Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings

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

A hearty, creamy soup with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a touch of thyme. This Southern-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs chicken breast (boneless, skinless), carrots (peeled, diced), celery (diced) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 30 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes until golden. Gradually stir in chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form.
  2. Step 2: Add chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until chicken is nearly cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Using a slotted spoon, skim any foam from the surface of the broth.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 cup cold water to make a slurry. Stir into the soup and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the pot. Add heavy cream and cook for 5 minutes until the soup is creamy and the chicken is fully cooked. Serve with dumplings made from 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 tsp salt, and 3/4 cup milk, rolled into balls and dropped into the soup to cook for 5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings?

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 carrots (peeled, diced) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings?

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 Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings 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 Southern Comfort Chicken and Dumplings?

Southern soups 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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