Here’s a classic recipe for chicken and dumpling soup that’s comforting, hearty, and perfect for chilly days:
Ingredients:
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
For the Dumplings:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions:
- Prepare the Soup:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the cooked chicken, bay leaf, dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried parsley, poultry seasoning (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- If using frozen peas, add them to the soup during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Prepare the Dumplings:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine the milk and melted butter.
- Gradually add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be slightly lumpy.
- Add the Dumplings to the Soup:
- Once the soup has simmered and the vegetables are tender, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering soup.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the dumplings cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and puffed up. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to ensure the dumplings cook properly.
- Serve:
- Once the dumplings are cooked, remove the bay leaf from the soup.
- Ladle the chicken and dumpling soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy the comforting warmth of this delicious homemade soup.
This chicken and dumpling soup is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for cold winter days or whenever you’re craving a cozy and satisfying meal. Enjoy!
