Table of Contents
Chicken and dumplings soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days. Making it at home allows you to customize flavors and ingredients to your liking. Follow this guide to create a delicious homemade chicken and dumplings soup from scratch.
Ingredients Needed
- 1 whole chicken or chicken breasts (about 3-4 pounds)
- 4 carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: peas or corn for extra flavor
Cooking the Chicken
Start by boiling the chicken in a large pot of water until fully cooked, about 45 minutes. Remove the chicken, let it cool slightly, then shred it into bite-sized pieces. Reserve the chicken broth for the soup base.
Preparing the Soup Base
In the same pot, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot. Season with salt, pepper, and parsley.
Making the Dumplings
While the soup simmers, prepare the dumpling dough. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and stir until just combined. The dough should be thick but scoopable.
Cooking the Dumplings
Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering soup. Cover the pot and cook for 15 minutes, or until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to keep the steam inside.
Serving and Tips
Serve the hot chicken and dumplings soup garnished with additional parsley if desired. For extra flavor, add a splash of lemon juice or hot sauce. This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Enjoy your homemade, flavorful chicken and dumplings soup, perfect for comforting family dinners or meal prep!