Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumpling Soup is a hearty and classic recipe, which is made with a whole chicken and fluffy cornmeal dumplings. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumpling Soup Ingredients

SOUP

• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup finely diced carrots
• 1/2 cup finely diced celery
• 1 whole medium onion, finely diced
• 1/2 tsp. ground thyme
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

DUMPLINGS

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 Tbsp. (heaping) baking powder
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley (optional)

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dumpling Soup

1. Prep and brown the chicken: Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then dredge them in the flour. Melt the butter and olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in two batches, brown the chicken on both sides. Remove the browned chicken to a clean plate.
2. Sauté vegetables and build the broth: In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the ground thyme and turmeric. Pour in the chicken broth and apple cider, stirring to combine.
3. Simmer the soup: Add the browned chicken pieces back into the pot. Cover and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Make the dumpling dough: While the soup simmers, prepare the dumplings. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Add the half-and-half and parsley (if using), stirring gently with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix. Set aside.
5. Finish the soup base: Remove the cooked chicken pieces from the pot. Once cool enough to handle, use two forks to pull the chicken meat from the bones and shred it. Discard the bones and skin. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and stir in the heavy cream.
6. Cook the dumplings: Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Drop heaping tablespoons of the dumpling dough into the simmering soup. Cover the pot (leaving the lid slightly ajar) and continue to simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. Check the seasonings, adding more salt if needed. Let the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

• How to get light, fluffy dumplings? The secret is twofold: do not overmix the dough, and do not lift the lid while the dumplings are simmering. Overmixing develops gluten, making them tough, and lifting the lid releases the steam needed to cook them properly.
• Can I use boneless chicken? Yes, you can use about 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts instead of a whole chicken. The cooking time will be similar.
• What does the apple cider do? It adds a subtle tang and sweetness that cuts through the richness of the creamy broth, creating a more balanced flavor profile.
• How do I make the soup thicker? The soup will naturally thicken as the dumplings cook. If you prefer it even thicker, you can let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes at the end.

What To Serve With Chicken and Dumpling Soup

This is a hearty, all-in-one meal. You don’t need much else, but these options are nice:

• A simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette
• Crusty bread for soaking up any leftover broth
• Steamed green beans

How To Store Chicken and Dumpling Soup

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be aware that the dumplings will continue to absorb the broth and will become softer.
• Freeze: Freezing is not highly recommended as the texture of the dumplings can become mushy upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh.

Chicken and Dumpling Soup Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Fat: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Protein: 30g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Bourbon Chicken Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Italian Chicken Soup Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Fried Chicken Recipe