Delicious Homemade Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup (30-Minute Recipe!)
There’s nothing quite like a hearty bowl of Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup to warm you from the inside out. This isn’t just any recipe; it’s a quick, healthy, and incredibly satisfying version of a beloved comfort food, featuring fluffy homemade dumplings prepared entirely from scratch. Perfect for a brisk fall evening or a chilly winter day, this delightful soup comes together in just about 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution for the whole family.
Forget the complexities of traditional recipes or the disappointments of bland, store-bought options. This recipe stands apart from other soups, like our Healthy Chicken Gnocchi Soup, due to its unique, light, and airy dumplings that cook directly on top of the rich, creamy stew. The best part? We often use frozen mixed vegetables to drastically cut down on prep time, meaning less chopping and more enjoying. Of course, if you prefer, fresh veggies work beautifully too!
Many restaurants serve a version of “chicken and dumplings” that can sometimes feel more like chicken and gravy with noodle-like dough. But by definition, a dumpling is a mass of dough that is boiled, fried, or steamed, often light and pillowy. This recipe embraces that authentic definition, delivering a heartier, more satisfying chicken and vegetable stew crowned with beautiful, fluffy dumplings that resemble miniature biscuits. It’s a truly comforting meal that brings homemade goodness to your table without the fuss.
This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful, and incredibly comforting meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent. It’s designed for busy home cooks who crave delicious, from-scratch meals but need them to be efficient and straightforward. Let’s dive into what makes this Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup an absolute must-try.
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What to Expect: Why This Recipe Stands Out
When you prepare this Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup, you’re not just making a meal; you’re creating a memorable dining experience that’s both easy and delicious. Here’s what makes this recipe truly exceptional:
- Unforgettable Taste: Prepare your taste buds for a culinary journey! This soup offers a savory, creamy chicken stew base, richly flavored with aromatic herbs and tender vegetables. The true highlight, however, is the soft, pillowy, homemade dumplings that cook right on top, soaking up all the incredible flavors of the broth. Each spoonful is a perfect blend of comforting textures and robust tastes, making it an instant family favorite.
- Remarkable Ease: Don’t let the “homemade dumplings” part intimidate you. This recipe strikes a perfect balance between being achievable for beginners and satisfying for intermediate cooks. The soup portion is incredibly straightforward, especially with the smart use of frozen vegetables, which significantly reduces your prep time. While perfecting the dumplings might take a tiny bit of practice, they are surprisingly forgiving and easy to adjust if they don’t turn out perfectly on your first try. We provide all the tips you need for success!
- Incredible Time Efficiency: In today’s fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity. This recipe respects that, allowing you to go from prep to plate in a mere 30-40 minutes. This makes it an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights when you want a wholesome, from-scratch meal but are short on time. It’s a testament to how quick and easy truly delicious home cooking can be.
🛒 Key Ingredients for Your Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Crafting the perfect creamy chicken and dumpling soup begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the rich flavor and comforting texture that makes this dish so special. Here’s a closer look at the key elements:
- Chicken: The star of our soup! Both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and chicken thighs are excellent choices. Chicken breasts offer a leaner option, while thighs provide a richer, juicier flavor that stands up well to simmering. Whichever you choose, ensure it’s cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and easy eating. Approximately 1 pound, or about 2 medium breasts, chopped into 3 cups, works perfectly.
- Vegetables: To keep this recipe truly a 30-minute marvel, we recommend using a 4-cup bag of frozen mixed vegetables. Our preferred mix includes peas, corn, carrots, and green beans, offering a wonderful balance of color, texture, and essential nutrients. This saves you precious time on chopping. However, if you have fresh vegetables on hand and prefer to use them, finely chopped carrots, celery, and peas would be a fantastic addition, just ensure they are cut small enough to cook quickly.
- Milk: This is what gives our soup its signature creamy texture and a delightful richness. We love using whole milk for its full-bodied flavor and added protein content, which contributes to a more satisfying meal. You can adjust the fat content based on your preference, but a higher fat milk will yield a creamier result.
- All-Purpose Flour: A versatile ingredient that serves a dual purpose in this recipe. It’s essential for thickening the creamy soup base, creating a silky smooth consistency that coats every spoonful. Additionally, it forms the foundation of our homemade, fluffy dumplings, providing the structure and texture that makes them so delicious.
- Seasonings: The heart of any great soup lies in its seasonings. We keep it simple yet impactful with a classic blend of garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, and dried basil. These herbs infuse the soup with a warm, aromatic profile. Salt and freshly ground black pepper are, of course, non-negotiable for enhancing all the flavors. To deepen the savory chicken flavor even further, a touch of chicken bouillon is added, providing an extra layer of umami that ties everything together beautifully.
See the complete recipe card below for precise measurements and quantities for all ingredients.
✏️ Substitutions & Variations to Customize Your Soup
This creamy chicken and dumpling soup recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your dietary needs or simply to what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative with these delicious variations:
- Vegetable Choices: While frozen mixed vegetables offer unparalleled convenience, feel free to use an equal amount of your favorite fresh chopped vegetables. Consider adding diced potatoes for extra heartiness, sliced mushrooms for an earthy depth, or even bell peppers for a touch of sweetness and color. For a distinctly autumnal twist, dice up some butternut squash, parsnips, or turnips to replace some of the traditional veggies, transforming it into a delightful fall vegetable soup.
- Milk Alternatives: If you’re looking for a dairy-free option or just prefer a different flavor profile, any of your favorite plant-based milks can be used. Almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk will all work, though they may alter the final creaminess slightly. For an even richer, more indulgent soup, consider using half-and-half or heavy cream instead of regular milk.
- Flour Alternatives (for thickening soup only): If you need a gluten-free option for thickening the soup, or simply prefer another thickener, cornstarch is an excellent alternative. Use half the amount of cornstarch compared to flour (e.g., if the recipe calls for ½ cup flour, use ¼ cup cornstarch), mix it with a small amount of cold water to create a slurry before adding it to the simmering soup to prevent lumps.
- Chicken Variations: If you have leftover cooked chicken or a rotisserie chicken, you can easily use it to reduce the cooking time even further. Simply shred or chop the cooked chicken and add it to the soup towards the end of the simmering process, allowing it to heat through.
- Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to the stew with the other seasonings. A dash of smoked paprika can also add a wonderful depth and warmth.
🧑🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Follow these detailed steps to create a truly irresistible bowl of creamy chicken and dumpling soup. We’ve broken it down to ensure success for every home cook.
- Step 1: Sauté Chicken and Onion. Begin by heating two tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed cooking pot – a Dutch oven is ideal for its even heat distribution and ability to prevent scorching. Add your diced chicken and onion to the hot oil. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The goal here is to cook the chicken through until it’s no longer pink and the onions have softened and become translucent, releasing their sweet aroma. This step builds the foundational flavor of your soup.
- Step 2: Build the Soup Base. Once the chicken and onions are perfectly cooked, pour in the chicken broth. Then, add all your seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon. Stir everything together to combine these wonderful flavors. Finally, add the frozen mixed vegetables directly into the pot – there’s no need to thaw them beforehand, making this step incredibly quick and easy. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes. This allows the vegetables to start softening and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Step 3: Prepare the Thickening Mixture. While your soup base is simmering, prepare the thickening agent. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and all-purpose flour until the mixture is completely smooth and free of any lumps. This slurry is crucial for achieving the rich, creamy texture of the soup without any floury residue. Take your time to ensure it’s thoroughly combined.
- Step 4: Thicken the Stew. Slowly pour the milk and flour mixture into the simmering stew. It’s important to stir constantly as you pour to ensure the flour disperses evenly and prevents lumps from forming. Continue to stir gently as the stew simmers for another 5 minutes. During this time, you’ll notice the soup begin to thicken beautifully, transforming into a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Step 5: Prepare the Dumpling Dough. Using the same medium mixing bowl (less dishes to clean, hooray!), combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt for the dumplings. Stir these dry ingredients together thoroughly. Then, gradually stir in the milk until the ingredients are just combined and all the flour pockets have disappeared. Be careful not to overmix the dough; overworking it can lead to tough and chewy dumplings. A few gentle stirs are all it takes for fluffy results.
- Step 6: Add the Dumplings. Increase the heat to medium and give the stew a good stir, making sure to scrape the bottom to prevent any scorching. Wait until the stew reaches a medium boil with active bubbles. Using a Tablespoon (a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop works perfectly for uniform dumplings and easy release), carefully spoon dollops of the dumpling dough into the actively boiling stew. Continue spooning until the surface of the stew is mostly covered with these delightful little dough balls.
- Step 7: Cook and Serve. Immediately cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. This is crucial for steaming the dumplings properly. Cook for 8-9 minutes without lifting the lid – resist the urge to peek! Once the time is up, remove the lid and gently test a dumpling with a fork. If it still feels doughy or wet in the center, cover the pot again and cook for another 1-2 minutes. A perfectly cooked dumpling will have an interior texture similar to cooked bread, light and airy. Once done, serve your hot and satisfying Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup immediately. Enjoy every comforting bite!
📌 Top Tips & Hacks for Perfect Chicken and Dumplings
Achieving restaurant-quality creamy chicken and dumplings at home is easier than you think with these expert tips and tricks:
- Do Not Overmix the Dumpling Dough: This is arguably the most critical tip for light and fluffy dumplings. The moment the wet and dry ingredients are just combined and no streaks of dry flour remain, stop mixing. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, rubbery, and undesirable dumplings. Embrace a slightly lumpy dough – it’s a sign of a tender dumpling to come!
- Grease Your Scoop for Easy Release: To ensure your dumpling dough slides off your tablespoon or cookie scoop cleanly and effortlessly into the hot stew, lightly spray it with baking spray or grease it with a tiny bit of oil between scoops. This simple hack prevents sticking and ensures uniform, beautifully shaped dumplings.
- Size Matters for Dumplings: While it might be tempting to make large, impressive dumplings, smaller is truly better for even cooking. Aim for about 25 smaller-sized dumplings rather than fewer, larger ones. Larger dumplings take significantly longer to cook through, increasing the risk of an undercooked, doughy center while the soup might overcook.
- Ensure a Rolling Boil Before Adding Dumplings: Before you start spooning in the dumpling dough, ensure your stew is at a strong, bubbling boil and give it a thorough stir, especially scraping the bottom of the pot. If the stew isn’t actively boiling, the cold dough can sink to the bottom and form hard, dense lumps instead of light, fluffy clouds. A vigorous simmer helps the dumplings cook quickly and float.
- Lid On, Hands Off – The Golden Rule of Dumpling Cooking: Once the dumplings are added, immediately cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. This traps the steam, which is essential for cooking the dumplings from all sides and making them light and airy. Crucially, DO NOT PEEK during the initial 8-9 minutes of cooking. Lifting the lid releases the steam and heat, which can cause the dumplings to deflate or cook unevenly, often resulting in a doughy interior. Trust the process and your timer!
❓Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your chicken and dumpling soup turns out perfectly every time.
Chicken and dumpling soup is a fantastic make-ahead meal.
Refrigerate: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The dumplings will absorb more liquid over time, becoming even softer.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the soup (including dumplings) in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then gently warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed to restore consistency.
Bland soup is easily remedied! Before adding the raw dumplings, always taste your stew. If it needs a boost, your favorite options for enhancing flavor are adding a little more garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of salt and pepper. A tiny splash of Worcestershire sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice can also brighten the flavors. Don’t be shy with seasonings – they are key to a truly delicious soup!
Undercooked or raw dumplings are usually a result of insufficient cooking time or improper steaming. Here are the key ways to prevent them:
1. Ensure a Rolling Boil: Make sure the soup is actively bubbling and simmering before you place the raw dumpling dough on top.
2. Immediate Lid Cover: As soon as the dumplings are in, immediately put a tight-fitting lid over the pot to trap the steam.
3. Set a Timer: Cook the dumplings for the full 8-9 minutes. Precision helps!
4. Resist the Urge to Peek: Do not lift the lid until the timer goes off. Releasing the steam lowers the cooking temperature and can lead to doughy centers. After 8-9 minutes, you can lift the lid and test a dumpling with a fork.
Burning on the bottom is a common issue when cooking creamy soups, especially after adding thickeners like flour and milk.
1. Stir Thoroughly: After adding the milk and flour to thicken the soup, stir it occasionally to prevent it from sticking and scorching. Just before adding the raw dumplings, give the soup a really good stir, ensuring you scrape the bottom of the pot.
2. Control the Heat: Avoid cooking the soup on high heat once it has thickened. Set it to a low/medium heat so the soup is bubbling gently, not violently, while the lid is on the pot cooking the dumplings. A heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch oven also greatly helps distribute heat more evenly and reduces the risk of burning.
Absolutely! This recipe is wonderfully adaptable for a slow cooker, making it even more convenient for hands-off cooking, much like our popular Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Stew.
1. To prepare in a slow cooker, simply mix all the stew and thickening ingredients (chicken, onion, broth, spices, vegetables, milk, and flour) directly into your crock-pot. Cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
2. After the initial cooking time, prepare the dumpling dough as instructed. Stir the soup well, then drop the dumpling dough onto the surface of the simmering soup. Cover and continue to cook on high for another hour, or until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy. This method results in an equally delicious and incredibly tender soup!
🥣 More Delicious Soup Recipes to Explore
If you loved this Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup, you’re in for a treat! Our kitchen is always bubbling with new and exciting soup creations. Here are a few more comforting and flavorful soup recipes that we think you’ll adore, perfect for any season and any meal:
- Canned Homemade Tomato Soup
- Potato Cauliflower Soup
- Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Shrimp and Corn Chowder
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📝 Printable Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Dumplings
Creamy Chicken and Dumplings
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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1 Heavy Bottom Pot (Dutch Oven)
Ingredients
For the Stew:
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb raw chicken, about 2 medium breasts (about 3 cups chopped)
- ½ onion, diced (about ½ cup, 65 g)
- 2 cups chicken broth (275 mL)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
- 4 cups frozen mixed vegetables (I use peas, corn, carrots, and green beans)
For the Thickening Mixture:
- 2-½ cups milk (600 mL)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (63 g)
For the Dumplings:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (260 g)
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk (235 mL)
Instructions
For the Stew:
-
In a large cooking pot (preferably a heavy-bottomed one like a Dutch oven), heat olive oil and add the chopped chicken and diced onion. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the onions are soft and translucent.
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Add chicken broth, garlic & onion powder, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, chicken bouillon, and the frozen mixed vegetables (no need to thaw first). Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
For the Thickening Mixture:
-
Meanwhile, in a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and flour until completely smooth with no lumps. Slowly pour this mixture into the simmering stew, stirring constantly to ensure it thickens evenly. Continue to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring until the soup has reached a desired creamy consistency.
For the Dumplings:
-
In the same medium mixing bowl you used for the thickening mixture (to save on dishes), combine the flour, baking powder, and salt for the dumplings. Stir in the milk and mix just until combined and all flour pockets are gone. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the dumplings tough.
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Turn the heat to medium-high and give the stew a good stir, ensuring to scrape the bottom to prevent scorching. Wait until the stew is at a medium, active boil. Use a Tablespoon (a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop works well for this) to spoon dollops of dumpling dough into the boiling stew until the surface of the stew is covered with the dough balls.
- Cover the stew and dumplings with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 8-9 minutes without lifting the lid. Remove the lid and test a dumpling with a fork; if it’s still doughy in the center, cover and cook for another 1-2 minutes. The inside of a cooked dumpling will resemble cooked bread. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade creamy chicken and dumpling soup!
Notes
To adapt for the slow cooker: Simply mix all the stew ingredients (chicken, onion, broth, spices, vegetables) and the thickening ingredients (milk and flour) directly into your crock-pot. Cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
After the initial slow cooking time, prepare your dumpling dough. Drop the dumpling dough onto the surface of the hot soup in the crock-pot. Cover and continue to cook on high for an additional hour, or until the dumplings are perfectly cooked through and fluffy. This method yields an incredibly tender chicken and rich soup with minimal effort!