Cozy Homestyle Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe for Soul Comfort

Comfort swirls through every spoonful of this classic chicken & dumplings soup that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this hearty dish that blends tender chicken with pillowy dumplings.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this soul-soothing recipe passed down through whispers and love.

Rich broth bubbles with chunks of juicy chicken and soft, fluffy dumplings that melt in your mouth.

Herbs and seasonings dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that speak of home and tradition.

Each bite feels like a gentle embrace, transporting you to a cozy kitchen filled with love and memories.

Prepare to savor this timeless recipe that turns simple ingredients into a remarkable meal everyone will adore.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

Here’s What You’ll Need for Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich base for sautéing vegetables with golden undertones.
• Butter: Adds deep, creamy richness and helps develop robust flavor profile.
• Onion: Builds foundational savory depth and aromatic foundation for soup.
• Carrots: Introduces sweet, earthy notes and beautiful orange color to the dish.
• Celery: Contributes subtle peppery background and traditional soup vegetable complexity.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, warming flavor punch and natural aromatic enhancement.
• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid foundation with hearty, protein-rich liquid base.

• Flour: Provides structural backbone for fluffy, tender dumpling texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy rise and soft dumpling consistency.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies overall recipe flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle spicy undertone.
• Garlic Powder: Introduces concentrated garlic essence without fresh garlic chunks.
• Milk: Binds ingredients and creates creamy, smooth dumpling mixture.
• Melted Butter: Infuses rich, luxurious flavor and helps achieve perfect moisture.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, fresh herbal note and vibrant green color.

• Cooked Shredded Chicken: Delivers protein-packed main ingredient with tender texture.
• Thyme: Provides earthy, woodsy herb dimension to soup complexity.
• Dried Parsley: Enhances herbal background notes and visual appeal.
• Onion Powder: Concentrates savory.

Kitchen Gear That Makes Chicken & Dumplings Soup a Breeze

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for creating your soup base and cooking everything together.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for preparing the dumpling dough and combining ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry and wet ingredients for the dumplings evenly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring the soup and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Required for dicing onions, carrots, and other vegetables precisely.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat up your favorite cooking pot and toss in some diced onions, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften in a bit of oil, releasing their delicious flavors. Sprinkle in some minced garlic for an extra burst of warmth.

• Build the Liquid Foundation

Pour in rich chicken broth and let everything simmer together. This is where the starts happening – your kitchen will smell incredible! Allow the liquid to bubble gently and blend all those wonderful vegetable essences.

• Create Fluffy Dumpling Clouds

Mix flour with a pinch of seasonings in a bowl. Splash in some milk and melted butter, stirring until you have a soft, pillowy dough. No need for perfection – rustic is beautiful!

• Combine Protein and Seasonings

Fold tender shredded chicken into your simmering broth. Sprinkle in herbs that make your taste buds sing – think thyme, parsley, and a whisper of garlic powder. Taste and adjust until it feels just right.

• Craft Dumpling

Gently drop spoonfuls of your dumpling mixture into the bubbling soup. Cover and let them transform into puffy, cloud-like treasures. In about 15 minutes, you’ll have pure comfort in a bowl.

• Serve and Celebrate

Ladle this soul-warming soup into bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy. Dive in and enjoy every single comforting spoonful!

Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup Cooking Secrets

• Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time and add instant flavor depth.
• Prepare soup base and dumplings separately up to 24 hours in advance, storing components refrigerated until ready to combine and cook.
• Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend or almond flour for sensitive dietary needs, ensuring same fluffy dumpling texture.
• Add extra vegetables like chopped spinach, zucchini, or peas during simmering stage to increase nutritional value and create more complex flavor profile.
• Replace traditional flour dumplings with cauliflower rice or use cloud bread as lighter topping, maintaining soup's hearty essence while reducing carbohydrate content.

Ways to Serve Chicken & Dumplings That Warm the Soul

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty sourdough or hearty whole wheat bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth, adding delightful texture and warmth to each bite.
• Herb Garden Sprinkle: Garnish with fresh chopped chives, thyme, or additional parsley to brighten the soup's appearance and enhance its aromatic profile with a pop of green.
• Creamy Comfort Topping: Dollop a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top to add a cool, tangy contrast to the warm, comforting soup, creating a luxurious and balanced flavor experience.
• Winter Wellness Bowl: Pair with a small side salad of mixed greens dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the heartiness of the soup and add a fresh, crisp element to your meal.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup

• Let the soup cool to room temperature within 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth, spreading it in a shallow container for faster cooling.
• Store the soup in airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Separate chicken and dumplings if possible to maintain optimal texture.
• Freeze soup without dumplings in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Add fresh dumplings when reheating to prevent soggy texture and maintain their delightful fluffy consistency.
• Warm soup gently on stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally and heat until temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring even warming and protecting food safety.

FAQs

• What are dumplings made of in this recipe?

Dumplings are made with basic pantry ingredients like flour, baking powder, milk, melted butter, salt, pepper, and optional fresh parsley. The mixture creates a thick, soft dough that’s dropped directly into the simmering soup.

• Can I use different types of chicken in this recipe?

Yes, you can use any cooked chicken – rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or boiled chicken works perfectly. Just ensure the chicken is shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces before adding to the soup.

• Is this recipe considered healthy?

This chicken and dumplings soup is a balanced meal with protein from chicken, vegetables like carrots and celery, and moderate carbohydrates from the dumplings. It’s nutritious and provides a good mix of nutrients in a comforting one-pot dish.

• How can I make the soup more filling?

To make the soup more substantial, you can add extra vegetables like potatoes or peas, increase the amount of chicken, or serve it with a side of crusty bread for additional heartiness and texture.

Hearty Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup blends Southern comfort with rich, savory flavors. Delicate herb-infused dumplings and tender chicken create a soul-warming meal for chilly evenings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (300 g / 10.5 oz) cooked shredded chicken
• 6 cups (1.5 liters / 48 fl oz) chicken broth
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream or whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) milk
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot and gently cook diced onion, carrots, and celery until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness.
2. Build Flavor Base: Add minced garlic and stir briefly, then pour in chicken broth. Allow the liquid to simmer and develop rich, complex flavors for about 10 minutes.
3. Prepare Dumpling Mixture: Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Create a smooth dough by incorporating milk and melted butter, then fold in fresh parsley for herbal brightness.
4. Enhance Soup Complexity: Introduce shredded cooked chicken to the simmering broth, seasoning with thyme, additional parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to elevate the overall taste profile.
5. Cook Dumplings: Carefully drop spoonfuls of prepared dumpling dough into the bubbling liquid, leaving space between each portion. Cover the pot and steam for 15 minutes until dumplings become light and fluffy.
6. Finish and Serve: Gently stir the soup to distribute dumplings evenly, then ladle into warm serving bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant, inviting presentation.

Notes

• Master Dumpling Spacing: Drop dumpling spoonfuls 1-2 inches apart to prevent sticking and ensure proper expansion during cooking.
• Control Liquid Consistency: Monitor soup thickness by adding extra broth if it becomes too dense, maintaining a smooth, hearty texture.
• Prevent Tough Dumplings: Mix dumpling dough gently and minimally to keep them light and fluffy, avoiding overworking the mixture.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use plant-based milk, and substitute chicken with tofu for alternative dietary requirements.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg