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
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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