The Story & Intro
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
When I first tasted Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup, I was wrapped in a warmth I didn’t know I was missing. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t plated with precision like in Parisian bistros. But oh là là it was soulful, comforting, and deeply nostalgic, even though it wasn’t from my childhood. One spoonful took me straight into a Southern grandmother’s kitchen I’d never stepped into before.
I remember it was a rainy afternoon in Tennessee, windows fogged, slow music humming in the background. A big pot simmered on the stove, filling the house with the scent of chicken, herbs, and buttery dumplings. That first bowl of Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup felt like a hug the kind you don’t want to end.
Since then, I’ve been obsessed with perfecting my own version. This recipe blends classic Southern comfort with my French love for depth of flavor. The broth is rich, the chicken is tender, and the dumplings are soft, pillowy clouds that soak up every drop of goodness. If you’re craving something cozy, healing, and timeless, this Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup will steal your heart just like it stole mine.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Soup Base
- 2 lbs bone-in chicken thighs or breasts
- 10 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
For the Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ¾ cup whole milk
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Simmer the Chicken
In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, add chicken, broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 30–35 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Step 2: Shred the Chicken
Remove chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred into bite-sized pieces, discarding skin and bones. Set aside.
Step 3: Build the Flavor
In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6–8 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Return the Chicken
Add shredded chicken back to the pot. Stir and let everything simmer gently while you prepare the dumplings.
Step 5: Make the Dumplings
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Stir in milk just until combined don’t overmix.
Step 6: Drop the Dumplings
Using a spoon, drop dumpling dough directly into the simmering soup. Cover and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. This is the secret to fluffy dumplings!
Step 7: Final Taste
Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle fresh parsley if desired.
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Perfect for slow evenings, chilly days, and cozy weekends 🕯️🍲
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve this Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup piping hot with:
- Warm buttermilk biscuits 🧈
- Cornbread with honey 🍯
- A simple green salad for balance 🥗
This soup is hearty enough to stand alone but plays beautifully with classic Southern sides.
📝 Notes
- Don’t peek while dumplings cook steam is everything!
- Bone-in chicken adds richer flavor, but boneless works in a pinch
- Leftovers taste even better the next day
- Soup thickens naturally as it sits add broth when reheating
🍲 Recipe Card
Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup 🥣
⏱️ Time
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 50 min | Total: 1 hr 10 min
🛒 Ingredients
Chicken, broth, vegetables, butter, flour, milk, herbs
👩🍳 Instructions
Simmer chicken → shred → sauté veggies → make dumplings → cook covered → enjoy
📝 Notes
Fluffy dumplings require patience and a covered pot
🍽️ Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
Calories: 420
Protein: 28g
Carbs: 32g
Fat: 20g
Conclusion
Every spoonful of this Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup feels like comfort wrapped in kindness. It reminds me why I fell in love with American home cooking it’s generous, soulful, and meant to be shared. From my French heart to your Southern table, I hope this recipe warms your kitchen and your spirit.
So grab a pot, turn on some music, and let this soup simmer slowly. Good food takes time and love 💛