Old-fashioned chicken and dumpling soup made from scratch. A hearty, homestyle comfort meal perfect for chilly evenings and family dinners.
There’s something deeply comforting about a pot of chicken and dumpling soup simmering on the stove. The steam rising from the pot, the scent of tender chicken, herbs, and soft dumplings.
Well, my mom is a grandma, and she makes this all the time for our family. I’m so glad she taught me how to make this too.
This is the kind of meal we turn to after a long day outside or when everyone is feeling under the weather. It’s hearty, simple, and made from humble pantry staples. No fancy ingredients. No complicated steps. Just nourishing, old-fashioned goodness that stretches ingredients and fills hungry bellies.
This easy homemade chicken and dumplings recipe is the kind you’ll come back to again and again. Especially on chilly evenings or when someone needs a little extra comfort.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Made with simple pantry staples
- One-pot comfort meal
- Budget-friendly and filling
- Great for using leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken
- Freezer-friendly
- Perfect for cold weather meals
For homesteaders and home cooks alike, this recipe is practical, hearty, and deeply satisfying.
Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumpling Soup
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Medium Onion diced
- 3 Medium Carrots diced
- 4 Ribs Celery diced
- 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Chicken Soup Base heaping Tbsp. add more or less per your taste preference
- 6 Cups Water or chicken broth, enough to fill kettle
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken cut up or shredded plus the juices
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
Dumpling Ingredients
- 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 Teaspoons Salt
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 Cup Milk
Instructions
How to Make Chicken and Dumpling Soup
- Build the Flavor Base. Start by sautéing your onions, carrots, and celery in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a little olive oil. This simple step builds the foundation of flavor for your broth.1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Medium Onion, 3 Medium Carrots, 4 Ribs Celery
- Stir in your water or broth, black pepper, soup base, dried parsley, and cooked chicken. Let everything simmer gently so the flavors blend together beautifully.1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 Tablespoon Chicken Soup Base, 6 Cups Water, 1 Rotisserie Chicken, 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
- Mix the Dumpling Dough. In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients; flour and salt. Give it a little stir. Stir in the milk and egg until just combined. Do not overmix. This keeps the dumplings tender.3 Cups All Purpose Flour, 2 Teaspoons Salt, 1 Large Egg, 1 Cup Milk
- Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling soup. I like to use a teaspoon and take little scoops that fill it about half full. They will expand as they cook. Cover and let steam without lifting the lid. 3-5 minutes. This allows the dumplings to cook through and become light and fluffy.
- Ladle into bowls and enjoy while hot and cozy.
Notes
- Don’t rush the simmer. A gentle simmer makes tender chicken and rich broth.
- Make sure that the soup is boiling before adding the dumplings. If not, I’ve had them fall apart. So, it’s essential the soup is boiling.
- Thicker broth? Mash a few carrots into the soup or stir in a small flour slurry.
- Too thick? Add a splash of warm broth or milk.
- Check the seasoning at the end. Salt levels change as the soup reduces.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Chicken and dumpling soup stores beautifully, which makes it ideal for meal prep.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Tip: Dumplings may absorb broth during storage. That’s completely normal.
How to Reheat
For best results:
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
- Add a splash of broth or milk to loosen the soup if it has thickened.
- Stir occasionally and heat just until warmed through.
Microwave reheating works fine for single bowls. Just cover loosely and stir halfway through.
Ways to Stretch This Recipe on the Homestead
One of the beautiful things about old-fashioned chicken and dumplings is how flexible it is.
- Add extra vegetables like peas or green beans.
- Stir in leftover roasted vegetables.
- Use homemade bone broth for extra nourishment.
- Double the dumplings to stretch the meal for larger families.
This is the kind of meal that makes one chicken go a long way. Something generations of farm families understood well.
Why are my dumplings dense?
Overmixing the dough or lifting the lid while they steam can make dumplings heavy.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely. It’s a wonderful shortcut and adds great flavor.
Can I make this with raw chicken?
Yes. Simmer raw chicken breasts or thighs in the broth until fully cooked, then shred or dice before adding dumplings.
Can I make the dumplings dairy-free?
You can substitute dairy-free milk and use oil instead of butter if needed.
What to Serve with Chicken and Dumplings
Honestly? This is a full meal on its own.
But if you’d like:
- Fresh farmhouse bread
- A simple garden salad
- Homemade biscuits
- Saltine crackers or oyster crackers
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
It pairs beautifully with simple sides.
A Meal That Feels Like Home
There’s a reason chicken and dumpling soup has stood the test of time. It’s humble. It’s filling. It brings people to the table.
In a world that moves fast, this is slow food in the best way — nourishing, practical, and rooted in tradition.
And that’s exactly what we love here at Hobby Homestead.
How This Fits Into a Freezer Meal Plan
When someone is recovering from surgery, the last thing they need to worry about is what’s for dinner. A nourishing, homemade chicken and dumpling soup is exactly the kind of meal that supports rest and recovery — warm, comforting, filling, and easy to reheat.
This recipe is especially well-suited for freezer meal prep.
Why It’s a Great Recovery Meal
- Soft, easy-to-eat comfort food
- Gentle on the stomach
- High in protein from the chicken
- Hydrating from the broth
- Hearty enough to be a complete meal
It’s the kind of meal that feels like care in a bowl.
Best Way to Freeze Chicken and Dumplings
You have two good options:
Option 1: Freeze Fully Cooked (Easiest for Her)
- Allow the soup to cool completely.
- Portion into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- Leave about 1 inch of headspace for expansion.
- Label with the name and reheating instructions.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Note: The dumplings may soften slightly after freezing, but they’ll still be delicious and comforting.
Option 2: Freeze Without Dumplings (Best Texture)
If you want the dumplings to be extra fluffy:
- Freeze just the soup base (chicken and broth mixture).
- Include a small labeled bag of dry dumpling mix with instructions.
She can simmer the soup and drop fresh dumplings in when ready to serve.
This takes a little more effort on her end, but gives the freshest texture.
How to Package for a Freezer Meal Train
If several of you are contributing:
- Freeze in family-size portions (serves 4–6)
- Or portion into individual containers for easy single servings
- Tape reheating instructions right on the lid
- Include the date prepared
You might even tuck in a small handwritten note. When someone is healing, those small gestures mean more than we realize.
Reheating Instructions to Include on the Label
From Frozen (Stovetop Preferred):
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator if possible.
- Pour into pot and reheat over medium-low heat.
- Add a splash of broth or milk if thickened.
- Heat until warmed through.
From Frozen (Quick Method):
- Place frozen block into pot.
- Add ¼–½ cup broth.
- Heat gently, stirring as it loosens.
Microwave (Single Serving):
- Cover loosely.
- Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between.
A Little Homestead Wisdom
Freezer meals aren’t just convenient — they’re community. This is how families have always carried one another through hard seasons. A pot of soup might seem simple, but it says:
You rest. We’ve got dinner covered.
And that’s the kind of generational care that builds strong families.
Gifting a Freezer Meal Label Idea
Here are a few ideas on how to make a label for a freezer meal for someone in need.
Freezer Label – Practical Version
Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Soup
Made with love on: __________
Use by: __________
Reheating Instructions:
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator if possible.
• Pour into pot and heat over medium-low.
• Add ¼–½ cup broth or milk if thickened.
• Stir gently and heat until warmed through.
From: __________________ 💛
Freezer Label – Heartfelt Version
Homemade Chicken & Dumplings
A little comfort for your recovery.
Made on: __________
Best by: __________
To Reheat:
Warm gently on the stovetop.
Add a splash of broth or milk if needed.
Stir with love and rest while it warms.
We’re cheering you on and covering dinner so you can focus on healing.
Love, __________________
Optional Add-On (If You Want It Extra Thoughtful)
You could include a small card that says:
“There’s nothing you need to do but rest. When you’re tired and don’t feel like cooking, this is your permission to heat and eat.”
Here are a few other delicious recipe ideas for you to try.
So delicious and easy to make too.