Cozy Homestyle Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Comfort wafts through the kitchen with this classic chicken and dumplings soup that promises warmth in every spoonful.

Southern-style cooking brings soul-soothing flavors to your table with pure culinary magic.

Tender chicken mingles with soft, pillowy dumplings in a rich, creamy broth that speaks of home and tradition.

Generations have cherished this recipe, passing down its delicious secrets from one cook to another.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to create a symphony of comfort and satisfaction.

Ladle this soup into bowls and watch as smiles spread across hungry faces, ready to savor every delightful bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken & Dumplings Soup Recipe Ingredient Rundown

• Olive Oil: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables, enhancing overall flavor depth.
• Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic base notes and creates a flavor-packed starting point for the soup.
• Carrots, Celery: Bring earthy, fresh vegetable complexity and nutritional boost to the soup's foundation.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Dried Thyme, Parsley, Rosemary: Infuse herbaceous, woodsy undertones that complement the chicken perfectly.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential seasonings that balance and intensify the soup's overall taste.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a hearty, flavorful liquid base that enriches the soup's core essence.
• Chicken Pieces: Provides protein-rich, tender meat that makes the soup substantial and satisfying.
• Frozen Peas: Adds bright color, sweet burst of flavor, and nutritional variety to the soup.
• Heavy Cream: Introduces luxurious, silky texture and rounds out the soup's flavor complexity.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of soft, pillowy dumplings with a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Creates light, airy texture that helps dumplings rise and become fluffy.
• Dried Parsley: Brings subtle herbal notes and visual interest to the dumpling mixture.
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind the dumpling ingredients together smoothly.
• Melted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender, delicate dumpling texture.

Tools That Help With Chicken & Dumplings Soup Night

• Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for cooking the entire soup and dumplings, with a wide base for even heat distribution.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing dumpling dry ingredients and creating the batter.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring vegetables and soup ingredients.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for consistent results.
• Spoon or small cookie scoop: Helps drop uniform dumpling portions into the simmering soup.
• Toothpick or skewer: Checks dumpling doneness by testing the center.

Cook Chicken & Dumplings Soup for a Cozy Meal

• Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Toss in diced onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables soften and release their delicious flavors, about 5 minutes.

• Build Flavor Foundation

Sprinkle in garlic and herbs. Let them dance around the pot and release their fragrant essence for one minute. Pour chicken broth and bring to a rolling boil.

• Poach Chicken

Slide chicken pieces into the bubbling liquid. Lower heat and let chicken gently cook until tender and fully done, roughly 15 minutes.

• Enrich Soup

Stir in sweet green peas and a splash of cream. Allow soup to return to a gentle simmer, creating a velvety texture.

• Create Fluffy Dumplings

Mix flour, baking powder, and herbs in a bowl. Pour in milk and melted butter. Stir until just combined, creating a rustic, thick batter.

• Drop and Cover Dumplings

Spoon dumpling mixture onto soup’s surface. Cover pot and let dumplings steam and grow for 15 minutes without peeking.

• Serve and Enjoy

Check dumplings are cooked through. Ladle soup into warm bowls, ensuring each serving has chicken, vegetables, and pillowy dumplings. Sprinkle with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips for Tweaking Your Chicken & Dumplings Soup Flavor

• Prepare the soup base and chicken a day in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator. Reheat gently and add fresh dumplings just before serving to maintain their perfect fluffy texture.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this comfort dish accessible for those with wheat sensitivities. Ensure your baking powder is also gluten-free for a complete adaptation.
• Experiment with different proteins like shredded turkey, lean ground chicken, or even white fish as delicious alternatives to traditional chicken, keeping the soul of the recipe intact.
• Boost the nutritional profile by adding extra vegetables like diced zucchini, spinach, or chopped kale during the last few minutes of cooking. These additions bring vibrant color and additional nutrients to the classic soup.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk, and use dairy-free butter alternatives to create a creamy soup that accommodates lactose-intolerant diners without compromising on rich, comforting flavors.

How to Serve Chicken & Dumplings Soup Family-Style

• Comfort Corner: Pair this hearty chicken and dumplings soup with crusty bread for dipping and soaking up all those delicious flavors.
• Cozy Companion: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the soup's rich and creamy texture.
• Winter Warmth Plate: Offer a small side of roasted seasonal vegetables like Brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots to complement the soup's rustic profile.
• Homestyle Finishing Touch: Sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or chives on top for a burst of color and added fresh herb flavor that brightens the entire dish.

Store Chicken & Dumplings Soup for Leftovers

• Store leftover soup in airtight containers, keeping dumplings separate from liquid to maintain their texture and prevent soggy consistency.
• Allow soup to reach room temperature within 2 hours, then transfer to refrigerator, where it stays fresh for 3-4 days without compromising flavor or quality.
• Package soup and dumplings in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen soup maintains optimal taste for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Gently warm soup on stovetop over medium-low heat, adding small amounts of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning, ensuring dumplings remain tender and soup tastes freshly made.

FAQs

• What are the key herbs used in this chicken and dumplings soup?

The key herbs are dried thyme, parsley, and rosemary. These herbs add depth and aromatic flavor to the soup, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish.

• Can I make the dumplings gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure the blend has similar binding properties to create the right dumpling texture.

• Is it necessary to use heavy cream in the soup?

No, the heavy cream is optional. It adds richness and creaminess, but you can skip it if you prefer a lighter soup or want to reduce calories.

• How can I tell if the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). In this recipe, simmering the chicken pieces for about 15 minutes should ensure they are thoroughly cooked.

Air Fryer Crispy Broccoli Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy air fryer broccoli delivers a crunchy, golden-green delight that elevates ordinary vegetables into a spectacular side dish. Garlic-infused and perfectly seasoned, this quick recipe promises a delectable experience that will make broccoli lovers rejoice with every bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 head of broccoli)

Seasoning and Spices:

• 1.5 tablespoons (22 ml) olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Finishing and Serving:

• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Extra Parmesan cheese
• Ranch or yogurt dip for serving

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Instructions

1. Trim and cleanse the broccoli crowns, separating them into uniform, bite-sized clusters that will crisp evenly during cooking.
2. Ensure the florets are thoroughly patted dry using clean kitchen towels, eliminating excess surface moisture to guarantee maximum crunchiness.
3. Drizzle the broccoli pieces with premium olive oil, creating a light, even coating that will help seasonings adhere and promote caramelization.
4. Sprinkle a balanced blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper across the florets, massaging the spices gently to distribute thoroughly.
5. Dust the seasoned broccoli with finely grated Parmesan cheese, which will melt and create delectable crispy edges during air frying.
6. Activate the air fryer and preheat to 375°F, allowing the machine to reach optimal temperature for rapid, even cooking.
7. Carefully arrange the seasoned broccoli in a single, uncrowded layer within the air fryer basket, ensuring each floret has sufficient space to crisp independently.
8. Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes, pausing midway to gently shake the basket and promote uniform browning and crispiness.
9. Monitor the broccoli’s transformation, looking for deep golden edges and a slightly charred appearance indicating perfect caramelization.
10. Remove the crispy broccoli immediately, transferring to a serving plate to prevent continued cooking and preserve the ideal texture.

Notes

• Pat the broccoli completely dry to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent steaming instead of roasting in the air fryer.
• Use high-quality olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan for richer, more intense flavor that enhances the broccoli’s natural taste.
• Experiment with different seasoning blends like za’atar, curry powder, or chili flakes to create unique flavor profiles that suit your taste preferences.
• If following a dairy-free diet, replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a similar umami and cheesy flavor without compromising the crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 3 mg