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This homemade chicken dumpling soup comes straight out of Mom’s cookbook. It’s that simple kind of comfort food that never goes out of style!

Chicken dumpling soup was one of my mom’s go-to, minimal effort recipes to feed her hungry pack of kids and husband. Aside from traditional kasha (buckwheat), I’d say dumplings in one shape or form were a constant on our dinner table. Let’s just say we didn’t complain. Who doesn’t like tender, fluffy dumplings after a long day? Especially when they come in the form of a perfect bowl of soup on a cold night…

This chicken soup is almost a perfect cross between traditional chicken noodle soup and Southern-style chicken and dumplings. You’ll love how simultaneously hearty and light it is. Truly the ultimate comfort food.

Note: You’ll need to whip up homemade dumplings for this chicken soup or find a store-bought version. Our Ukrainian-style dumplings recipe (aka galushki) is the most authentic to this soup. The kicker? You can make a big batch and freeze some for a rainy day.

Ingredients for Mom's Chicken Dumpling Soup

How to Make Mom’s Chicken Dumpling Soup

Making this soup only requires a bit of legwork and a few wholesome ingredients. Below, find a quick hitter overview of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Prep the Chicken: Using a sharp knife, cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
  • Sauté the Veggies: In an oiled large soup pot or Dutch oven, sauté the diced onions with chopped carrots and cook them until they begin to soften.
  • Create the Soup Base: Add the water and broth concentrate. Season to taste with salt. Next, add the diced chicken and let the soup simmer until it’s fully cooked.
  • Add the Dumplings & Potatoes: Once the chicken is cooked, add in the homemade dumplings and simmer them until they float to the top of the broth. Next, add the diced potatoes and simmer them until they are cooked through.
  • Top with Green Onions & Serve: Top the soup with fresh green onions and remove it from heat. Ladle yourself a giant bowl and enjoy!

What is the difference between chicken dumpling soup and chicken and dumplings? Chicken dumpling soup features a light broth speckled with veggies, tender chicken, and fluffy dumplings. On the other hand, chicken and dumplings consist of tender chicken and dumplings baked in cream of chicken soup.

Carrots and onions in a pot
Chicken and liquid added
Potatoes added to the dumpling soup
Mom's Chicken Dumpling Soup in a pot

Tips & Tricks

Below, find a handful of pro tips and tricks to help you make this soup just like mom would.

  • Use chicken thighs. This recipe calls for chicken thighs for a reason. Dark meat has so much flavor and brings such depth to the broth.
  • Swap the water for low-sodium chicken broth. If you want to add even more flavor, swap the water for low-sodium chicken broth or equal cups of chicken stock. 
  • Use yellow potatoes. The flavorful, yellow flesh of golden potatoes works best with this soup. The creaminess is unparalleled!

Quick Dinner Hack: If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or shredded skinless chicken breasts, feel free to substitute them in for chicken thighs when you’re in a pinch. You can also swap homemade dumplings for quick dumplings made with canned biscuits. To do so, simply roll the refrigerated biscuit dough into balls, pop them in the soup, and cook them through. 

What Goes with Chicken Dumpling Soup?

While this soup is filling enough to be eaten all on its own, it’s wonderful paired with some freshly baked bread. Baguette, honey wheat bread, and focaccia are all great options. For a more well-rounded dinner, serve it with beet garlic salad or a homemade caesar salad.

Storing Leftovers

  • Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken dumpling soup in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep for up to a week.
  • Freezer: To freeze leftover soup, first allow it to cool completely. Next, pop it into a freezer-safe back for up to 3 months. To thaw, pop the soup in the fridge overnight. Note: Always thaw this soup before reheating it, or else the dumplings will turn to mush when reheated.

Reheating Tip: To reheat the soup, pop it in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through or zap it in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

FAQ

How do you make chicken and dumpling soup thicker?

To make chicken and dumpling soup thick, you can add a bit of flour or cornstarch while it’s simmering.

Is chicken and dumplings a soup or stew?

Southern-style chicken and dumplings is considered a stew.

Can you overcook dumplings in chicken and dumplings?

Yes, you can overcook the dumplings. If you leave them on a simmer too long, they will begin to break apart and disintegrate.

What goes with chicken dumpling soup?

Chicken dumpling soup does well with a side salad or a variety of fresh-baked bread.

Can I make chicken dumpling soup spicy?

Yes, you can make chicken dumpling soup spicy by adding a bit of crushed red pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.

Other Hearty Soup Recipes

Recipe

Mom's Chicken Dumpling Soup in a pot

Mom’s Chicken Dumpling Soup

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Servings
10 Servings
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This homemade chicken dumpling soup comes straight out of Mom's cookbook. It's that simple kind of comfort food that never goes out of style!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 yellow onion diced
  • 2 small carrots chopped
  • 1 tbsp oil for cooking
  • 4 qts water
  • 1 tbsp Better Than Bouillon
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups homemade dumplings
  • 3 medium potatoes cleaned and chopped
  • 1/2 cup green onion diced
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients. Chop veggies. Cut the chicken thighs in to bite-sized pieces.
    Ingredients for Mom's Chicken Dumpling Soup
  • In a soup pot with oil, sauté the onion and carrots until lightly golden.
    Carrots and onions in a pot
  • Add the water, Better than Bouillon broth concentrate, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add the diced chicken and let the soup simmer until it's fully cooked, for about 20 minutes.
    Chicken and liquid added
  • Add in the dumplings and simmer until they float to the top.
    Dumplings added to the soup liquids simmering
  • Add potatoes to the soup pot and simmer until they are easily pierced with a fork. Add in the diced green onion and remove the soup from heat.
    Potatoes added to the dumpling soup
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!
    Mom's Chicken Dumpling Soup in a pot
Nutrition Facts
Mom's Chicken Dumpling Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 176 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 34mg11%
Sodium 976mg41%
Potassium 147mg4%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 2097IU42%
Vitamin C 7mg8%
Calcium 42mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted November 29, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.