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.
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.
Why you will love this chicken and dumpling soup recipe…
Caramelized Onion and Sage Chicken and Dumpling Soup
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
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:
🧑🍳 Expert Tips
Storage Suggestions
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.
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