**Comfort in a Bowl: Hearty Chicken and Dumpling Soup**
When the weather turns chilly and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of **Chicken and Dumpling Soup**. This classic dish, often associated with home cooking and family gatherings, is the epitome of comfort food. With tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, this soup is sure to warm your heart and soul. Plus, it’s perfect for serving a crowd, making it ideal for family dinners or gatherings with friends. Here’s how to create this delicious soup that serves eight!
### Why You’ll Love Chicken and Dumpling Soup
1. **Hearty and Satisfying**: Packed with protein and nutrients, this soup is a complete meal in a bowl. It’s perfect for filling hungry bellies on a cold day.
2. **Easy to Make**: With straightforward ingredients and a simple cooking process, you can whip up this comforting dish in no time.
3. **Versatile**: Feel free to customize the soup by adding your favorite vegetables or herbs. This recipe is adaptable to your tastes, making it a family favorite.
### Ingredients You’ll Need
**For the Soup**:
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 carrots, sliced
– 2 celery stalks, sliced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 8 cups chicken broth
– 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 cups frozen peas
**For the Dumplings**:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup milk
– 1/4 cup butter, melted
– 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
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### Step-by-Step Instructions
**1. Sauté the Vegetables**:
– In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
– Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
– Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
**2. Add the Broth and Chicken**:
– Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
– Once boiling, add the shredded chicken, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
**3. Prepare the Dumpling Batter**:
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
– Add the milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy.
**4. Add the Peas and Dumplings**:
– Stir in the frozen peas into the simmering soup.
– Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the pot, covering the surface of the soup. The dumplings will expand as they cook.
**5. Cook the Dumplings**:
– Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 minutes without lifting the lid. This will allow the dumplings to steam and become fluffy.
**6. Serve**:
– Once the dumplings are cooked through, taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed.
– Ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving has a generous portion of chicken, vegetables, and dumplings.
### Tips for Success
– **Use Fresh Herbs**: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or parsley when serving.
– **Customize the Veggies**: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, such as corn, green beans, or mushrooms, to the soup.
– **Make Ahead**: This soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. The dumplings may become slightly denser upon reheating, but it will still taste great.
### Perfect for Any Occasion
**Chicken and Dumpling Soup** is not only a great dish for chilly nights but also perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you want to serve a comforting meal. It’s a nostalgic dish that evokes feelings of warmth and family togetherness, making it a favorite for many.
### Conclusion
This hearty **Chicken and Dumpling Soup** serves eight, making it perfect for sharing with loved ones. With its combination of tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, it’s the ideal dish to warm up with on a cold day. So gather your ingredients, get cooking, and enjoy a comforting bowl of soup that will bring smiles to your family’s faces!
