Get ready for the ultimate bowl of comfort with this incredible Chicken & Dumplings Soup! This timeless classic features tender shredded chicken and fluffy, homemade dumplings swimming in a rich, savory broth infused with aromatic vegetables and herbs. It’s a deeply satisfying and wholesome meal, perfect for a chilly evening, a comforting sick-day remedy, or any time you crave the heartwarming taste of home.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Chicken & Dumplings Soup recipe is a true hug in a bowl, and I absolutely adore it for its unbeatable comfort factor and profound homemade flavor! What I love most is the way it develops such a rich, savory broth from simple ingredients like chicken broth and sautéed carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. The chicken, already cooked and shredded, adds convenience. But the real magic happens with those homemade dumplings! Grating the cold butter into the flour creates light, tender, and incredibly fluffy dumplings that float beautifully in the thickened soup. It’s a truly wholesome, hearty meal that feels like a labor of love but is surprisingly straightforward, bringing smiles and contented sighs to everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Chicken & Dumplings Soup:
- 4 tablespoons butter (unsalted recommended)
- 1/2 cup chopped onion (about 1 small-medium onion)
- 2-3 chopped carrots (about 1 cup chopped)
- 3 celery stalks, sliced (about 1 cup sliced)
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 3-4 cloves)
- 8 cups chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
- 2 pounds cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
To Thicken Soup:
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
For the Dumplings:
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter, cold (unsalted recommended)
- 3/4 cup milk (whole or 2% recommended)
Swaps and Notes
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is ideal for its convenience. Leftover roasted chicken or boiled chicken breasts/thighs, shredded, also work perfectly.
- Vegetables: Onion, carrots, and celery form the aromatic base. You can add other vegetables like frozen peas (stir in at the end).
- Chicken Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth allows you to control the saltiness.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, bay leaves, and dried parsley are classic. A pinch of dried thyme or poultry seasoning can also be added.
- Cornstarch Slurry: Mixing cornstarch with cold water before adding to hot liquid is crucial to prevent lumps and ensure smooth thickening.
- Dumpling Butter: Grating cold butter into the flour is a fantastic technique for tender, flaky dumplings.
- Dumpling Milk: Whole or 2% milk works well for the dumpling dough.
- Pot Size: An 8-quart pot or Dutch oven is recommended for ample space for the soup and dumplings.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Chicken & Dumplings Soup simmering!
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large 8-quart pot or Dutch oven, melt the 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2-3 chopped carrots, and 3 sliced celery stalks. Cook and stir until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add in the 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Broth & Chicken: Pour in the 8 cups chicken broth and add the 2 pounds shredded cooked chicken. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tablespoon dried parsley. Bring the soup mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow it to gently simmer while you prepare the dumplings.
- For Dumplings:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk well.
- Add Cold Butter: Using a cheese grater, grate the 3 tablespoons cold butter directly into the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a fork to gently stir and coat the butter pieces with flour.
- Form Dough: Pour in the 3/4 cup milk. Stir with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms. You can lightly knead it a few times right in the bowl if needed, just until it comes together in a ball. Do not overmix.
- Drop Dumplings into Soup: Pull off one-inch pieces of the dumpling dough and gently drop them one by one into the simmering soup. Do not overcrowd the pot; leave space for them to expand.
- Simmer Dumplings: Cover the pot with a lid and allow the soup and dumplings to simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked through and floating at the top of the soup. They will be puffed and tender.
- Thicken Soup: While the dumplings are finishing, combine the 3 tablespoons cornstarch and 3 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl. Whisk until completely smooth. Pour this cornstarch slurry into the simmering soup, stirring continually with a whisk or spoon until the soup thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Ladle the hot Chicken & Dumplings Soup into bowls. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Aromatics First: Sautéing the vegetables and garlic before adding broth builds a deeper flavor base.
- Homemade Dumplings: Grating the cold butter ensures it distributes evenly, creating pockets of steam that make the dumplings light and fluffy. Don’t overmix the dumpling dough.
- Consistent Simmer: Maintain a gentle simmer for both the initial soup cooking and when the dumplings are added. Too high a heat can break up the dumplings or make them tough.
- Don’t Overcrowd Dumplings: Give the dumplings space to expand and cook evenly in the pot. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Cornstarch Slurry: Always mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to hot liquid to prevent lumps. Add it slowly, stirring constantly.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Broths and seasoning levels vary. Always taste the soup before serving and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Rest (Optional): Letting the soup sit for 5-10 minutes off the heat before serving allows the flavors to meld further and the dumplings to fully set.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Chicken & Dumplings Soup is a complete and incredibly satisfying meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with classic comfort food sides:
- Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls: Perfect for soaking up the rich broth.
- Cornbread: A warm slice of fluffy cornbread.
- Simple Side Salad: A light green salad with a vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness.
- For other incredibly popular, crowd-pleasing comfort foods, consider our Chicken and Noodles for another tender chicken and pasta dish, or our This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo Is My Favorite Bowl Of Southern Comfort for a different type of hearty stew.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Chicken & Dumplings Soup makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen!
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The dumplings will absorb more liquid and soften further. The soup will thicken considerably.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You will likely need to add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin the soup back to a desirable consistency, as the dumplings will absorb liquid. Avoid boiling rapidly, which can break up the dumplings. You can also reheat in the microwave.
- Freezing: This soup generally does not freeze well due to the dumplings, which can become mushy upon thawing and reheating. If freezing, consider freezing the broth and chicken separately, and making fresh dumplings when reheating.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the hearty, comforting, and deeply flavorful nature of this classic soup, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that bring warmth and satisfaction to your table:
- For another fantastic one-pan dinner, check out our This Mexican Chicken And Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always A Hit.
- If you’re a fan of satisfying casseroles, our This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut is a fun winner.
- And for a hearty pasta bake made simple, our This Instant Pot Lasagna Is My Favorite Way To Make Comfort Food Fast is a fantastic time-saver.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken & Dumplings Soup recipe is a timeless classic for a reason – it’s incredibly comforting, deeply flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect meal to warm you up on a cool evening and bring that cozy, homemade feeling to your kitchen.
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas fill your home! What’s your favorite soup to make when you need a comforting meal? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below!
Leave a Reply