Vegan Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
This comforting Vegan Chicken and Dumplings recipe features rehydrated soy curls simmered in a rich, herb-infused vegan broth with tender vegetables. Fluffy vegan dumplings made with coconut milk add the perfect hearty touch, creating a delicious plant-based twist on a classic comfort food.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup
- 8 ounce bag soy curls
- 3 cups vegan chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 6 tablespoons vegan butter (or oil)
- 1 medium yellow or sweet onion, finely diced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2–3 celery ribs, thinly sliced
- 2–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 3–4 cups vegan chicken broth (or vegetable broth), add as desired
- ½ – ¾ cup canned full fat coconut milk or cream
For the Vegan Soup Dumplings
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon iodized salt
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ cup room temperature or warm water
- ½ cup canned full fat coconut milk or cream (or melted vegan butter or olive/avocado oil)
Instructions
- Rehydrate soy curls: Add the soy curls to a large bowl, discarding the powder at the bottom of the package. Pour the 3 cups of vegan chicken broth over the soy curls, pressing them down with a spoon to coat them. Add a bit of water if needed to fully submerge. Let them soak until ready to add to the soup.
- Heat vegan butter: In a large nonstick pot or wide Dutch oven, melt the vegan butter over medium-high heat. If using oil or going oil-free, adjust accordingly and stir constantly to prevent sticking or burning.
- Add veggies: Add diced onion, celery, and carrots to the pot. Stir frequently and cook for about 3 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 30-40 seconds until the mixture appears coated and slightly thickened.
- Add spices and broth: Stir in dried thyme, black pepper, and the additional 3-4 cups of vegan chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Make dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the dumpling flour, baking powder, salt, dried thyme, and black pepper. Create a well in the center and pour in the water and coconut milk (or alternative fat). Mix until a cohesive dough forms, adding extra flour if too wet. Cover with a kitchen towel until ready to use.
- Add soy curls: Drain and add the rehydrated soy curls along with any remaining soaking liquid to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a strong simmer with small bubbling.
- Make dumplings: Using a large cookie scoop or spoon, portion about 8 equal-sized dough balls and gently drop them into the simmering pot, giving them space to expand.
- Cook: Spoon broth over the dumplings and cover the pot. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, occasionally uncovering to ladle broth over dumplings to keep them moist. Cook until dumplings are firm and biscuit-like inside.
- Serve: Turn off heat and stir in the coconut milk or chosen substitute. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty vegan chicken and dumplings!
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for 3-4 days, storing dumplings separately if possible. Reheat by combining and microwaving or gently warming on stovetop.
Notes
- Soy curls can be substituted with shredded jackfruit or mushrooms for a different texture.
- Vegetable broth can be used instead of vegan chicken broth for a milder flavor.
- To make the recipe oil-free, replace vegan butter with additional broth or water, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blends to make the soup and dumplings gluten-free.
- Full-fat coconut milk adds richness but can be replaced with cashew cream or vegan cream alternatives.
- Adjust salt to taste depending on broth sodium content.
Keywords: vegan chicken and dumplings, plant-based soup, soy curls recipe, vegan comfort food, dairy-free dumplings
