Name: Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 lbs. bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs; Salt and pepper, to taste; 5 tablespoons butter; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 1 cup carrots, diced; 2 sticks celery, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s hot sauce); 1/3 cup flour; 4 ½ cups chicken broth; 1 chicken bouillon cube (optional); 1 ½ cups half and half; ¾ cup frozen peas; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon dried parsley; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon dried rosemary; ½ teaspoon mustard powder; ¼ teaspoon ground sage; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 2 teaspoons sugar; ¾ cup cold sour cream

If you’re craving a comforting, soul-warming bowl of goodness, then you’re going to adore this Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a hug in a bowl—perfect for chilly nights or anytime you want to cozy up. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll find it hard to go back to ordinary chicken soup. The creamy broth, tender chicken, and pillowy dumplings come together in such a satisfying way that my family literally goes crazy for it. Ready to make your kitchen smell amazing and fill your belly? Let’s dive in!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, Flavorful Broth: Searing the chicken and layering in seasonings create a soup base that’s deeply savory and satisfying.
Fluffy Dumplings: The dumplings steam perfectly right on top of the soup, giving you that classic, comforting texture you’re craving.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry, and the combination just works so well together.
Family Friendly: This recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike—making it perfect for weeknight dinners or lazy weekends.

A large blue round pot filled with a creamy stew showing about 15 soft yellow biscuit dumplings sitting on top in a thick light brown sauce with small pieces of orange carrots, green peas, and bits of herbs like thyme sprinkled throughout. A silver spoon with a wooden handle rests inside the pot among the dumplings. The pot sits on cream fabric placed on a white marbled surface, with white stacked plates in the top left corner and small sprigs of fresh thyme nearby photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup, Creamy Chicken and Dumplings, comforting chicken soup with dumplings, hearty chicken and dumplings recipe, easy creamy chicken soup

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients aren’t just a list, they’re a team that works in harmony. Fresh veggies, quality chicken, and a blend of seasonings all add layers of flavor, while the dumplings bring that special touch you look forward to.

Flat lay of a raw bone-in skinless chicken breast with natural pink and white tones, a small mound of whole uncracked brown eggs, a few fresh bright orange diced carrots, two crisp green celery stalks with leaves, a small whole yellow onion, three peeled garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white cake flour, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of cold milk, a small white ceramic bowl of pale sour cream, a small white ceramic bowl of light beige chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl of frozen green peas, a small white ceramic bowl of mixed dried herbs (basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, mustard powder, sage, pepper), a small white ceramic bowl containing bright reddish hot sauce, and a small white ceramic bowl with dark brown Worcestershire sauce, all neatly arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup, Creamy Chicken and Dumplings, comforting chicken soup with dumplings, hearty chicken and dumplings recipe, easy creamy chicken soup

Olive oil: Great for searing chicken without overpowering the flavors.
Bone-in skinless chicken breast or thighs: Using bone-in adds extra depth to the broth—trust me, it’s worth it.
Butter: Adds richness to both the soup base and the dumplings.
Yellow onion: The sweet base note for your soup’s flavor.
Carrots and celery: Classic mirepoix veggies that build the heartiness.
Garlic: Gives a punch of aroma and flavor.
Worcestershire sauce: A secret weapon to boost umami without tasting like it’s in the soup.
Hot sauce: I use Frank’s for just a subtle kick, but adjust to your heat preference.
Flour: Thickens the soup and forms the base for the dumplings.
Chicken broth: The soul of this soup—homemade or store-bought works fine.
Chicken bouillon cube (optional): For extra depth if preferred.
Half and half: Adds that creamy texture without being too heavy.
Frozen peas: A splash of color and sweetness towards the end.
Seasonings (onion powder, dried basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, mustard powder, ground sage, pepper): This blend creates a beautiful, layered herbal flavor profile.
Dumpling ingredients (cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, sugar, sour cream, milk, melted butter): These combine to make soft, flavorful dumplings that steam up just right on your soup.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe is—you can tailor it to your tastes or dietary needs without losing any of the magic. Whether you want to lighten it up or make it heartier, you’ve got options.

Use boneless chicken: I’ve made this with boneless chicken breasts when in a hurry, and it works perfectly—you’ll just want to add it later in the process since it cooks quickly.
Make it vegetarian: You can swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and leave out the chicken altogether. Add extra veggies like mushrooms or potatoes for bulk.
Gluten-free dumplings: I experimented with gluten-free flour blends and had good results, though the texture is slightly different—be gentle when mixing the dough!
Spice it up: If you’re into heat, add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne to the soup before adding dumplings.

How to Make Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sear the Chicken for Maximum Flavor

This step might feel like a time investment, but I promise it’s worth every extra minute. Season your bone-in chicken with salt and pepper, then heat up olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and let it brown for about 3 minutes per side. Don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked in the middle—that’ll happen in the soup! What this does is build rich, savory flavors right in the pot, which makes your broth taste incredible. After searing, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before chopping it into bite-sized pieces and discarding the bones.

Step 2: Build the Soup Base with Veggies and Seasonings

Using the same pot, melt five tablespoons of butter and use a spatula to scrape up all those beautiful browned bits from the searing step. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes until everything softens. Then stir in garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and your blend of seasonings. Cook for another minute to let the aromas come alive. This step really layers the flavors and draws out sweetness while creating a cozy savory foundation.

Step 3: Thicken the Broth and Add Cream

Sprinkle in the flour and toss it with veggies so everything gets coated. Cook this mixture for about 2 minutes while stirring—this helps to get rid of any raw flour taste. Next, gradually pour in your chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, and scrape up any stuck bits from the bottom of the pot to keep that flavor going. Follow with the half and half, adding it carefully for a creamy, luscious texture. If you want a flavor boost, toss in the chicken bouillon cube here too. Lastly, toss in the frozen peas and bring the whole pot to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Mix Dumplings and Add Them to the Soup

While the soup simmers, combine your dumpling ingredients in a bowl: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and sugar. Add cold sour cream, milk, and melted butter, folding gently to combine just until the dough holds together. You don’t want to overmix; otherwise, the dumplings become tough. Add your chopped chicken back into the pot along with any juices—if using leftover chicken, now’s the time to add it.

Using a small scoop or spoon, carefully dollop the dumplings evenly over the simmering soup. Spoon a little broth or liquid over each dumpling to keep them moist. Cover your pot tightly and keep the heat on low so the soup simmers gently. Resist the urge to peek! Set a timer for 15 minutes to let those dumplings steam perfectly.

Step 5: Check and Serve

After 15 minutes, carefully lift the lid and test a dumpling by poking it with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, you’re all set. If not, cover and simmer a few more minutes. Once ready, give everything a gentle stir, garnish with fresh parsley if you like, and serve hot. The dumplings will be soft, the soup creamy, and the chicken tender—just the way I love it.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe

Don’t Skip the Sear: Even though you can add uncooked chicken directly, I discovered searing adds a real flavor boost you won’t want to miss.
Be Gentle with Dumplings: Overmixing the dough makes dumplings dense; fold just until everything is combined for the best fluffiness.
Resist Lifting the Lid: The dumplings need steam! Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to get that perfect tender texture.
Check for Doneness with a Toothpick: This simple check ensures your dumplings are cooked through without drying out.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple here—a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a lovely pop of color and freshness against the creamy soup. Sometimes I’ll add a tiny grate of freshly ground black pepper or a pinch of cayenne for a bit of heat. You can also toss in chopped chives or thyme if you want to stay in herbal territory. These little touches make each bowl feel special.

Side Dishes

This soup stands tall on its own, but I like pairing it with crusty bread or homemade cornbread to soak up every last bit of that creamy broth. A light green salad on the side adds a fresh crunch and balances the meal. For something extra cozy, roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or green beans make lovely companions.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve made this for family gatherings, I sometimes ladle the soup into rustic bowls lined with a small piece of toasted baguette or place a dumpling on top of each bowl before serving for a charming touch. For special occasions, a drizzle of herb-infused oil over the dumplings or a dash of smoked paprika can wow your guests without much extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually transfer leftover soup to airtight containers and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days. Remember, the dumplings tend to absorb liquid over time, so the soup might thicken. When reheating, just add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it back up.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the soup before but recommend freezing without the dumplings, as they don’t hold up well. Freeze the broth and chicken mixture separately, then add fresh dumplings when you reheat. This keeps everything tasting fresh and delicious.

Reheating

Slow and steady wins here. Reheat the soup gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a bit of chicken broth or water if it feels too thick. If you need to add dumplings, cook them fresh while warming the soup for the best experience.

FAQs

Can I make the Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe without bone-in chicken?

Absolutely! You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Just keep in mind that using bone-in adds more flavor to the broth. If you use boneless, add the chicken later in the cooking process as it cooks faster to avoid drying out.
Can I prepare the dumplings ahead of time?

While it’s best to make dumplings fresh so they stay tender and fluffy, you can mix the dry ingredients ahead and store them in an airtight container. Add wet ingredients just before cooking to maintain the light texture.
What if I don’t have half and half on hand?

You can substitute with a mix of whole milk and heavy cream or just use whole milk alone for a lighter version. The soup might be less rich but still delicious.
How do I avoid dense dumplings?

Be gentle when folding your dumpling dough—overmixing activates gluten and leads to dense dumplings. Just combine until ingredients come together for the best light, fluffy texture.
Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?

Yes! I often use leftover cooked chicken to save time. Add it just before you add the dumplings so it warms through without overcooking.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe is one of my all-time favorites to make when I want to feel cozy and truly nourished. The way the dumplings steam on top of the rich, herb-infused broth—and how the chicken stays tender—makes it a home run in my book every single time. I hope you’ll give it a try and make it your go-to comfort meal, the same way it’s become mine. Trust me, your family will thank you.