Chicken and Dumpling Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty soup with tender chicken and homemade dumplings in a savory broth. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken breast, dumpling dough, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 American cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Dice the 1 onion into 1/2-inch cubes, peel and julienne the 1 carrot and 1 celery stalk into 3-inch strips, and mince the 2 cloves garlic. Heat 2L vegetable broth in a large pot over medium-high heat until it simmers, then add the chicken breast, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) for safety.
  2. Step 2: Roll out the 200g dumpling dough on a floured surface into a 1/4-inch thick sheet. Cut into 1-inch squares, then gently roll each square into a ball. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 1/3 of the dumplings, and cook for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface. Drain and repeat with the remaining dumplings. Tip: Wet your hands before shaping the dumplings to prevent them from sticking to the surface.
  3. Step 3: Add the cooked dumplings to the simmering chicken and vegetable broth. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 15 minutes, stirring gently every 5 minutes to prevent the dumplings from sticking to the bottom. Season with 1 tsp thyme and salt to taste, adjusting as needed. Tip: Taste a dumpling before serving to ensure it’s fully cooked and not underdone.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicken and Dumpling Soup take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chicken and Dumpling Soup?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chicken and Dumpling Soup?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chicken and Dumpling Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chicken and Dumpling Soup?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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