Homemade Chicken And Dumpling Soup Recipe

Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that’s been warming hearts for generations. There’s something deeply satisfying about the combination of tender chicken, rich broth, and pillowy dumplings that melt in your mouth. Whether you’re curled up on a rainy day or looking for a meal that brings a sense of nostalgia, this soup does the trick every single time. And when it’s homemade, you get to control all the flavors, textures, and portions. Plus, it’s relatively easy to prepare and doesn’t require a ton of special skills or fancy ingredients.

So, grab a pot and let’s dive into this hearty and fulfilling homemade chicken and dumpling soup recipe. I’ll walk you through everything from what you’ll need in your kitchen to a few tips and variations to make the soup truly your own. Let’s get started!

Homemade Chicken And Dumpling Soup Recipe

This version of chicken and dumpling soup is designed to be incredibly flavorful, nourishing, and easy to make. It combines tender, shredded chicken with a rich, creamy broth and fluffy dumplings that soak up all the delicious flavors.

Ingredients Needed

For the Soup Base:

• Chicken Breasts or Thighs (2-3, boneless, skinless)
• Carrots (2 medium, sliced)
• Celery Stalks (2, chopped)
• Onion (1 medium, chopped)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Chicken Broth (6 cups, homemade or store-bought)
• Heavy Cream (1 cup for richness)
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)
• Bay Leaves (2 for depth of flavor)
• Fresh Thyme (1-2 sprigs)
• Olive Oil or Butter (for sautéing veggies)

For the Dumplings:

• All-Purpose Flour (1 ¾ cups)
• Baking Powder (2 teaspoons)
• Salt (½ teaspoon)
• Sugar (1 teaspoon)
• Milk (¾ cup)
• Egg (1 large)
• Butter (¼ cup, melted)

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare The Chicken And Soup Base

1. Cook The Chicken

   In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil or butter over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper, then brown them for about 5 minutes per side. Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Shred it into bite-sized pieces once it’s cool enough to handle.

2. Sauté The Veggies

   In the same pot, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the chopped onions, carrots, and celery over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Simmer The Broth

   Pour in the chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

4. Add Chicken And Cream

   Stir in the shredded chicken and heavy cream, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep the soup at a simmer, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the dumplings.

Step 2: Make The Dumplings

1. Mix The Dry Ingredients

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

2. Combine Wet Ingredients

   In a separate bowl, beat together the milk, egg, and melted butter.

3. Make The Dumpling Dough

   Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently to combine. The dough will be thick and a little lumpy-don’t overmix it.

Step 3: Cook The Dumplings

1. Drop The Dumplings

   Once the soup is simmering, use a spoon to drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough directly into the soup. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot. You want enough space for the dumplings to cook through and expand.

2. Simmer Until Fluffy

   Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’ve puffed up and a toothpick inserted into the center of a dumpling comes out clean.

Ingredient Insights

• Chicken

  While you can use either chicken breasts or thighs, thighs provide a juicier, more flavorful meat. Boneless skinless thighs are a great option because they shred easily and don’t have any tough bits. Chicken breasts are leaner, but if you’re looking for tenderness and depth of flavor, thighs are the way to go.

• Heavy Cream

  Heavy cream adds richness and a velvety texture to the broth. You can substitute half-and-half or even whole milk if you want to lighten it up a bit, but you’ll miss out on the luxurious mouthfeel that cream provides.

• Herbs

  Fresh thyme and bay leaves are classic herbs in chicken soup. Thyme imparts a subtle earthy flavor, and bay leaves contribute depth and complexity. Make sure to remove the bay leaves before serving.

• Dumpling Dough

  The dumplings should be soft and fluffy but not overly dense. The baking powder is the key to giving them lift. Also, resist the urge to stir the dough too much-lumps are your friend!

Expert Tips

• Broth

  For an even richer flavor, make your own chicken broth by simmering leftover chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs. This will elevate the taste of your soup to the next level. If you don’t have time for homemade broth, go for a high-quality store-bought version.

• Dumpling Size

  Be mindful of the size of your dumplings. They expand as they cook, so if you make them too large, they might not cook all the way through. Aim for about 1-2 tablespoons of dough per dumpling.

• Add Vegetables

  If you want to make the soup even heartier, feel free to add more vegetables like peas, corn, or parsnips. Just make sure they’re cut into small, even pieces for consistency in cooking time.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy Chicken And Dumplings

  Add a touch of heat by incorporating chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the soup. For an extra kick, serve with a dash of hot sauce.

• Vegetarian Dumplings

  For a vegetarian twist, skip the chicken and use vegetable broth. You can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, and add your favorite veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes, or zucchini.

• Herbed Dumplings

  Mix some fresh chopped parsley, rosemary, or dill into the dumpling dough for an aromatic twist. These herbs will infuse the dumplings with a fresh, bright flavor.

• Gluten-Free Dumplings

  If you’re avoiding gluten, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You may need to adjust the consistency of the dumpling dough to ensure it’s not too runny.

Final Words

Chicken and dumplings is truly the ultimate comfort food-hearty, satisfying, and full of flavor. The combination of tender chicken, rich broth, and fluffy dumplings makes it a dish that’s perfect for any season but especially cozy during the colder months. With a few simple ingredients and some love, you can make this soul-soothing meal in under an hour.

Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a cozy night in, or even a potluck, this recipe is sure to be a hit. It’s one of those dishes that brings people together, invites second helpings, and leaves everyone feeling warm and content. And with the tips and variations provided, you can easily tweak the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs.