Spelt Chicken Broth with Dumplings

Warm, Filling and Nutritious

This spelt chicken broth with dumplings is perfect for chilly days. It’s packed with protein, veg, and fibre thanks to the spelt flour dumplings. Each bite is soft, savoury, and deeply comforting.

No fancy prep, just honest ingredients simmered into a rich and satisfying meal.

Quick Prep, Big Flavour

You’ll only need one pot and 15 minutes of prep. The broth simmers gently while you mix dumplings from scratch in minutes. Spelt flour adds nuttiness and structure to the dumplings — a simple twist on a classic.

Serve it as lunch or dinner. It's filling but not heavy.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Cuisine: British

Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Estimated Cost: 6.50

Calories: 365

Best Season: Winter

Description

A nourishing one-pot dish with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and spelt flour dumplings. A balanced, warming meal that’s both hearty and healthy.

Ingredients

For the Broth:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 sticks celery (chopped)
2 medium carrots (peeled and sliced)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 litre chicken stock, low salt
2 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless (diced)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

For the Spelt Dumplings:

120 g spelt flour, wholegrain
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp sea salt
1 tbsp fresh herbs, (parsley, thyme) (finely chopped)
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp cold water (add more if needed)

Instructions

Sauté veg.

1
Heat oil in a large pot. Cook onion, garlic, celery, and carrot for 5 minutes until softened.

Add seasoning.

2
Stir in thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.

Pour in stock and chicken.

3
Add diced chicken and chicken stock. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 25 minutes.

Mix dumpling dough.

4
In a bowl, combine spelt flour, baking powder, salt, and herbs. Stir in oil and water to form a soft dough.

Shape dumplings.

5
Divide dough into 8 small balls. Do not overwork.

Add dumplings to broth.

6
Gently drop dumplings onto simmering broth. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift lid while cooking.

Serve hot.

7
Remove bay leaf, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 365kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g19%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 70mg24%
Sodium 490mg21%
Potassium 540mg16%
Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
Dietary Fiber 5g20%
Sugars 4g
Protein 32g64%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Keep dumplings small. Larger dumplings may not cook through.
Do not lift the lid while the dumplings steam.

Optional Substitutions or Variations

Meat-Free: Replace chicken with canned white beans and use veg stock.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour mix in place of spelt (adjust liquid slightly).
Extra Greens: Stir in spinach or kale in the final 5 minutes.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chilli flakes with the herbs.

Storage:
Cool completely, store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently. Dumplings may thicken broth more after chilling. Add extra stock if needed.

Keywords: spelt broth, chicken dumplings, healthy soup, no yeast dumplings, one pot meal

Tips & Variations

Make It Your Own

Change the herbs. Try rosemary or dill for a fresh twist.
Add root veg. Swap carrots with parsnips or turnip for a seasonal touch.
Lighten it up. Use chicken breast instead of thighs to reduce fat.

Small tweaks give big changes. Use what you have.

Conclusion

This spelt chicken broth with dumplings is one of those recipes that always hits the spot. It’s easy, flexible, and full of feel-good flavours. Try it tonight — and if you do, let me know in the comments how it turned out!

Read it online: https://greatbritishspeltrecipes.com/recipe/spelt-chicken-broth-with-dumplings/

Valentina

A dietitian with a passion for spelt cooking. After trying different diets, I found spelt works best in my kitchen. Join me for simple, delicious recipes that bring out the best in this ancient grain!