Creamy Chicken and Dumplings (Best Easy Soup Recipe) + Video (2024)

ByDonna Elick

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MyChicken & Dumpling Recipe, made with tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and a creamy chicken broth base, is full of flavor and makes a delicious meal. This savory stew recipe is not only comforting, but also so simple!Watch the helpful video in this postto see how easily this one pot meal comes together.

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings (Best Easy Soup Recipe) + Video (1)

Chicken & Dumpling Recipe

Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, made with easy dumplings from scratch!

Every bite of this hearty stew oozes with thick, creamy goodness, and the added veggies take it to the next level.

If this is your first time making this dumpling soup recipe, get ready for the whole family to be hooked. It’s a southern staple in my house!

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This stove top chicken & dumpling recipe is the perfect one pot meal for family dinner on a busy weeknight.

It’s literally the perfect comfort food that is easy peasy. You’ll love the creamy texture.

You’ll be amazed by how easy it is to prepare – ready in just 30 minutes! Perfect for a comforting meal on a chilly day.

For more delicious quick chicken meals, try my copycatOlive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soupor my easyAir Fryer Chicken Tenders.

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Chicken and Dumplings Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast– If you prefer dark meat, boneless skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative.

    This recipe also works well with turkey cutlets, or with rotisserie chicken if you’re in a hurry. Leftover shredded rotisserie chicken works great.

  • Chicken Broth– Chicken stock will work just fine too for this chicken & dumpling recipe.
  • Milk– This will give your dish its creamy consistency. I recommend whole milk, but you can also use low-fat milk.
  • Seasoning– Simple dried seasonings will bring the flavor out in this dish. This recipe uses salt, pepper, garlic, onion, basil, and parsley.

    But you can certainly use fresh herbs, or add dried rosemary and sage if you have those on hand!

  • Vegetables– Feel free to add your favorite vegetables. I use frozen peas and carrots here, but spinach and celery would also make excellent additions.
  • Dumpling Dough– Make easy homemade dumplings from scratch with just 5 ingredients — flour, softened butter, milk, baking powder, and salt.

    If you don’t have time to make homemade dumplings for this easy recipe, you can use storebought biscuit dough as well.

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Tips and Tricks for 30 Minute Chicken and Dumplings

  • Create a Slurry.Combine flour and milk in a sealable container like aMason Jar, and shake it up.

    You’ll get a smooth flour mixture called a slurry, which will help to thicken your sauce.

    This turns this recipe into more a a creamy chicken dumpling soup, loaded with flavor.

  • Don’t Overwork or Overcook Dumplings.Be careful not to overmix your dumpling dough or to cook it for too long in the pot, otherwise you might end up with dumplings that are too hard.

    Perfectly cooked dumplings turn out light, fluffy, and tender.

  • Test with a Toothpick.When your stew is close to ready, poke a dumpling with a toothpick. Your dumplings will be ready once the toothpick comes out clean.

    If there’s some residue on the toothpick, give them a few more minutes to finish cooking.

  • Try the Instant Pot.If you love this quick chicken and dumplings recipe, try myinstant pot versionnext.

    It’s just as tasty as the stove top version, but uses buttermilk biscuits for the dumplings instead! Either way, it will be a family favorite!

  • Add fresh seasonings.If you want to add a bit of fresh thyme to this dumplings recipe, it’s a great way to add more flavor.

    Minced garlic is also a great choice, and even a few bay leaves can help bump up the taste.

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Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This quick chicken and dumplings recipe is freezer-friendly and easy to store if you have leftovers!

Allow leftovers to cool before transferring to an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

If you want to keep them longer, place a layer of plastic wrap over the dish, under the lid, before popping the container into the freezer.

This will help prevent freezer burn. You can store your leftovers for about 3-4 months in the freezer.

When you’re ready to enjoy this meal, allow it to defrost in the refrigerator and then reheat on the stovetop on low heat.

You may need to add milk or cream to help loosen it up.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

  • Dutch Oven– I love this set and use it all the time. It is perfect for roasts, and I especially love it for my one-pot meals.
  • 1 Tablespoon Scoop– Use this to drop dumplings right into the pot!

Chicken & Dumpling Recipe FAQ

How can I thicken stove top chicken and dumplings?

You can thicken this dish by adding more flour, or even cornstarch. Create a slurry with either of these ingredients and milk or water, then stir into your broth base until you get your desired consistency.

Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth or chicken stock?

Yes, you can use vegetable broth if you have that on hand. You’ll still get a ton of delicious flavor from the chicken itself, plus the variety of seasonings — including poultry seasoning!

What sides go with chicken and dumplings?

Although this 30 minute chicken and dumplings recipe makes a hearty meal, you can easily pair this dish with a variety of other recipes to make your meal more complete!

Bake up someOlive Garden Breadsticksor mySweet Southern Buttermilk Cornbreadwhile everything simmers.

You’ll also love how this dish tastes with a side ofItalian Green Beansor these tasty air friedBrussel Sprouts with Bacon.

What do dumplings taste like?

This recipe makes the fluffiest dumplings, and I’m obsessed with the texture. You’ll notice right away that delicious dumplings are light, with a little bit of chew. When you make biscuit dumplings, they add a soft texture to the soup, which means there is no need for any added side of bread. (although, if you wanted to add bread to this recipe, I’m not going to stop you!)

These perfectly fluffy dumplings take on the flavor of the creamy soup really well, which helps round out the texture of this great recipe.

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Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Amazing Soup Recipes

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings (Best Easy Soup Recipe) + Video (12)

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings (Best Easy Soup Recipe) + Video

Donna Elick

This Chicken & Dumpling Recipe makes a one pot hearty stew with veggies and homemade dumplings in 30 minutes. You’re going to love it!

5 stars from 7 reviews

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Method Stovetop

Servings 8 1 cup servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 cups frozen peas and carrots

Dumplings

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions

  • In a heavy bottomed Dutch oven or large wide pot, over medium heat, add chicken broth, water, butter and all seasonings (poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, parsley, basil, and pepper). Cover and bring to a boil.

  • Meanwhile, cut chicken breast into bite sized pieces. Add to the pot. Stir to combine and cover.

  • In a sealable container (such as a large mason jar) combine flour and milk. Seal tightly and shake vigorously to combine well. You will create a smooth flour mixture for thickening your sauce called a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the pot, stirring constantly. Add frozen vegetables and cover.

  • Meanwhile combine dumpling ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well with a fork. Remove cover from the soup pot and stir well.

  • Drop dumplings into the soup one tablespoon at a time, use a 1 tablespoon scoop to make it even easier. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook until soup is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 358cal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 1158mg | Sugar: 7g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 3mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Originally published November 2012, updated December 2023

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

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Creamy Chicken and Dumplings (Best Easy Soup Recipe) + Video (2024)

FAQs

Why are my chicken and dumplings not fluffy? ›

Baking powder is the leavening agent of choice for fluffy dumplings. It is important that the right ratio of baking powder to flour be measured. Too little and the dumpling will not rise adequately; if there's too much baking powder, then the dumplings will rise and fall.

How do you thicken chicken and dumplings broth? ›

How can I thicken stove top chicken and dumplings? You can thicken this dish by adding more flour, or even cornstarch. Create a slurry with either of these ingredients and milk or water, then stir into your broth base until you get your desired consistency.

How do you thicken chicken and dumplings without cornstarch? ›

Add a roux: Make a roux by melting equal parts of butter and flour in a separate pan. Stir until it forms a smooth paste, and then whisk it into your chicken and dumpling mixture. This will thicken the broth.

How do you keep dumplings from falling apart in soup? ›

Here are some additional tips for preventing dumplings from falling apart:
  1. Use cold water. Cold water will help to keep the gluten from developing too much.
  2. Add a little bit of oil to the dough. ...
  3. Dust the dumplings with flour or cornstarch before cooking. ...
  4. Cook the dumplings in a well-seasoned pot or pan.
Mar 20, 2023

What is the secret to perfect dumplings? ›

Overworking the mixture, thus having heavy dumplings is a common mistake people make. Dumplings need very gentle handling, so mix only until the ingredients are just combined, and if your recipe involves rolling them out with extra flour, avoid using too much.

What can I add to my chicken and dumplings to make it thicker? ›

Use Cornstarch to Thicken Chicken and Dumplings

To give that a little thicker texture we're going to add 1 cup of cool water to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and stir it up well. Make sure the soup is brought back to a good boil and go ahead and stir in the cornstarch mixture.

Can I use water instead of chicken broth for chicken and dumplings? ›

If you don't have broth on hand and want a little more flavor than just plain water, try subbing in 1 cup of water plus 1 tablespoon of butter for every cup of chicken broth in your recipe. The butter will help create a richer flavor than just water alone.

Do dumplings float when done? ›

Cover and bring to a vigorous boil. Add roughly one cup of cold water and return to boil while covered. Repeat this step again. The dumplings will be completely cooked and ready when they float on the surface of the boiling water.

What is the best soup thickener? ›

Whisking beurre manié (butter-flour paste) into simmering soup is the best way to thicken an otherwise too-watery soup. Add bits of the paste gradually and simmer to cook out any raw flour taste. The broth will be velvety smooth, rich, and thick.

Why isn t my chicken and dumplings thick? ›

Use cornstarch or flour slurry: Mix a few tablespoons of cornstarch or flour with cold water to create a slurry. Gradually add this slurry to the simmering chicken and dumplings while stirring constantly. Cook for a few minutes until it thickens.

How to tell when dumplings are done in chicken and dumplings? ›

Cut a dumpling in half to check the center.

If you really want to be sure, remove a dumpling from the pot (go for a large one) and cut it in half. It should look cooked though, with the texture of a dinner roll. If the center looks a little raw, let the dumplings steam for another couple minutes.

Do you cook dumplings with lid on or lid off? ›

Once your water is boiling, let your dumplings cook in the steam for about ten minutes. Don't remove the lid as letting the steam escape will disrupt the cooking process and result in undercooked dumplings, so keep that lid on!

Why do my soup dumplings have no soup? ›

Why is there no soup in my soup dumplings? There are a few possible culprits here. Overcooking dumplings can cause the soup inside to evaporate. But if they're left to cool for too long, the gelatin in the soup will solidify.

How to keep dumplings from falling apart in chicken and dumplings? ›

So that they cook perfectly, the dumplings need to steam, so cover the pot with its lid. Keep the pot at a gentle simmer when cooking the dumplings. An aggressive simmer or boiling will break them apart. Keep the heat low and cover the pot so that they steam.

Why did my dumplings come out dense? ›

Don't over-mix. Just like any dough, if you over-mix it can result in dense, overworked dough, so just combine until the sticky dough has been formed. Stir occasionally. While you cook them you do want to keep the pot covered it is good to give them a gentle stir to make sure nothing is getting stuck to the bottom.

Why are my chicken and dumplings doughy? ›

Simmering broth might not be hot enough to raise the dumpling dough. Remove or tilt the lid after they've cooked so the dumplings don't over-steam and get soggy and dense. At least, that's the way I was taught and dumplings come out fluffy and delicious.

How do you make chicken and dumplings not bland? ›

Add about a teaspoon of salt and a big pinch of pepper or handful of peppercorns. Feel free to add several stalks/leaves of fresh herbs (no need to chop), like parsley, thyme, oregano, or sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat so water maintains a gentle simmer.

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