There are few meals that feel as comforting and grounding as a pot of chicken and dumplings simmering on the stove. This recipe came together during a season when I wanted familiar comfort food that still felt nourishing and gentle. Something warm and simple that was made from ingredients I could feel good about feeding my family.
This healthy chicken and dumplings recipe is completely dairy free, made with shredded chicken, a flavorful broth, and soft homemade dumplings mixed with water instead of milk. It is comforting without being heavy and simple enough for a regular weeknight, yet special enough to feel like true comfort food.
If you are looking for an easy, homemade chicken and dumplings recipe that skips the cream and still delivers on flavor, this one has become a staple in our home.
Why You Will Love This Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Completely dairy free
- Made from scratch with simple ingredients
- Comforting without being heavy
- Family friendly and freezer friendly
- Easy enough for weeknights
If you are searching for an easy chicken and dumplings homemade recipe that still feels nourishing, this one checks all the boxes.
Ingredients for Healthy Chicken and Dumplings
Tip: This recipe works beautifully with homemade broth.
For the Soup
- 1.5 to 2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless or bone-in, skin removed
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 to 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or dairy-free butter
Water-Based Dairy-Free Dumplings
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp oil or melted dairy-free butter
- ¾ cup warm water
These homemade dumplings for chicken and dumplings are soft, tender, and simple to mix together without milk or butter.
How to Make Healthy Chicken and Dumplings
Step 1: Build the Soup Base
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil or dairy-free butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and gently add the raw chicken thighs. Add the bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
Step 2: Cook and Shred the Chicken
Allow the chicken to simmer in the soup until fully cooked and tender, about 20 to 25 minutes depending on thickness.
Using tongs, carefully scoop the cooked chicken into a bowl. Important note: make sure the bay leaves are still in the pot and not in the bowl before blending, or you may accidentally blend one.
Use a hand mixer to shred the chicken directly in the bowl until soft and fluffy. Set aside.
Step 3: Make the Dairy-Free Dumpling Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the oil or melted dairy-free butter and warm water. Stir just until combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but scoopable.
Step 4: Add Dumplings to the Soup
Return the shredded chicken to the pot and bring the soup back to a gentle simmer.
Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough directly into the simmering soup. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid during this time, as the steam is what helps the dumplings cook through.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through, remove the bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot.
This results in a comforting, hearty bowl of chicken soup with dumplings that is rich in flavor without being heavy.
Tips for the Best Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
- Keep the soup at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil
- Do not overmix the dumpling dough
- Always cook dumplings with the lid on
- Shredding the chicken with a hand mixer makes it extra tender
- Remove bay leaves before serving
Easy Variations
- Vegetable packed: Add peas or green beans at the end
- Herby: Add fresh parsley before serving
- Gluten free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend designed for baking
- Extra broth: Add an additional cup of broth for a soupier consistency
What If Someone in Your Family Does Not Like Dumplings?
If you have a family member who is not a dumplings fan (like I do), this soup base is incredibly versatile.
Instead of adding dumplings to the entire pot, you can:
- Cook the chicken soup as written
- Scoop out a portion before adding dumplings
- Serve it as a simple, nourishing chicken soup
Another great option is to skip dumplings altogether for some bowls and serve the soup with cheddar biscuits on the side instead.
This approach makes one pot work for everyone at the table.
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth
- Dumplings will soften over time but remain delicious
This recipe also freezes well, though dumplings may become slightly more tender after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chicken and dumplings healthy?
Chicken and dumplings can be healthy when made with simple ingredients and without heavy dairy. This recipe uses broth instead of cream, dairy-free dumplings, and protein-rich chicken, making it a lighter, more balanced option.
Is this chicken and dumplings recipe dairy free?
Yes. This recipe contains no milk, cream, or butter. It uses olive oil or dairy-free butter and water-based dumplings, making it fully dairy free.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, though chicken thighs tend to stay more tender. If using breasts, reduce cooking time slightly to avoid dryness.
Are these homemade dumplings fluffy or dense?
These homemade dumplings for chicken and dumplings are soft and fluffy thanks to baking powder and steam cooking.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. The soup flavors deepen as it sits. Reheat gently and add extra broth if needed.
Is this an easy chicken and dumplings homemade recipe?
Absolutely. The steps are simple, the ingredients are basic, and the dumplings come together in minutes.
Healthy Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 1.5 to 2 lbs chicken thighs boneless or bone-in, skin removed
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 carrots sliced
- 2 celery stalks sliced
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 to 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or dairy-free butter
Water-Based Dairy-Free Dumplings
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp oil or melted dairy-free butter
- ¾ cup warm water
Instructions
Prepare the Soup Base:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil or dairy-free butter over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme) and cook for another 30 seconds.
Cook the Chicken:
- Pour in 4 cups dairy-free chicken broth and add 1.5 to 2 pounds chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in, skin removed). Add 1 to 2 bay leaves, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
Shred the Chicken:
- Using tongs, transfer cooked chicken to a bowl. Ensure no bay leaves are in the bowl. Use a hand mixer to shred the chicken until soft and fluffy. Set aside.
Make the Dumpling Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar (optional). Add 4 tablespoons oil or melted dairy-free butter and 3/4 cup warm water. Stir until just combined.
Add Dumplings to the Soup:
- Return shredded chicken to the pot. Bring soup back to a gentle simmer. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the simmering soup. Cover the pot and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
Finish and Serve:
- Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot. Optionally, serve with cheddar biscuits for family members who prefer them.
This healthy chicken and dumplings recipe proves that comfort food does not have to be heavy to be satisfying.
If you have been searching for a dairy-free, easy, homemade chicken and dumplings recipe, this one deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
Hi, I’m Ashley — mama, maker, and lover of all things from-scratch. Around here, you’ll usually find me barefoot in the kitchen, covered in flour or beeswax, with kids underfoot and something simmering on the stove. I believe in slow living, simple joys, and the kind of home that smells like cinnamon rolls and sunshine. Find out more about me here.
