Description
A heartwarming and classic Chicken and Dumpling Soup recipe featuring tender chicken pieces, thick and fluffy dumplings, and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for cozy family dinners or cold days, this comforting soup combines simple pantry staples with fresh herbs for a nourishing and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 to 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
Broth & Seasonings
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped (or rosemary/sage as variation)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (additional for garnish)
Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for variation)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 to 1 1/4 cups milk or buttermilk (or coconut/almond milk for dairy-free)
Instructions
- Prepare the Broth: Start by sautéing chopped onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in butter over medium heat until fragrant and softened, about 5-7 minutes. Then add chicken broth to the pot and bring it to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the simmering broth and cook until tender and fully cooked, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot, shred it finely with forks, then set aside while you prepare the dumplings.
- Make the Dumpling Dough: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and chopped fresh herbs. Stir in milk or buttermilk until just combined — be careful not to overmix to keep the dumplings light and fluffy.
- Add Dumplings to the Soup: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the simmering soup. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook through for about 15 minutes without lifting the lid, allowing them to steam perfectly.
- Final Touches: Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, season with salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- Use homemade chicken broth if possible for deeper flavor.
- Do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking to retain steam.
- Shred chicken finely for even distribution in soup.
- Season gradually and taste as you go to avoid over-salting.
- Add fresh herbs just before serving to preserve their brightness.
- Leftover dumplings refrigerate well but do not freeze.
- For freezing, omit dumplings and add fresh dumplings when reheating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soups & Stews
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken and dumpling soup, comfort food, chicken soup, dumplings, cozy meal, family dinner, easy soup recipe
