Caramelized Onion and Sage Chicken and Dumpling Soup

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

Updated

This comforting chicken and dumpling soup is filling and delicious. The soup is bursting with flavor and the dumplings are juicy and delicious.
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What could be more comforting than a bowl of hearty chicken and dumpling soup? 

This chicken and dumpling soup is the perfect dish to enjoy while getting cozy on a cold winter’s day. It’s a classic dish that is the ultimate comfort dish for many of us.

This version is taken to a whole new level with the addition of caramelized onions and sage.

This chicken and dumpling soup is the perfect dish to enjoy while getting cozy

Starting the dish with the rich sweetness of the caramelized onions creates a depth of flavor that regular onions could never achieve.

The sage adds a bright, herbaceous flavor that cuts through all the richness.

The dumplings soak up all the delectable juices from the soup to create soft nuggets of flavor that are irresistible.

The dumplings soak up all the delectable juices from the soup

Why you will love this chicken and dumpling soup recipe…

  • Rich flavor– The caramelized onions add a richness that takes the soup to a whole new level.
  • Herbaceous- The fresh sage brightens the broth and makes it feel less heavy.
  • Easy techniques- This dish is approachable even for beginner cooks.
  • Simple ingredients- Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, all you need to buy is a rotisserie chicken.
  • Crowd pleaser- Everyone, from kids to grandparents, will love this dish!
Why you will love this chicken and dumpling soup recipe

Caramelized Onion and Sage Chicken and Dumpling Soup

This comforting chicken and dumpling soup is filling and delicious. The soup is bursting with flavor and the dumplings are juicy and delicious.
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 425 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the Soup:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (or cooked chicken breasts)
  • 4 fresh sage leaves
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika

For the Dumplings:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp cold butter, cubed
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh sage, finely chopped

Instructions
 

Ingredients

Step 1- Caramelize the Onions

  • Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
  • Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes until the onions are golden brown and caramelized. If they start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 2- Build the Broth

  • Add diced carrots, celery, sage leaves, and bay leaf to the pot. Cook for 3–5 minutes until slightly softened.
  • Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  • Stir in the shredded chicken and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3- Make the Dumplings

  • In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Cut in the cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Stir in milk, parsley, and chopped sage until just combined (don’t overmix!).

Step 4- Cook the Dumplings

  • Drop small spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering soup.
  • Cover the pot and cook for 12–15 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed and cooked through. Don’t lift the lid while they cook!

Step 5- Serve and Enjoy

  • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional fresh parsley or a small sage leaf for a pop of color. Serve with crusty bread if desired.

Nutrition

Calories 425kcal (21%)Carbohydrates 29g (10%)Protein 29g (58%)Fat 21g (32%)Saturated Fat 8g (50%)Polyunsaturated Fat 1gMonounsaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0.3gCholesterol 102mg (34%)Sodium 1207mg (52%)Potassium 363mg (10%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 6g (7%)Vitamin A 3758IU (75%)Vitamin C 6mg (7%)Calcium 87mg (9%)Iron 2mg (11%)
Keyword Chicken and Dumpling soup
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this soup alongside some crusty buttered sourdough or ciabatta bread. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own bread.

Here are some great recipes for homemade bread to serve with this soup:

Serve this soup alongside some crusty buttered sourdough

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Be patient. Caramelizing the onions needs to be done slowly over a low heat to prevent crisping and burning but the time it takes is worth it for the flavor you end up with.
  • Fluffy dumplings. Be careful not to overwork the dough so the dumplings are as light as possible.
  • Adjust the seasoning. Wait until after you’ve added the dumplings and they are almost finished cooking to do your final seasoning.
  • Roast your own chicken. This will allow you to have more control over the flavors in the dish.
This is an excellent dish to freeze for later

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat- Place back into a pot and reheat on medium heat until the soup bubbles.
  • To freeze- This is an excellent dish to freeze for later. Portion the soup into individual freezer-safe containers and label it with the date. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Chicken and Dumpling Soup FAQs

Where did chicken and dumplings originate?

This dish came to be in the kitchens of the southern United States.

What are the three components of dumplings?

The core three ingredients for dumplings are all-purpose flour, water, and salt. This is the most basic dumpling recipe but most recipes will include butter to make the dumplings richer. They are also easy to adapt by adding herbs and seasonings to the dough.

What’s the best flour for dumplings?

All-purpose flour is the ideal flour for dumplings because it will allow them to hold their structure the best.

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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