Few dishes bring comfort and nostalgia quite like homemade chicken dumpling soup. The dumplings are the star of this classic meal. They come in many different forms for soup and beyond.
Dumplings are made from the core ingredients–flour, water, and occasionally, eggs. They may also contain milk, butter, and seasoning. The combination creates a dough ready for add-ins like cheese or meat.
Dumplings for chicken and dumpling soup are generally not filled with meat or other mixtures like you’ll find in gyoza or potstickers. However, herbs and cheese worked into the dough can be delicious. You can really make dumplings your own by adding whatever you enjoy!
We’re going to dive into the world of dumplings and what works best in chicken soup. Plus, if you’re wondering, “Can you freeze chicken and dumplings?” we have your answer. We’ll explore what a dumpling is and the art of preserving its warmth and flavor.
The Ins and Outs of Dumplings
What is a dumpling? There is some controversy about what classifies as a dumpling. In its simplest form, a dumpling is a small ball of dough. The base of the dough can be flour or potatoes. It can also be filled or unfilled and still qualify as a dumpling. These dumplings can be steamed, boiled, baked, or fried.
This definition means a gnocchi or even a ravioli would be considered dumplings. You may only picture the classic Asian dumplings, like bao and potstickers, but the world of dumplings is vast. No matter how you define a dumpling, it’s still a delicious addition to any meal.
Dumplings for chicken and dumpling soup come in balls, strips, or even pieces of biscuits. The best part about these dumplings is you can cook them right inside the soup–drop the dough into the simmering broth and cover it with the lid to cook.
The dumplings will take about fifteen minutes to cook through. You’ll know the dumplings are done when they rise to the top, and you can cut one in half to check the inside. If the inside has a gummy consistency, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
Can You Freeze Chicken and Dumplings?
You can freeze chicken and dumplings to enjoy at a later time. However, there are a few rules to follow to achieve the best texture and flavor when defrosting.
Step 1: Allow the soup and dumplings to cool to room temperature before freezing. Remove the dumplings from the soup and put them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Empty the soup into a gallon-size freezer bag and get as much air out as possible.
When your dumplings have frozen, move them to a separate freezer bag. Freezing the dumplings this way will help prevent them from sticking together or turning into mush when you reheat them.
Step 2: When you want to reheat the chicken and dumplings, remove both bags from the freezer. Once the soup has loosened up enough, dump it into a pot to heat up.
Step 3: You can help the dumplings defrost by putting the bag in a big bowl of cold water. This will allow them to thaw, and you can separate any dumplings sticking together.
Step 4: Once your dumplings have thawed, carefully place them into the simmering soup. Allow the dumplings and soup to reach a boil and reduce the heat. Simmer the soup for an additional ten minutes. When your dumplings are heated through, you can serve and enjoy!
This Southern-style classic is always a crowd-pleaser. If you want to make homemade chicken and dumpling soup, you’ve come to the right place–our website has a recipe you’re sure to love!
