Vegan Chicken And Dumplings (With Chickpeas!)

With quick drop biscuits and a creamy vegan broth, this vegan chicken and dumplings recipe makes the perfect cozy soup! The soup comes together in 45 minutes thanks to chickpeas that are already cooked. Whip up a batch to enjoy for a quick dinner or enjoy for a comforting lunch!

To veganize this classic soup, I used my chickpea idea from my vegetarian Marry Me chickpeas! I chose to use chickpeas because their size is similar to chicken chunks so the soup has the same mouth feel as traditional chicken and dumplings (my food scientist background always comes in handy!).

The dumplings can be drop-style, rolled, or biscuits. But after some research and testing, drop dough won out because it’s so easy and doesn’t require any fussing around. So, if you want to learn how to make the best vegan chicken and dumplings, then let’s get cooking!

Why you’ll love it

• One pot is all you need to make both the delicious soup and the dumplings.
• Fast, thanks to chickpeas being ready to go, unlike their chicken counterpart.
• Pantry staple ingredients like flour, carrots, and broth are all you need for a full meal!

grab these ingredients

The ingredients for this soup are really pantry staples, and many of them are shelf-stable, too! The only specialty item is vegan creamer, but most grocery stores sell that now. Jump to the recipe card for the full measurements.

• Mirepoix: The base of this soup comes from the melody of flavors from a traditional mirepoix. It’s yellow onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, sautéed in a bit of olive oil.
• Poultry seasoning: This is an all-in-one seasoning made of classic spices like thyme and rosemary. We will use it in the soup and the dumplings!
• Vegetable broth: You can use store-bought broth or make your own homemade vegetable broth!
• Flour: Flour helps to thicken the stock and to make the dumplings. All-purpose flour is fine here. I wouldn’t use gluten-free for the dumplings because it may result in dense and gummy dumplings (we didn’t test this recipe with gluten-free flour).
• Chickpeas: These are also sometimes labeled as garbanzo beans, but they are one and the same. You can use either one in the canned form or cook them yourself.
• Frozen peas: Peas add a sweet burst. I like to use petite frozen peas.
• Vegan creamer: I use unsweetened vegan creamer for the broth and the dumplings, but vegan heavy cream or coconut milk will work for the broth. For the dumplings, evaporated milk, buttermilk, or plant-based drinking milk will work, too.
• Baking Powder: This helps the biscuits rise while being steamed in the soup.
• Salt: Salt is a must to help bring out all the other flavors!

How to make Chickpeas and Dumplings

This soup is super fast to make, made in one pot, and super forgiving, so there is no fussing over the stove for this recipe! Let me show you (jump to the full recipe at the end of this post).

1. Make the flavor base by sauteing the mirepoix, garlic, and seasonings.
2. Make the soup by adding the broth to the pot.
3. Prepare the dumplings while the broth simmers by mixing everything in a bowl.
4. Add the peas, chickpeas, and creamer to the soup and top with dumplings.
5. Cook covered for 15 minutes, then enjoy!

Why this Recipe Works

This recipe really is a triumph because it delivers all of the flavor, minus any animal products! Here’s exactly why we love it:

• Classic ingredients like celery, onion, and carrots maintain the flavor that chicken and dumplings are known for.
• Chickpeas offer the same texture and bite experience as chicken but don’t require any pre-cooking.
• It’s all cooked in one pot, which saves time and effort on dishes.

what to serve with chicken and dumplings

This soup is delicious on its own because it’s a soup and bread combination. But if you want some pairing ideas, here are a few of my favorites!

• Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is a refreshing salad that only takes 15 minutes to assemble!
• Easy Veggie Wraps may sound like an odd pairing, but the wrap’s refreshing crunch is a welcome contrast to the soft chickpeas and dumplings!
• Rosemary Roasted Potatoes can be popped in the oven to bake while the soup simmers.