With a chill in the air and footballs flying, I begin to crave a warm bowl of soup. Soups are one of those recipes that I feel cooks of all levels can confidently prepare. Ingredients can be added or left out, soup consistency can be thick or thin, and spices and herbs can be tailored to your taste bud’s preferences.
With the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic on our shoulders and the snow (so much snow) here in Missouri, sometimes all we need is a good soup. Soup, in addition to being good to warm up your soul, is a good way to load up with lots of nutrients in one meal. Adding vegetables adds antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. Adding meat, tofu, beans, or legumes adds a touch of protein and helps you feel more satisfied.
Chicken and Dumplings Soup
One of my all-time comfort soups is my mom’s recipe for chicken and dumplings. My little sister and I would request this recipe as soon as the leaves started falling off the trees in Tennessee. Not only does it take me back to my southern roots, it feels like a big bowl of hugs from mom.
I made a couple of modifications to her recipe by adding extra veggies and a change to the dumplings. Mom used to use Bisquick as her dumpling base which created a fluffy, airy dumpling. I, however, like my dumplings dense and chewy. The addition of cottage cheese and egg whites not only creates the texture I enjoy, but it also increases the protein content. We also use whole-wheat flour in this recipe to add some fiber.
It’s the ultimate comfort food with a healthy twist! On top of wearing a mask and focusing on these immune-boosting habits, having a tasty soup can help keep your immune system in tip top shape.
Check out some of our cozy soup recipes below:
Creamy White Bean and Kale Soup
Rosemary White Bean Soup
Cauliflower White Bean Soup
Spiced Sweet Potato Soup
mom’s chicken & dumplings soup
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 50
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4-5 1x
Ingredients
SOUP
- 1 T. olive oil
- 1 lb. chicken breast, cubed
- 2 T. flour
- 48 oz. chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 c. butternut squash, cubed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1/4 t. garlic powder
- 1/4 t. ground pepper
- Fresh Italian parsley for garnish
DUMPLINGS
- 3 egg white
- 1/2 c. 2% cottage cheese
- 2 T. water
- 1/4 t. salt
- 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c. whole-wheat flour
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a large stockpot. Add cubed chicken. Once browned on all sides, add flour and cook chicken until no longer pink. Add the broth, vegetables and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Meanwhile, for dumplings, in a large bowl, beat the egg whites and cottage cheese until blended. Add water and salt. Stir in the flour and mix well.
- Bring soup to a boil. Drop dumplings by large tablespoons into the boiling soup. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in dumplings comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 306
- Sugar: 11.2 g
- Sodium: 1598.8 mg
- Fat: 5.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 52.3 g
- Fiber: 6.8 g
- Protein: 14.2 g
- Cholesterol: 8.7 mg