This Paleo Chicken and Dumplings Soup is easy to make and comforting to eat. Loaded with juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and tender dumplings. Gluten free, dairy free, and so satisfying.
This soup is from a new Paleo cookbook that I have been loving called Paleo Soups and Stews. It's written by Simone of Zenbelly. I just love a comforting bowl of soup and this book is packed with them. Everything from creamy soups, to hearty stews, to breads and crackers to enjoy with the soup.
Besides this amazing Chicken and Dumplings Soup, I have also made the West African Cashew Soup and the Spicy Shrimp and Chorizo Soup. Both of those were so good and had so much flavor. I love that the book is a mix of classics that we all know and more unique ones that are fun to try!
This soup comes together pretty quickly. I always thought chicken and dumplings was super hard to make so this was my first time making it and I was pleasantly surprised. The most time consuming part is chopping the veggies and I always like to do that a day or two ahead of time. Then it's just cooked on the stove and ready in under an hour.
It is packed with juicy, tender chicken (I used thighs), a rich broth, perfectly cooked vegetables, and the easiest dumplings. It's a meal the whole family will love!
You will love this soup because it is comforting, hearty, and easy to make. A healthy version of the classic that is perfect for a cold day.
Here is the link to the cookbook that is definitely worth checking out!
Looking for more soup recipes? Here are some of my favorites! Paleo Pizza Soup, Paleo Creamy Potato Leek Soup, and Paleo Squash Soup. Those are all Whole30 approved as well, not this one though because of the dumplings.
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Paleo Chicken and Dumplings Soup
Ingredients
Soup
- ½ cup arrowroot starch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (I used 8 thighs)
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 8 cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup full-fat coconut milk
Dumplings
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ¾ cup cassava flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¾ cup full-fat coconut milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together arrowroot powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the mixture, coating them on all sides.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pan, heat the ghee. When hot, add the chicken in batches and cook until golden brown on all sides, 4-5 minutes a side.
- Remove the chicken and set aside. Add the onion, celery, and carrots to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the veggies have softened.
- Stir the thyme and turmeric into the vegetables. Pour in the broth, scraping up any brown bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Return the chicken to the pot and bring to a simmer. Simmer the soup until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken pieces and set them aside to cool.
- While the soup is simmering, make the dumplings. Mix together the almond flour, cassava flour, baking soda, salt, and coconut milk. Use your hands to form the dough into 24 small dumplings. The dumplings should be somewhat round, but still rustic looking.
- Drop the dumplings into the simmering soup and cook for 5 minutes.
- When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred it. Discard the skin and bones. (Save the bones for making broth, if desired.)
- Add the shredded chicken and coconut milk to the soup and simmer another 3-4 minutes, until heated though. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
Christine says
So it has 3/4 cup coconut milk in the soup part but in the directions to doesn't say when to put it in. So is it with the broth?
Amy says
I made this a few days ago and about 2/3 of my dumplings disintegrated into my soup. Those that survived though were delicious. The dumplings that fell apart thickened my soup so it was creamy instead of a clear broth, so not all was lost with the dumplings falling apart. When I rolled my dumplings out the dough was really sticky...maybe they were too wet? I may try this again...the flavors were good.
Deloris Lyttle says
Hi! I am making this tonight and got home no almond flour ?. Could I use tapioca or coconut?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Deloris- Not coconut, but you could try tapioca. I can't say they will turn out perfect, but that would be your best bet.
Susan says
I use a whole cup of cassava and almond flour in the dumplings.
Susan says
This is a great, easy recipe! I added Poultry Seasoning-1/2-1 teaspoon to arrowroot when coating chicken, to veggies and the dumplings.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Sarah! Glad you like it!
ALISHA CROCKER says
Nutrition info?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Alisha- I don't calculate that, but you can use a site like My Fitness Pal to calculate that for you if you wish.
Terri A says
Loved the soup flavor but are the dumplings supposed to be so soft. They almost taste uncooked, like I'm eating dough? Just making sure I made them correctly. I followed the recipe to a tee! Thanks so much!
Jessica says
So good!!! My kiddo was unsure if the time Ric flavor, but I’ll be eating every last bite for leftovers this week. Used about 1/4 cup extra cassava flour in the dough.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Jessica! I'm glad you liked it 🙂
Emily says
OOOOh! Definitely want to try this! What do you think about subbing sorghum flour for the almond flour, since we are nut-free. Or maybe potato flour? Reading the comments and hearing that the dumplings struggled for some, I'm wondering if they are too sensitive for changes. Love your recipes!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Emily! Oh, I don't know because I'm not familiar with sorghum flour at all. Possibly potato flour or just all cassava flour. Those are the 2 I would lean towards. I'm not sure that helped, but I hope you try them!
Michele says
Any suggestions on how to make this vegetarian but still yummy? I know I can simply omit the chicken but I think the soup would be lacking. Any substitution ideas?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Michele- My suggestion would be to increase the veggies, maybe double them, and add some fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. I think that would be very delicious!