Homemade Chicken Dumpling Soup – A Cozy Comfort Food Recipe
This homemade chicken dumpling soup is the perfect comfort food! Featuring tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a rich, flavorful broth, this classic recipe is easy to make and perfect for a cozy meal. Whether you're looking for a warm dish on a chilly night or a nourishing meal when feeling under the weather, this soup delivers delicious flavor in every bite.
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or stockpot
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon
- Ladle
Ingredients
- For the Soup:
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 carrots sliced
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken broth homemade or store-bought
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken rotisserie or boiled
- 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp thyme dried or fresh
- 1 tsp parsley chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup frozen peas optional
- ½ cup heavy cream optional for a creamy version
- For the Dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Soup
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot, heat butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, cooking for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the Broth & Chicken: Pour in chicken broth, then add shredded chicken, salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Optional: Stir in frozen peas and heavy cream for a richer soup.
- Step 2: Make the Dumplings
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in milk and melted butter, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Step 3: Cook the Dumplings
- Drop Dumplings into Soup: Using a spoon, drop small portions (about a tablespoon each) of the dumpling dough into the simmering soup.
- Cover and Cook: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let dumplings cook for 15 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid to allow steam to cook them properly.
- Check for Doneness: The dumplings should be fluffy and fully cooked inside. If still doughy, let them cook for a few more minutes.
- Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Remove the bay leaf and taste for seasoning.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with crusty bread or a side salad.
Notes
For a thicker soup: Add 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water before adding dumplings.
For extra flavor: Use bone-in chicken thighs for a richer broth.
Make it gluten-free: Substitute gluten-free flour for the dumplings.
Make it dairy-free: Use almond milk and olive oil instead of butter and milk.
For extra flavor: Use bone-in chicken thighs for a richer broth.
Make it gluten-free: Substitute gluten-free flour for the dumplings.
Make it dairy-free: Use almond milk and olive oil instead of butter and milk.