Classic Comfort: Dive into the Perfect Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe

Photo byAngie Bright

Chicken & Dumplings Soup: A Comforting Classic for Any Season

Few dishes evoke the warmth and comfort of home like a steaming bowl of Chicken & Dumplings Soup. This recipe is perfect for a chilly evening, a cozy family dinner, or simply when you crave something hearty and filling. The combination of tender, shredded chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a flavorful broth is a timeless comfort food that has been enjoyed for generations.

The charm of this dish lies in its simplicity. While many may view Chicken & Dumplings as a labor-intensive meal, it’s actually straightforward and rewarding to make. With ingredients you likely have in your pantry and fridge, you can whip up this classic soup with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe will walk you through each step to create a dish that’s sure to warm the heart.

The Soul of the Soup

Chicken & Dumplings Soup combines two essential elements: a savory chicken broth loaded with vegetables and succulent chicken, and tender dumplings that soak up all the rich flavors. The broth, made from chicken stock and fresh vegetables, is seasoned with garlic, bay leaves, parsley, and just the right amount of salt and pepper. The vegetables—onions, carrots, and celery—add depth and a touch of sweetness to the soup, while the bay leaves provide a subtle earthy note.

The shredded chicken is the star of this soup, adding protein and substance. You can use leftover cooked chicken, or if you're starting from scratch, poaching chicken breasts or thighs in the broth is an excellent option. The chicken shreds easily and adds a meaty richness to each spoonful. As the soup simmers, it develops layers of flavor that are both comforting and hearty.

Dumplings: The Ultimate Comfort Food

The dumplings in this recipe are delightfully soft and fluffy, made from a simple dough of flour, baking powder, butter, and milk. Grating cold butter into the flour creates a light and tender dough that transforms into pillowy dumplings when dropped into the simmering broth. Once the dumplings float to the top, you’ll know they are done—fully cooked but still soft and absorbing the flavorful broth.

Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2-3 chopped carrots
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 pounds cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley

To Thicken Soup:

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

For Dumplings:

• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons butter, cold
• 3/4 cup milk

Instructions:

1. In a large 8-quart pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the shredded chicken. Add the salt, pepper, bay leaves, and parsley. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer while preparing the dumplings.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Grate the cold butter into the flour mixture and stir to coat the butter with the flour. Pour in the milk and stir until the dough comes together into a ball.
4. Pinch off 1-inch pieces of dough and drop them into the simmering soup. Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup cook for 15-20 minutes, until the dumplings rise to the top.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Pour this mixture into the soup, stirring continuously until the soup thickens slightly.
6. Remove the bay leaves, serve hot, and enjoy!

There’s nothing quite like Chicken & Dumplings Soup to satisfy a craving for comfort food. Each spoonful of this hearty dish, with its tender chicken, savory broth, and soft dumplings, feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Whether it's shared around a family table or enjoyed alone on a quiet evening, this soup is sure to bring warmth and happiness to anyone who tries it.

To make the perfect Chicken & Dumplings Soup, you're blending the rich flavors of tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a savory broth. This recipe calls for simmering vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions in a chicken broth, along with minced garlic and seasonings like bay leaves and parsley for added depth. The dumplings, made from flour, baking powder, and cold butter, float on top of the simmering soup as they cook to a tender perfection. To finish, you thicken the broth with a cornstarch slurry, making the soup rich and satisfying​The Recipe Rebel​Feeding Your Fam.

This recipe has variations, such as incorporating heavy cream for extra richness or using biscuit dough instead of homemade dumplings for a quicker option​Allrecipes​Feeding Your Fam. Each bite offers a comforting combination of flavors and textures, perfect for a cozy evening meal.

For more detailed instructions and additional tips on variations, check out sources like The Recipe Rebel and Feeding Your Fam​The Recipe Rebel​Feeding Your Fam.