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Whip up this hearty Chicken Dumpling Soup when you're craving something soothing and substantial. Flavorful stock packed with juicy chicken and crisp vegetables, crowned with pillowy, airy dumplings that simmer directly in the broth. Just right for chilly evenings or whenever you need a comforting meal. Cook extra - seconds will definitely be requested.
What Makes This Soup Special
Combine traditional chicken soup flavors with fluffy homemade dumplings bobbing in steaming broth. Simple enough for hectic evenings but tastes like you've been cooking all day. Gets you toasty when it's freezing outside. The soft dumplings and savory broth win over both youngsters and adults alike.
Ingredients List
- Butter: Adds richness
- Carrots: Diced small
- Celery: Cut into thin pieces
- Onion: Finely diced
- Fresh Garlic: Minced up
- Salt and Pepper: Season to liking
- Chicken Broth: Forms the foundation
- Bay Leaves: Infuses aroma
- Shredded Chicken: Pre-cooked pieces
- Parsley: Fresh or dried option
- Flour: Dumpling base
- Cornstarch: Thickens the liquid
- Baking Powder: Creates fluffiness
- Cold Butter: For dumpling texture
- Milk: Moistens the dough
Cooking Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables:
- Heat butter in large pot on medium. Toss in carrots, onions, celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Throw in garlic, cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Create Soup Foundation:
- Add the chicken broth. Mix in chicken pieces, seasonings, bay leaves, and parsley. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower heat to maintain a simmer.
- Create Dumpling Mixture:
- Combine flour, baking powder, salt in a bowl. Grate cold butter into the dry ingredients. Mix lightly with a fork. Slowly add milk, stirring until just combined. Don't overmix or you'll end up with tough dumplings.
- Add Dumplings:
- Form golf ball-sized chunks of dough. Drop them into the bubbling soup. Cover the pot with a lid. Let cook for 15-20 minutes until dumplings puff up and float.
- Thicken Your Soup:
- Mix cold water with cornstarch in a small container. Pour slowly into soup while stirring. Continue mixing until you reach your preferred thickness.
- Adjust Flavors:
- Give soup a taste. Add extra salt or pepper if needed. Fish out the bay leaves.
- Allow Brief Cooling:
- Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Dumplings will absorb more flavors.
- Dish It Up:
- Ladle into bowls ensuring everyone gets dumplings in their portion. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
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Comforting Meal Option
This soup feels like a warm hug in bowl form. The chicken and veggies make it satisfying, but those fluffy dumplings truly make it extraordinary. Ideal during cold weather or whenever you want something soothing. Even the fussiest eaters won't leave a drop behind.
Speedy Family Meal
Works as a fast supper on packed evenings. Prep chicken beforehand to cut down time. Whip up dumplings while soup bubbles - only takes a few minutes. Everything cooks in one pot for easier cleanup. From start to finish, dinner's ready in around 45 minutes.
Dumpling Success Tips
Dumplings steal the show in this meal. Keep your butter super cold until mixing time - they'll turn out lighter. Don't mix the batter too much or they'll become dense. Drop equal-sized portions so everything cooks evenly. Don't lift the lid during cooking or they'll sink down flat.
Perfecting Your Broth
Get your soup thick enough to support those dumplings. Cold water mixed with cornstarch does the trick without clumping. Stir carefully once dumplings are cooking so they stay intact. Test your broth flavor before adding dumplings - it's much simpler to tweak seasonings then.
Plan-Ahead Options
Cook the soup portion a day early if you want. Just add fresh dumplings right before you're ready to eat. The soup actually tastes better the next day with more blended flavors. It freezes well too, but store without dumplings. Make a new batch when you warm it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Dumplings turning out too firm?
Be gentle when mixing. Let them float freely while cooking. Don’t rush the process—keep the lid tightly secured for soft results.
- → How do I save leftovers?
Store it well in the fridge for a few days. Reheat gently on low and stir lightly. Add a bit of broth to freshen it up if needed.
- → Can I use precooked chicken?
Absolutely! Just shred it into fine pieces and throw it in toward the end of cooking. Saves a lot of prep time but still tastes amazing.
- → What can I use instead of regular flour?
Try rice flour or other gluten-free options—they work great! Check the package instructions and adjust cook time since the dough might need extra liquid.
- → The soup is too watery—what now?
Let it simmer longer to thicken. You can also add a cornstarch slurry, mash some of the veggies, or use less broth. Dumplings also absorb some liquid as they cook.
- → How do I transport this dish?
Keep your soup base hot. Cook the dumplings once you arrive or pack extra stock to reheat. Bring along fresh herbs for garnish.
- → What’s the fastest way to make this?
Use pre-chopped veggies and rotisserie chicken to cut prep time. Instant dumpling mix can help too. Stick with a short cooking time, and it’ll still be delicious.
- → How can I make a bigger portion?
Doubling works fine. Just grab a bigger pot, make more dumplings, and ensure there’s enough room to cook it all evenly. It might need slightly more time.
- → How do I boost the flavor?
Add fresh herbs or some minced garlic. Browning your veggies first adds depth. Season your chicken well or even splash in a little wine for rich taste.
- → Why are my dumplings breaking apart?
Drop them in carefully and avoid stirring too much. Keep the heat on medium, not high, and give them enough time to cook with the lid on.
- → Made too much or not enough?
Freeze any leftovers for later—this works great! If it’s too thick, add a splash of broth while reheating. Dumplings are best freshly made but easy to adjust next time.
- → What if kids don’t like chunky bits?
Chop everything extra small! You can blend the soup until smooth and make tiny dumplings to keep things simple. Dial back on herbs if needed.
Conclusion
If you enjoy this, you might like chicken with rice or a creamy chicken soup next. Both warm you on chilly nights.