ways to Switch Up Your Chicken & Dumpling Flavors

• Gluten-Free Dumpling Delight: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend using almond or rice flour, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy the soup without compromising taste.
• Dairy-Free Comfort Version: Substitute milk with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk, and use dairy-free butter alternative to create a creamy soup suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Low-Carb Chicken Soup Alternative: Skip traditional dumplings and use cauliflower florets or zucchini rounds as a lighter, vegetable-based replacement that maintains the soup's hearty essence.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Swap chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or jackfruit, using vegetable broth and adding extra herbs to create a protein-rich meatless version of the classic soup.

Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup for Slow-Simmered Comfort

• Embrace the simplicity of this heartwarming recipe that transforms basic ingredients into a soul-satisfying meal.
• Prepare this dish with minimal culinary skills, making it perfect for beginners and experienced home cooks alike. The straightforward steps ensure a stress-free cooking experience that delivers maximum flavor.
• Streamline your kitchen cleanup by using a single pot for the entire cooking process. From sautéing vegetables to simmering chicken and dropping dumplings, this recipe minimizes dishes and maximizes convenience.
• Delight everyone at the dinner table with a classic comfort food that appeals to all ages. The tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and rich broth create a universally loved meal that brings family together with every spoonful.

Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken & dumplings soup wraps comfort in a bowl, blending tender chicken and pillowy dumplings into a soul-warming Southern classic. Rich broth and herb-infused dough invite you to savor each spoonful of homestyle goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 cups (300 g / 10.5 oz) cooked shredded chicken

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Soup Base and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• 6 cups (1.5 liters / 48 fl oz) chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream or whole milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Dumplings:

• 1 cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil or butter in a spacious pot, creating a flavorful foundation for the soup. Gently sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery until they soften and release their aromatic essence.
2. Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable medley, allowing its pungent notes to permeate the mixture for a brief moment.
3. Stream chicken broth into the pot, bringing the ingredients to a gentle simmer. Let the liquid meld and develop depth for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Prepare the dumpling mixture by combining flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Create a smooth integration of dry ingredients.
5. Pour milk and melted butter into the flour mixture, stirring until a thick, cohesive dough forms. Incorporate fresh parsley for an additional layer of herbaceous flavor.
6. Fold shredded cooked chicken into the simmering soup, introducing additional seasonings like thyme, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust the flavor profile to personal preference.
7. Carefully drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the bubbling liquid, ensuring ample spacing for even cooking and expansion.
8. Cover the pot and allow dumplings to steam and rise for approximately 15 minutes, transforming into pillowy, fully cooked morsels.
9. Delicately stir the soup, ensuring dumplings are distributed evenly. Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with additional fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Substitute gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version, ensuring the dumplings remain light and fluffy without compromising texture.
• Consider using bone broth instead of regular chicken broth to boost nutritional content and add deeper, richer flavor to the soup base.
• Experiment with adding herbs like rosemary or sage to transform the traditional recipe and create unique flavor profiles that complement the classic chicken and dumplings.
• Save time by using rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken strips for a quick weeknight meal without sacrificing taste or comfort food satisfaction.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg