Heartwarming Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Comfort wraps you in a warm embrace with this hearty chicken and dumplings soup that promises pure culinary bliss.

Winter evenings call for something truly special and soul-warming.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic recipe, passing down cherished techniques through love-filled kitchens.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among soft, pillowy dumplings floating in a rich, velvety broth that whispers home-cooked comfort.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected spices dance through each spoonful, creating layers of deep, satisfying flavor.

Every bite tells a story of tradition and warmth, inviting you to savor a bowl of pure nostalgia.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a magnificent meal that will become your new cold-weather companion.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

All Ingredients For Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Butter: Adds rich, velvety flavor and helps sauté vegetables smoothly.
• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix blend creates a robust, aromatic foundation for the soup.
• Garlic: Provides deep, warming undertone and enhances overall taste profile.
• Chicken Broth: Delivers essential liquid base with hearty chicken essence.
• Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbaceous notes that complement chicken perfectly.
• Bay Leaf: Releases subtle, complex background flavor during simmering.
• Shredded Chicken: Protein-packed star of the dish, offering tender, satisfying texture.

• Flour: Provides structure and creates soft, pillowy dumpling texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy dumplings with gentle rise.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Milk: Adds moisture and contributes to tender dumpling consistency.
• Melted Butter: Introduces rich flavor and helps bind ingredients.

• Heavy Cream or Milk: Creates luxurious, silky soup texture.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and herbal freshness.
• Salt and Pepper: Final seasoning to personalize and elevate soup's taste.

Soup-Making Tools For Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for cooking the entire soup and simmering ingredients.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing dumpling batter ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for smoothly combining flour and preventing lumps in broth.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir vegetables and mix ingredients evenly.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, and celery.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup neatly into individual bowls.

How To Simmer Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Veggie Harmony

In a cozy pot, dance butter and chopped vegetables together. Let onions, carrots, and celery mingle and soften, creating a fragrant base that whispers comfort. Invite garlic to join the party, letting its aroma bloom briefly.

• Broth Symphony

Sprinkle flour into the vegetable landscape, stirring gently to create a silky foundation. Pour chicken broth slowly, transforming the mixture into a smooth, velvety canvas.

• Flavor Journey

Welcome shredded chicken and herbs into the warming liquid. Let everything bubble gently, developing deep, rich flavors that speak of home and warmth.

• Dumpling Magic

In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients with milk and butter. Mix tenderly until just united – no need for aggressive stirring. The batter should look delicate and promising.

• Cloudy Pillows

Gently drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter into the simmering soup. Cover and let them transform into puffy, tender clouds floating across the surface.

• Creamy Finish

Swirl in cream, creating a luxurious, silky texture. Season with salt and pepper, letting each ingredient sing its own delicious note.

• Comfort Served

Ladle the soup into waiting bowls. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Enjoy this hug in a bowl.

Comfort Tips For Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Pro Dumpling-Making Tricks: Add finely chopped chives or parsley directly into dumpling batter for extra herbal flavor and visual appeal.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in both soup base and dumplings. Ensure baking powder is also gluten-free to accommodate sensitive diets.
• Protein Power Boost: Swap chicken with rotisserie, turkey, or plant-based protein alternatives like shredded jackfruit for diverse dietary preferences. Each substitute offers unique texture and nutrition profile.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use reduced-sodium chicken broth and control salt content by adding minimal seasoning. Fresh herbs like thyme and parsley can enhance flavor without increasing sodium levels.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Substitute heavy cream with unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk. Replace butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine to create a creamy, allergen-friendly version of the classic comfort soup.

Best Way To Serve Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the rich, creamy broth. The bread adds delightful texture and helps capture every last drop of delicious soup.
• Cozy Side Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with crisp lettuce, cucumber slices, and a tangy vinaigrette. This fresh counterpoint balances the hearty warmth of the chicken and dumplings.
• Herb Garden Sprinkle: Chop fresh parsley, thyme, or chives for a vibrant green garnish. These herbs brighten the soup's flavor and add a pop of color to your comforting meal.
• Comfort Wine Pairing: Select a light white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy soup. The wine's subtle notes enhance the dish's rich, satisfying profile without overwhelming the delicate flavors.

Storage Tips For Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare the soup base and chicken ahead of time, storing them separately in airtight containers for quick assembly during busy weeknights.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store the soup and dumplings separately to maintain optimal texture. Keep the soup in a sealed container for 3-4 days and refrigerate dumplings separately to prevent sogginess.
• Freezing Techniques: Freeze the soup base without dumplings for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently, adding fresh dumplings just before serving to ensure perfect texture.
• Portion Control Magic: Divide the soup into individual meal-sized containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners. Label with the date and contents to track freshness and make meal planning a breeze.

Hearty Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Southern-style chicken & dumplings soup brings comfort to chilly nights with tender meat and pillowy dumplings. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, offering warm satisfaction you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.5 liters / 51 fl oz) chicken broth
• 2 cups (300 g / 10.5 oz) cooked shredded chicken
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream or whole milk
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: Melt butter in a large pot and sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness, creating a flavor-rich base.
2. Liquid Transformation: Dust vegetables with flour to create a smooth roux, then gradually whisk in chicken broth until the mixture becomes silky and lump-free. Introduce thyme and bay leaf to infuse depth and complexity.
3. Protein Integration: Fold shredded chicken into the simmering liquid, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop rich, harmonious flavors over gentle heat.
4. Dumpling Crafting: Mix flour, baking powder, and salt, then incorporate milk and melted butter to form a delicate, airy batter with a light, cloud-like consistency.
5. Dumpling Steaming: Delicately drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter into the bubbling soup, covering the pot to allow the dumplings to expand and transform into fluffy, tender clouds.
6. Final Refinement: Stir in heavy cream to enhance the soup’s luxurious texture, adjust seasoning, and remove the bay leaf to ensure a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
7. Presentation: Ladle the comforting soup into warm bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley to add a vibrant, herbaceous finish that elevates the entire dish.

Notes

• Prevent Lumpy Roux: Whisk flour into melted butter slowly and consistently, ensuring smooth incorporation without clumping for a silky soup base.
• Dumpling Texture Trick: Avoid overmixing dumpling batter; mix just until ingredients combine to maintain light, airy texture and prevent dense dumplings.
• Control Soup Consistency: Adjust chicken broth quantity based on desired thickness, adding more liquid if soup becomes too dense during cooking.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of white wine or a dash of herbs like rosemary to elevate the soup’s complexity and aromatic profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg