Name: One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil or butter; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 carrots, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh); 1 bay leaf (optional); Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish; For the Dumplings:; 1.5 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 3/4 cup milk (whole or 2%); 2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil

Why This One-Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup Will Become Your Go-To
Essential Ingredients & Smart Substitutions for Your Soup
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Perfect One-Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup
Expert Tips for One-Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup Success
What to Serve with Your Comforting Chicken Dumpling Soup
Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Soup
One-Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup FAQs

There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup to warm you from the inside out, especially when it’s packed with tender chicken, a rich, savory broth, and those irresistibly fluffy dumplings. Today, we’re diving into the ultimate comfort food: One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a culinary hug in a bowl, designed to deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Imagine sinking your spoon into a velvety broth, discovering succulent pieces of chicken, and then biting into a cloud-like dumpling that practically melts in your mouth. Get ready to make this your new go-to recipe!

Why This One-Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup Will Become Your Go-To

A Hearty Meal in One Pot: Maximizing Flavor, Minimizing Cleanup: The beauty of a one-pot meal is undeniable. All the delicious flavors meld together beautifully in a single vessel, creating a cohesive and deeply satisfying dish, while also making cleanup a breeze.
Tender Chicken, Fluffy Dumplings: Mastering Contrasting Textures: This recipe perfectly balances the succulence of slow-cooked chicken with the delicate, airy texture of homemade dumplings. Each spoonful offers a delightful interplay of textures that keeps you coming back for more.
Rich, Savory Broth: Building Depth Without Fuss: We’ll show you how to build an incredibly flavorful broth from scratch, using simple ingredients and techniques that extract maximum depth without requiring hours of simmering.

Essential Ingredients & Smart Substitutions for Your Soup

Here is what you need and why:

Chicken: Choosing the Right Cut for Tenderness and Flavor: For the most tender and flavorful soup, I highly recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They stay incredibly moist during simmering and impart a richer flavor to the broth. If you prefer white meat, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work too, but be careful not to overcook them. You can also use a combination of both!

Vegetables: Foundation of Flavor and Texture: Our aromatic base starts with classic mirepoix: carrots, celery, and onion. These vegetables sweeten and deepen the broth. Feel free to add other vegetables like diced potatoes, peas, or corn towards the end of cooking for extra nutrition and texture.

Broth: Quality Matters for Your Soup’s Base: A good quality chicken broth or stock is paramount here. It forms the backbone of your soup’s flavor. Opt for low-sodium varieties so you can control the seasoning yourself. If you have homemade chicken stock, even better!

Dumpling Ingredients: Achieving a Light, Fluffy Texture: Our dumplings are made with all-purpose flour, baking powder (for lift!), a pinch of salt, milk, and a touch of melted butter or oil. The key is to mix just until combined to avoid tough dumplings. For a richer dumpling, you can substitute buttermilk for regular milk.

Fresh Herbs: The Finishing Touch for Brightness: Fresh parsley and thyme are non-negotiable for adding a vibrant, fresh finish to your soup. They brighten the overall flavor profile. Dried herbs can be used in a pinch, but reduce the quantity significantly (about 1/3 of fresh). A bay leaf added during simmering also contributes a subtle, earthy note.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Perfect One-Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup

Follow these step-by-step photos:

1. Prepping Your Ingredients: Efficiency from the Start

Before you even turn on the stove, gather and chop all your vegetables (onions, carrots, celery) and chicken. This mise en place approach makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. Have your broth, herbs, and dumpling ingredients measured out and ready to go. This prevents frantic searching mid-cook!

2. Sautéing Aromatics: Building the Flavor Base

In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add your chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté them gently until the onions are translucent and the vegetables have softened, about 5-7 minutes. This step is crucial for developing a deep, sweet flavor foundation for your soup.

3. Browning the Chicken: Developing Rich Umami

Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the pot. Add your diced chicken thighs to the empty side and sear them for a few minutes until lightly browned on all sides. This browning creates delicious fond at the bottom of the pot, which will add incredible umami to your broth. Don’t worry about cooking the chicken through at this stage.

4. Simmering the Soup: Infusing All the Goodness

Pour in your chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon – that’s pure flavor! Add any dried herbs (like a bay leaf) and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. This allows all the flavors to meld beautifully.

5. Making and Dropping Dumplings: The Key to Pillowy Clouds

While the soup simmers, prepare your dumpling dough. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate small bowl, combine milk and melted butter/oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix with a fork until just combined – a few lumps are perfectly fine! Drop spoonfuls of the dough directly into the simmering soup. Cover the pot and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through. Avoid lifting the lid too often!

6. Finishing Touches: Seasoning and Serving

Once the dumplings are cooked, remove the bay leaf (if used). Stir in your fresh chopped parsley and thyme. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired. This One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup is best enjoyed hot!

Expert Tips for One-Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup Success

Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Ensuring Even Cooking: When browning the chicken, work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pot. Overcrowding steams the chicken instead of browning it, preventing that delicious fond from forming.
Dumpling Don’ts: Avoiding Gumminess: The biggest mistake with dumplings is overmixing the dough. Mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Also, ensure your soup is at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, when you drop them in, and resist the urge to peek too often while they cook.
Adjusting Seasoning: The Secret to a Balanced Broth: Always taste your soup before serving! Broth can vary in sodium content, so start with less salt and add more gradually until the flavors sing. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end can also brighten the flavors.
Broth Thickening Hacks: When Your Soup Needs More Body: If you prefer a thicker broth, you can make a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir it into the simmering soup a few minutes before adding the dumplings and let it thicken. Alternatively, mash a few cooked vegetables against the side of the pot.
For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc) after sautéing the vegetables and before adding the broth. Deglaze the pan thoroughly. For more baking inspiration, see more easy recipes!

What to Serve with Your Comforting Chicken Dumpling Soup

This One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup is a meal in itself, but a simple side can elevate the experience.

Simple Sides for a Complete Meal: A crusty loaf of bread or warm dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delicious broth. A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Soup

Leftover One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup is a treat, but a few tips will ensure it stays delicious.

Keeping Dumplings Tender: Storage Tips: Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The dumplings will absorb more broth and become softer over time, which some people love! If you prefer firmer dumplings, you can store the cooked dumplings separately from the broth, adding them back in when reheating.
Reheating for Best Results: Gently reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Avoid boiling, as this can break down the dumplings. If the soup has thickened too much, add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

One-Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup FAQs

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut. Shred the chicken and add it to the soup during the last 5-10 minutes of simmering, just before adding the dumplings, to ensure it warms through without drying out. This will save you time on the browning step.

What if my dumplings are too dense?

Dense dumplings are usually a result of overmixing the dough. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until just combined – a few lumps are fine! Also, ensure your baking powder is fresh, as it’s crucial for the dumplings’ lift and fluffiness.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, you can! Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or chickpeas for more substance. For the dumplings, ensure you use a plant-based milk and oil instead of butter.

How do I prevent my vegetables from getting mushy?

To prevent mushy vegetables, add any softer vegetables (like peas, corn, or zucchini) towards the end of the simmering process, about 5-10 minutes before the dumplings go in. Harder vegetables like carrots and celery can be added at the beginning as they require more cooking time.

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