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Home / Recipe Type / Soups

Chicken and Dumpling Soup

January 12, 2023 Modified March 28, 2025 By Nicole Charles 29 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links.

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This creamy gluten-free, AIP/Paleo Chicken and Dumpling Soup is rich and comforting. Made with juicy chicken thighs, fresh vegetables and grain-free dumplings, this hearty one-pot meal is wholesome and delicious.

Two bowls of AIP/Paleo Chicken and Dumpling Soup

Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe

Get cozy with a bowl of this nourishing AIP/Paleo Chicken and Dumpling Soup. It’s the perfect comfort food to keep you warm during the cold winter months!

Creamy chicken soup without dairy

That’s right! This Chicken and Dumpling Soup recipe is an allergy-friendly, AIP/paleo version of chicken and dumplings, so that means it’s completely dairy-free, gluten-free and grain-free. The trick is the full-fat coconut cream that makes this soup so thick and creamy without butter, heavy cream, evaporated milk or any other dairy! Don’t worry, there isn’t a strong coconut flavor here as it’s well balanced with the chicken stock or bone broth. I’ve used this technique in my White Chicken Chili recipe which has a similarly silky, creamy texture with a flavorful chicken base.

The soup begins with an aromatic vegetable base of onions, celery and carrots which provides a wonderful depth of flavor. Chicken thighs with seasonings like garlic, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder and fresh sage and thyme are added to the mirepoix to enrich the flavor profile. Chicken bone broth deepens the flavor, forming a liquid base for the soup which balances the full fat coconut cream to create a rich and creamy texture.

The gluten-free dumplings are the pièce de résistance of this hearty soup and take the comfort factor to another level! They’re made with cassava flour, coconut flour and arrowroot starch so they’re also nut-free and grain-free. The properties of these grain-free flours together with the baking soda, cream of tartar and coconut milk create the perfect texture for tender, moist and fluffy dumplings that rise while they cook!

Recipe Ingredients:

  • olive oil
  • boneless, skinless chicken thighs – I love the deeper flavor of dark meat in this soup but you can replace with chicken breasts if you prefer.
  • yellow onion
  • celery
  • carrots
  • garlic
  • sea salt
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • fresh sage
  • fresh thyme – I recommend using fresh herbs for the best flavor and results, but dried herbs work if you’re in a pinch.
  • chicken bone broth – you can also use chicken stock or broth, and use a store bought variety or make your own. I use sodium free bone broth, so this is something to keep in mind when adding the salt called for in this recipe. If you’re following AIP, ensure the ingredients are compliant.
  • full fat, additive-free coconut cream
  • chives – optional, for garnish

Gluten-free dumplings:

  • cassava flour
  • coconut flour
  • arrowroot flour/starch
  • sea salt
  • baking soda
  • cream of tartar
  • full fat coconut milk – If you’re following AIP, ensure it’s additive-free.
Vegetables and herbs used to make AIP/paleo chicken and dumplings.

How To Make Chicken and Dumpling Soup

Stovetop Instructions

Step 1: Make the Chicken Soup Base

First, in a large stockpot or dutch oven, cook onion, celery and carrots in olive oil until onions are translucent. Then, add garlic, chicken thighs, herbs and spices and cook about 5 minutes, browning the chicken on all sides. Next, reduce heat and add chicken broth. Allow to simmer 20-25 minutes.

Onions and celery chopped, in a stockpot.
Mirepoix base of the AIP/Paleo Chicken and Dumpling Soup.
AIP/paleo chicken soup with broth and vegetable ingredients.
Step 2: Make Dumpling Dough

While soup simmers, make the gluten-free dumpling dough in a large bowl. Combine the flours with the baking soda, cream of tartar, sea salt and coconut milk to make a soft dough.

Grain-free dumpling dough
Step 3: Shred Chicken

Then, transfer chicken to a bowl with a slotted spoon and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to soup.

Step 4: Add Coconut Cream

Add coconut cream and allow to come to simmer.

Step 5: Add Gluten-Free Dumplings

Next, spoon the dumpling dough into balls with a cookie scoop or large spoon and place into the simmering pot for 5-10 minutes, or until cooked through. Don’t overcook dumplings or else they will dissolve.

AIP Paleo Chicken Soup with the Grain-free Dumplings cooking in a stockpot.
Step 6: Adjust to Taste and Serve

Taste and adjust salt as necessary. Finally, remove from heat. Garnish individual servings with sliced chives (optional).

Stockpot of AIP/Paleo Chicken and Dumpling Soup.

Slow cooker/Instant Pot Instructions:

Making this chicken and dumpling soup recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot is really easy!

  1. First, use medium heat on your slow cooker or the Sauté function on your Instant Pot to sauté the aromatics and brown the chicken. (Follow Steps 1-3 from the recipe card below). This can also be done on the stovetop, before transferring to the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
  2. Next, add bone broth and cook on Low for 1 hour.
  3. Follow Steps 5-7 from recipe card in your slow cooker or Instant Pot:
    • Make dumplings as described in step 5.
    • Remove chicken, shred, and return to slow cooker or Instant Pot.
    • Add coconut cream and let simmer on Low.
  4. Lastly, add your dumplings at the very end and cook on High for 5-10 minutes. You don’t want to cook them too long, or else they will dissolve.

Variations to try

Try the grain-free cassava flour dumplings from my Trinidadian-inspired Beef Stew and Caribbean-inspired Beef Soup for a Caribbean-style version of this dumpling soup recipe.

Bowl of AIP/Paleo Chicken and Dumpling Soup

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I thicken the soup?

While traditional recipes may use a roux base of butter and flour to create thickness, this dairy-free and grain-free chicken and dumplings uses coconut cream as a thickener. If you’d like even thicker soup, you can try adding a slurry with 1 TBSP arrowroot or tapioca starch with 1.5 TBSP cold water and whisk it into the soup just before taking it off the heat.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Fridge: Store this soup overnight in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat on the stovetop before serving.

Freezer: This soup freezes well! Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. I recommend defrosting in the fridge until liquid and then reheating on the stovetop before serving.

If you try this creamy AIP/Paleo Chicken and Dumpling Soup recipe I would love if you could give the recipe a star rating and short review. Be sure to snap a picture of the finished product and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @healmedelicious

you’ll love these other comforting aip/paleo soups:

  • Chicken and Pumpkin Soup
  • Ginger-Garlic Pork Noodle Soup
  • Turkey and Kale Soup
  • Gingery Roasted Winter Squash Soup

you might enjoy these other cozy aip/paleo one-pot meals:

  • Balsamic Mushroom Pasta
  • Creamy Garlic Pork and Spinach
  • Paleo Chili (AIP, Nightshade Free)
  • AIP Lamb Curry with Cauliflower
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Close up shot of AIP/Paleo Chicken Soup and Dumpling Soup.

Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Author: Nicole Charles
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4–5 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This creamy gluten-free and dairy-free Chicken and Dumpling Soup is rich and comforting. Made with juicy chicken thighs, fresh vegetables and grain-free dumplings, this hearty one-pot meal is AIP, paleo, so wholesome and delicious!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken Soup

  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1.5 cups diced celery – about 3 large stalks
  • 2 cups carrots sliced into 1/2 inch rounds – about 4 medium sized carrots
  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2.5 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 3 cups sodium free chicken bone broth (if following AIP, ensure ingredients are compliant)
  • 2 cups full fat coconut cream, additive free
  • chives, for garnish (optional)

Grain-free Dumplings

  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 cup cassava flour
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar*
  • 1 cup full fat coconut milk

Instructions

  1. To a large stockpot or dutch oven, add olive oil and heat stove on medium heat.
  2. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until onions turn translucent.
  3. Add chicken thighs, garlic, sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, sage and thyme. Stir the pot occasionally so that the chicken begins to brown on all sides (approximately 5 minutes).
  4. Reduce heat slightly and add sodium free chicken bone broth. Allow to simmer 20-25 minutes.
  5. While soup simmers, combine coconut flour, cassava flour, arrowroot flour, baking soda, salt, cream of tartar, and coconut milk in a large bowl to make a soft dough. If necessary, add additional coconut milk by the TBSP until a soft dough is achieved (see picture for reference).
  6. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a bowl and use two forks to shred it before adding back to soup.
  7. Add coconut cream and allow to come to a simmer.
  8. Using a cookie scoop or a large spoon, spoon the dumpling dough into balls and place into the simmering pot for 5-10 minutes, or until cooked through. Avoid overcooking the dumplings or they will dissolve**.
  9. Taste and adjust salt as necessary.
  10. Remove from heat and garnish individual portions with sliced chives, as desired.

Notes

*Don’t skip the cream of tartar here, it really helps create the fluffier texture of these dumplings.  Alternatively, if you aren’t following AIP, you can substitute the baking soda and cream of tartar for 1 tsp baking powder.

**Dumplings will dissolve if overcooked. 

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Comfort Food

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag @healmedelicious — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Categories: AIP, All Recipes, Chicken, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Mains, Paleo, Soups, Winter

Previous Post: « Dairy-free, Paleo/AIP Snickerdoodles
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lorraine May Atkinson

    March 1, 2025 at 8:53 pm

    excellent!! I was out of coconut milk so I used broth to make the dumplings. I’ll be making this a lot.

    Reply
  2. Elle

    January 30, 2025 at 11:05 pm

    We haven’t had chicken and dumplings in years since going paleo and man did this not disappoint! I didn’t have chicken thighs on hand so I used chicken breast but followed the recipe otherwise. The whole family loved it and even before the bowls were licked clean, I was asked to make this again soon.

    Reply
  3. Amber B.

    September 17, 2024 at 5:05 pm

    Hi, I haven’t made this yet. I really want to but when researching AIP, specifically Hashimoto’s disease, it says to avoid Cassava as it contains goitrogens and other things that can work against the thyroid. I wish there was another way to make the dumplings.

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      September 17, 2024 at 6:33 pm

      Hi amber, cassava is permitted on the AIP protocol. Both on core AIP and modified AIP. You can read more about the AIP protocol here: https://healmedelicious.com/aip-diet-food-list/

      Reply
  4. KW

    September 11, 2024 at 1:32 am

    Overall I think this recipe is great. Loved the flavor & it wasn’t too complicated. I’m not sure what I did, but the dumplings didn’t come out right. Gonna try this again in a week or two & see if I can make the dumplings work.

    Reply
  5. Tammy

    August 27, 2024 at 7:24 pm

    Amazing dish! I added a little more broth and the whole can of coconut cream. I also used Siete almond flour tortillas instead of making the dumplings.

    Delicious!!

    Reply
  6. Kristin

    April 2, 2024 at 1:29 am

    Incredible. My friends were shocked it was not made with cream and the dumplings were gluten free? Mind-blown. This is such a flavorful meal. Thanks for making healing food taste exciting! I’ll be checking out all of your recipes now.

    Reply
  7. Cherie

    March 8, 2024 at 11:42 pm

    This was really good! i had read all the other comments about the dumplings not coming out right and i was a bit leary about it. I went ahead and made the soup anyway and the dumplings came out just perfect! The soup flavor is delicious and was a hit! We made the dumplinga the size of a bouncy ball you’d get out of the 25 cent machines abd then smashed them a little so theyd cook through. We had also forgotten to add the coconut cream to the pot, so we added it after everything else was cooked. The dumplings didnt dissolve abd everything tastes great! oh! we also used chicken breast that i cut into chunks instead of whole chicken thighs. yum!

    Reply
  8. Britt

    January 14, 2024 at 1:06 am

    Everything tasted great except for the dumplings. The dumplings had a grainy texture and somewhat doughy after cooking for 10 minutes.

    Reply
  9. Ann

    December 31, 2023 at 7:33 pm

    Made this soup tonight and it was delicious! I nice hearty and healthy soup. Prep takes a little bit of time but well worth it. This one is a keeper!

    Reply
  10. Natalie

    December 13, 2023 at 7:15 pm

    I cooked this tonight, and it’s absolutely delicious! Only thing I did differently was add butternut squash. The dumplings turned out perfectly. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
  11. sophia sunshine

    December 9, 2023 at 11:57 pm

    I’ve been mostly AIP for about a decade now and this was by far the most enjoyable soup I’ve had yet! And my non-paleo kids loved it too!

    Reply
  12. Wendy

    December 4, 2023 at 10:30 am

    Everything about this recipe is so delicious except I probably will try a different dumpling recipe. The dumplings had a little bit too much coconut flavor for me and I love coconut but just not in a dumpling lol thank you for creating a wonderful recipe.

    Reply
  13. Sarah Echols Miller

    October 15, 2023 at 5:48 pm

    Hi, when freezing this recipe is it better to freeze with the dumplings in the soup or freeze them separately? We are trying for the first time tonight and it smells delicious so far!
    Thanks,

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      October 19, 2023 at 10:21 pm

      Hi Sarah, you can freeze and reheat together!

      Reply
  14. Michelle L.

    September 19, 2023 at 1:46 pm

    This is my favorite soup at the moment! I could eat it every day! The dumplings are phenomenal, just don’t make them enormous. The flavors are wonderful and everything melds together perfectly.

    Reply
  15. Shannon O'Neill

    August 26, 2023 at 11:21 am

    LOVED this dish! I am not a particularly good cook but this recipe was manageable and the result DELICIOUS. I’ve been in elimination phase of AIP for almost two months and I was so craving something warm and creamy and comforting and this definitely fit the bill! I didn’t get the dumplings quite right but they were still good and the soup was excellent.

    Reply
  16. Lisa

    March 23, 2023 at 11:59 pm

    Made this tonight! So much flavor! Like Olivia, I struggled with the dumplings a bit too. I do t think mine were cooked all the way through. I didn’t add any additional coconut milk to the dough mixture. I was slightly crumbly, but soft and formed well. Wasn’t sure exactly what the texture should be like. I had the temp at a hearty simmer (low boil), and cooked them for 8 minutes. Any advice? I will definitely make this again!

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      March 30, 2023 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks for your review, Lisa. If they aren’t disintegrating then keep cooking a bit longer until they’re cooked through – or make them smaller!

      Reply
  17. Kathleen Anderson

    March 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm

    Delicious! You and your website have saved me as I’ve navigates the AIP elimination diet! Thank you! ❤️

    Reply
  18. Vanessa

    January 26, 2023 at 10:35 pm

    Felt like comfort food to me! so buttery and rich with all of the cleanest ingredients. My first recipe I have made of yours. I am so excited to try many more!

    Reply
  19. Olivia

    January 18, 2023 at 12:30 am

    I can’t seem to cook through the dumplings and yet being mindful of the warnings of overcooking them, I feel I was eating them uncooked. It says cook them in the simmering pot. Is the heat on high while the dumplings are cooked?

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      January 18, 2023 at 2:57 pm

      Hi Olivia, you can turn the heat up if your dumplings aren’t cooked after 10 minutes, or try making them smaller – but definitely cook them all the way through!

      Reply
  20. Olivia

    January 16, 2023 at 3:19 pm

    This is DELICIOUS! I followed the recipe almost exactly, but I added in some minced fresh ginger and a splash of lemon juice – just personal preference in any chicken soup I made. The little “carb balls” aka dumplings are soooooo good. It feels so indulgent that it’s hard to believe it’s good for those of us with food sensitivities!

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      January 16, 2023 at 3:47 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed and love those additions! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  21. Holly

    January 13, 2023 at 10:15 pm

    Nicole, this recipe looks amazing. I have been looking for clean ingredient dumplings for years. I didn’t know you had the other recipe that you mentioned in the post for them using cassava flour as well – I’ll have to check that out.

    My question on these is if you store the dumplings in the soup do they continue to soak up the liquid in the soup like my cassava pasta does? Maybe the dumplings should be stored separately..? Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Nicole Charles

      January 16, 2023 at 10:54 am

      Hi Holly, they store just fine in the fridge, it’s the heat and cooking of them too long that will cause them to break down so no worries there. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Holly

        January 18, 2023 at 1:35 pm

        Nicole, this is an outstanding recipe! It’s rich and savory and those dumpings..Holy Cow, they are SO delicious! This recipe will cure any carb and comfort food cravings for sure. Thank you once again for sharing such unique and incredibly tasty creations.

        Reply
        • Nicole Charles

          January 18, 2023 at 2:54 pm

          I’m so glad you enjoyed, Holly! Thanks for your review!

          Reply

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Hi! I’m Nicole, the recipe developer, food enthusiast and photographer behind Heal Me Delicious. Read More

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