Name: One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks; 2 tbsp butter or olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 carrots, sliced; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups chicken broth; 1 cup milk or heavy cream; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp dried parsley; 1 bay leaf; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup milk; 2 tbsp butter, melted; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Why You’ll Love One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it’s hearty, wholesome, and incredibly easy to make. Everything cooks in one pot, meaning fewer dishes and deeper flavor as the ingredients simmer together. The fluffy dumplings soak up the savory broth, making each spoonful comforting and satisfying. It’s a timeless, family-friendly meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
Butter or olive oil
Onion, diced
Carrots, sliced
Celery, chopped
Garlic, minced
All-purpose flour
Chicken broth
Milk or heavy cream
Dried thyme
Dried parsley
Bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste

For the dumplings:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Milk
Butter, melted
Fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

Cook the Chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4–5 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Build the Base: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring until smooth and thickened.
Simmer the Soup: Add cooked chicken back to the pot along with thyme, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes.
Make the Dumplings: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter until a soft dough forms.
Add the Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the simmering soup. Cover tightly and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid (this ensures the dumplings steam properly).
Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf, check seasoning, and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy!

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 6 people.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes

Variations

Creamier Version: Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for extra richness.
Herb Dumplings: Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the dumpling dough.
Vegetable Boost: Add peas, corn, or green beans for extra color and nutrition.
Rotisserie Shortcut: Use shredded rotisserie chicken for an even faster meal.
Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free flour for both the soup base and dumplings.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the soup as it thickens. Dumplings will soften slightly upon reheating but remain delicious. For longer storage, freeze the soup base without dumplings and make a fresh batch when reheating.

FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought biscuits for the dumplings?

Yes, canned biscuit dough works great—just cut it into pieces and drop into the simmering soup.

2. What’s the best chicken to use?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs add the most flavor and tenderness, but chicken breast works perfectly too.

3. Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, then add dumplings and cook for another 30 minutes.

4. Why did my dumplings turn out dense?

Be sure not to overmix the dough and keep the pot covered while they cook so the steam can make them fluffy.

5. Can I make the soup dairy-free?

Yes, use olive oil instead of butter and substitute unsweetened almond or oat milk.

6. How do I thicken the soup?

Let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes, or whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water).

7. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Absolutely—just skip the initial browning step and add it once the broth is simmering.

8. Can I add potatoes?

Yes, diced potatoes can be added along with the carrots and celery for extra heartiness.

9. Can I freeze Chicken Dumpling Soup?

Freeze the broth and chicken mixture without dumplings for best results. Add fresh dumplings when reheating.

10. What should I serve with this soup?

A green salad or crusty bread complements it beautifully, but it’s hearty enough to serve on its own.

Conclusion

One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup is a classic comfort dish that combines rich, creamy broth, tender chicken, and pillowy dumplings in every bite. Simple, satisfying, and made in one pot, it’s a recipe that brings warmth to the table any time of year. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this cozy soup is sure to become a family favorite.