Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup
A heartwarming and creamy chicken soup filled with tender pieces of chicken and buttery dumplings, perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra richness) Choose organic or locally sourced for better flavor
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups carrots, diced (feel free to swap in parsnips for a unique twist)
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought) Using homemade broth will enhance flavor
- 1 cup heavy cream (for a healthier option, use half-and-half)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh, if you have it on hand)
- to taste Salt and pepper Season gradually while cooking
For the Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Can substitute with gluten-free flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk Can substitute with coconut milk for a dairy-free option
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the veggies start to soften, and the onion becomes translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Next, add the chicken breasts and season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook for about 5 minutes, browning the chicken on both sides.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bringing everything to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir in the heavy cream.
Dumpling Preparation
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in the milk and melted butter until just combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the surface of the simmering soup. Cover and let them steam for about 10-12 minutes.
- Stir gently, and taste for seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if needed.
- Ladle into bowls and serve the soup warm.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the soup without the dumplings.