Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Noodles Recipe: Cozy Comfort Food

Old-fashioned chicken & dumpling noodles weave a nostalgic culinary narrative of comfort and warmth straight from grandmother’s kitchen.

Rich, soul-soothing traditions dance through every spoonful of this classic comfort food.

Generations have treasured this hearty meal for its ability to revamp simple ingredients into something magical.

Soft, pillowy dumplings swimming in a golden broth represent more than just sustenance – they embody memories and connection.

Humble yet elegant, these noodles carry the essence of home-cooked meals that nourish both body and spirit.

Each bite whispers stories of family gatherings and shared moments around the dinner table.

You’ll fall in love with this timeless recipe that bridges generations through its delicious simplicity.

Why Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Noodles Still Hit the Spot

• Craft Comfort in a Bowl: This old-fashioned chicken and dumpling recipe delivers pure, hearty warmth with its rich, homemade broth and tender, pillowy dumplings that remind you of grandma's loving kitchen.
• Master Simple Culinary Magic: Create restaurant-quality comfort food using basic ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques that transform ordinary chicken and flour into an extraordinary, soul-satisfying meal.
• Nutrition Meets Nostalgia: Packed with lean protein, vegetables, and balanced macronutrients, this dish offers a delicious way to enjoy a classic comfort food that nourishes both body and soul with its wholesome ingredients and traditional cooking method.

What You’ll Need for Classic Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Noodles

• Chicken: Protein base of the dish, tender and flavorful meat that creates the main component of the soup.

• Celery, Carrot, Onion: Aromatic base that adds depth and sweetness to the soup, classic mirepoix combination for rich flavor.
• Garlic: Provides intense, savory undertone and enhances overall taste profile.
• Bay Leaf, Thyme: Classic herbs that infuse subtle earthy and herbal notes into the broth.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb for final garnish and color contrast.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure for dumplings, provides tender and soft texture.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent for light and fluffy dumpling texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create crumbly dumpling dough.
• Egg: Binds dumpling ingredients and adds richness.
• Milk: Provides liquid and softness to dumpling dough.
• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid base for the soup, creates deep and comforting taste.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Cooking fat for sautéing vegetables and adding richness.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance overall flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese (Optional): Garnish that adds salty, nutty finish to the dish.

How to Bring Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Noodles to Life

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown chicken in 2 batches, ensuring all sides are golden. Remove chicken and cover with foil.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Celery
• Carrot
• Onion
• Garlic
• Bay leaf
• Thyme
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until vegetables soften.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

Stir in chicken broth and return chicken to pot. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer while preparing dumplings.

Step 4: Create Dumpling Mixture

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Incorporate vegetable oil using a fork until mixture becomes crumbly.

Step 5: Form Dumpling Dough

Create a center well in flour mixture. Add egg and milk. Stir to combine. Adjust flour if mixture seems too wet.

Step 6: Slice Dumpling Strips

On a floured surface, roll out half the dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 1/2-inch wide and 2-3 inch long strips using a pastry wheel or pizza cutter.

Step 7: Cook Dumplings

Gently drop dough strips into simmering soup in batches. Stir carefully. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8: Final Touch

Remove bay leaf. Stir in fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve in bowls and optionally sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Helpful Tips for Better Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Noodles

• Chicken Browning Secret: Ensure the chicken pieces are patted dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior that locks in maximum flavor.
• Vegetable Sauté Technique: Dice vegetables uniformly to promote even cooking and release their natural sweetness during the 10-minute sautéing process.
• Dumpling Consistency Trick: Work the vegetable oil into the flour mixture gradually, creating a crumbly texture that guarantees tender, light dumplings.
• Dough Rolling Pro Tip: Use a well-floured surface and roll the dough consistently thin to prevent thick, doughy noodles that might become heavy.
• Gentle Cooking Method: Add dumpling strips slowly and avoid aggressive stirring to maintain their delicate shape and prevent them from breaking apart during simmering.

Best Storage and Reheating Tips for Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Noodles

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover chicken and dumpling noodles to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture and prevent dumplings from becoming dry or tough. Stir carefully to maintain dumpling texture and prevent breaking.
• Freezing: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that dumplings might slightly change texture after freezing, becoming slightly softer when reheated.

Perfect Matches for Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Noodles

• Cheese Your Comfort: Sprinkle grated Parmesan or sharp cheddar on top for a tangy, rich flavor boost that complements the creamy chicken and soft dumplings.
• Sip and Savor Pairing: Choose a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay to cut through the richness and refresh your palate between bites.
• Bread Buddy Bonus: Serve with a crusty sourdough or warm buttermilk biscuit to soak up the delicious broth and add extra texture to your comforting meal.
• Herbal Harmony Side: Prepare a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the hearty chicken and dumplings, creating a complete and satisfying dinner experience.

Creative Ways to Make Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumpling Noodles Your Own

• Creamy Herb Fusion: Replace half the broth with heavy cream for a richer, silkier texture. Add fresh rosemary and sage to enhance the herb profile and create a more luxurious chicken and dumpling experience.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate diced green chiles, cumin, and a dash of smoked paprika into the dumpling dough. Top with chopped cilantro and serve with a side of pickled jalapeños for extra kick.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Swap chicken for tender lamb pieces. Add kalamata olives, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese. Use oregano and za'atar seasoning to bring Mediterranean flavors to the classic dish.
• Veggie-Packed Version: Replace chicken with a mix of roasted butternut squash, mushrooms, and kale. Use vegetable broth and add nutritional yeast to the dumplings for a hearty vegetarian alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.

Old-Fashioned Chicken Dumpling Noodles Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Southern comfort shines through in this classic chicken and dumpling noodle dish, perfected over generations. Hearty broth, tender chicken, and pillowy dumplings blend into a soul-warming meal that connects you with cherished family recipes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless chicken breasts (bite-sized pieces)

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup diced celery
• ½ cup diced carrot
• ½ cup diced onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• Sea or kosher salt
• Fresh black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley

Liquid and Broth:

• 3 cans low-sodium chicken broth

Dumpling Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by heating olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Brown the chicken in two separate batches, ensuring all sides are evenly colored. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to retain warmth.
2. Create a flavor base by adding remaining oil, butter, diced celery, sliced carrots, chopped onions, minced garlic, bay leaf, thyme, and a pinch of salt and black pepper to the same pot. Sauté the vegetables for approximately 10 minutes, stirring frequently until they become tender and fragrant.
3. Build the soup foundation by pouring chicken broth into the vegetable mixture and returning the browned chicken to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper. Allow the liquid to simmer gently while preparing the dumpling dough.
4. Combine dry dumpling ingredients by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Incorporate vegetable oil using a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Form the dumpling dough by creating a central well in the dry ingredients. Add egg and milk, then stir until a cohesive mixture develops. Adjust flour quantity if the consistency appears too wet or loose.
6. Prepare dumpling strips by rolling out half the dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/8-inch (3 millimeters) thickness. Cut the dough into uniform strips measuring 1/2-inch (1.25 centimeters) wide and 2-3 inches (5-7.5 centimeters) long using a pastry wheel or pizza cutter.
7. Cook the dumplings by gently dropping the dough strips into the simmering soup, working in batches. Stir carefully to prevent sticking. Continue adding remaining dough strips. Cover the pot and simmer for 20-25 minutes, occasionally stirring to ensure even cooking.
8. Finalize the dish by removing the bay leaf and incorporating fresh chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot in individual bowls, optionally garnishing with grated Parmesan cheese for added richness.

Notes

• Chicken gets perfectly browned in batches to seal in rich, juicy flavors before creating a deeply delicious soup base.
• Aromatic vegetables slowly caramelize, releasing sweet undertones that transform ordinary broth into a complex comfort meal.
• Homemade dumpling dough requires gentle handling, ensuring tender strips that absorb savory liquid while maintaining delicate texture.
• Fresh parsley adds bright, herbaceous finish, cutting through rich chicken and creating vibrant color contrast in final presentation.
• Simmering process allows ingredients to meld together, developing deep, layered flavors reminiscent of grandmother’s traditional kitchen cooking.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking, Boiling, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 1100mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 85mg