Homemade Chicken Dumpling Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

On chilly evenings, nothing warms the soul quite like a hearty chicken dumpling soup that brings comfort straight to your table.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish, creating a rich and satisfying meal.

The tender chicken, soft dumplings, and savory broth blend together in a symphony of flavor that feels like a warm embrace.

Each spoonful carries memories of home-cooked meals and tender care.

Herbs and seasonings dance through the soup, creating depth and complexity with every bite.

The dumplings, light and fluffy, float gently in the golden broth, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Gather your ingredients and let’s transform simple components into a bowl of pure, nostalgic comfort.

Chicken Dumpling Soup Serving Ideas

• Cozy Comfort Plating: Serve in deep ceramic bowls to showcase the soup's rustic charm and capture all those delicious dumpling pieces.
• Hearty Side Companions: Pair with crusty sourdough bread or warm buttermilk biscuits to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and add extra texture.
• Fresh Herbal Finishing: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top just before serving to add a bright, green pop of color and light herbal notes that complement the warm soup.
• Balanced Meal Solution: Add a small mixed green salad with light vinaigrette on the side to create a complete, nutritious dinner that balances the soup's heartiness.

Storage for Chicken Dumpling Soup

• Transfer cooled soup to airtight container, seal tightly, and store in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep dumplings separate from liquid to maintain texture.
• Pour soup without dumplings into freezer-safe container, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2-3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place desired portion in microwave-safe bowl, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until soup reaches 165°F. Add fresh dumplings if needed.

FAQs

• What are dumplings made of?

Dumplings are made with a simple mixture of flour, baking powder, salt, cold butter, and milk. The cold butter is grated into the dry ingredients, then milk is stirred in to create a soft, slightly sticky dough.

• Can I use different types of chicken?

Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or poach chicken breasts specifically for this soup. Shredded chicken works best to ensure tender, easy-to-eat meat in the soup.

• How do I know when the dumplings are fully cooked?

Dumplings are done when they look puffy and are firm to the touch, typically after 15-20 minutes of simmering in the soup. They should have a light, fluffy texture and absorb some of the soup’s flavor.

Chicken Dumpling Soup—Why It’s a Favorite

• A soul-warming soup that hugs you from the inside, perfect for chilly days or when you need a nutritious pick-me-up.
• Swap chicken with turkey, adjust vegetables, or make it vegetarian-friendly with simple ingredient modifications.
• Requires basic cooking skills, minimal prep work, and uses common pantry ingredients for a hassle-free meal.
• Delivers restaurant-quality taste that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal family dinner option.

Chicken Dumpling Soup Ingredients

• Chicken: Tender, shredded protein that provides the hearty base of the soup.

• Chicken Broth: Rich liquid foundation that carries the soup's deep flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps develop a smooth, creamy texture.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that create a flavorful soup base.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, savory undertone to the soup.

• Flour: Provides structure and body for the soft, pillowy dumplings.
• Baking Powder: Helps create light and fluffy dumpling texture.
• Milk: Binds the dumpling ingredients and adds moisture.
• Cold Butter: Creates tender, flaky layers in the dumplings.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Bay Leaves: Adds a subtle, earthy background note to the soup.
• Parsley: Brings a fresh, bright flavor and green color.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a slightly thicker, more luxurious soup consistency.

Tools for Chicken Dumpling Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking soup and boiling ingredients, preferably heavy-bottomed for even heat distribution.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable and chicken chopping.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring soup and mixing ingredients without scratching pot.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements for flour, milk, and seasonings.
• Grater: Helpful for grating cold butter into dumpling flour mixture.
• Mixing Bowl: Used for preparing dumpling dough and combining dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Useful for blending cornstarch and mixing dumpling ingredients smoothly.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving soup and dropping dumpling dough into pot.

How to Make Chicken Dumpling Soup

Step 1: Warm Up the Pot

Start by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat, creating a rich base for your soup.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie Medley

Add and cook onions, carrots, and celery until they become tender and release their aromatic flavors.

Step 3: Infuse with Garlic

Toss in minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds, filling your kitchen with a delightful aroma.

Step 4: Build the Soup Foundation

Pour in chicken broth and add shredded chicken, creating a robust and comforting liquid base.

Step 5: Season and Simmer

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Bay leaves
• Fresh parsley

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Craft Fluffy Dumplings

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Grate cold butter into the flour mixture, then stir in milk until a soft dough forms.

Step 7: Drop and Cook Dumplings

Carefully drop small 1-inch pieces of dough into the simmering soup.

Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until dumplings are light and fluffy.

Step 8: Thicken the Soup

Mix cornstarch with cold water, then stir into the soup to create a slightly thickened, velvety texture.

Tips for Tasty Chicken Dumpling Soup

• Use unsalted butter for better control of salt levels and richer flavor.
• Dice vegetables uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture in every spoonful.
• Keep dumpling pieces similar in size to ensure consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture.
• Use homemade chicken broth for deeper, more complex flavor profile if possible.
• Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to prevent lumps and achieve smooth soup consistency.

Chicken Dumpling Soup Variation Ideas

• Vegetarian Dumpling Soup: Replace chicken with firm tofu or mixed vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Soup: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for dumplings. Use cornmeal or almond flour as alternative dumpling bases.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil. Use unsweetened almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk in dumpling mixture.
• Low-Carb Protein Soup: Replace flour dumplings with egg-based cloud dumplings. Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional dumplings and add extra lean protein like turkey or shredded chicken breast.

Chicken Dumpling Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Chinese-inspired chicken dumpling soup delights palates with hearty comfort and rich flavors. Warm broth, tender dumplings, and savory herbs create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 pounds chicken, shredded

Vegetables:

• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 2–3 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced

Soup Base and Seasonings:

• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 4 tablespoons butter

Thickening Agents:

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

Dumpling Ingredients:

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

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious pot over medium heat, gently melting butter until it becomes translucent and aromatic.
2. Introduce chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the butter, sautéing until vegetables become tender and slightly translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. Incorporate minced garlic and quickly stir for 30 seconds, releasing its fragrant essence without burning.
4. Pour chicken broth into the pot, then add shredded chicken meat, ensuring even distribution throughout the liquid.
5. Enhance the flavor profile by sprinkling salt, cracked black pepper, crumbled bay leaves, and chopped parsley. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
6. Prepare dumpling dough by combining flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Using a box grater, carefully shred cold butter into the dry ingredients, creating a crumbly texture. Gradually introduce milk, stirring until a cohesive dough forms.
7. Using a spoon, delicately drop small, approximately 1-inch dough portions directly into the simmering soup. Cover the pot and allow dumplings to cook for 15-20 minutes, ensuring they become fluffy and fully cooked.
8. Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Slowly incorporate the mixture into the soup, stirring continuously until the liquid reaches a desired thickness.

Notes

• Choose cold butter for flakier, more tender dumplings by ensuring it remains chilled when mixing into flour.
• Keep dumpling size consistent for even cooking, using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to create uniform pieces.
• Consider using gluten-free flour blend if preparing for those with wheat sensitivities, which maintains similar texture and structure.
• Enhance soup’s depth by using homemade chicken stock instead of store-bought, adding richer flavor and more nutrients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg