Cozy Chicken & Dumplings Soup with Smoked Bacon: A Hearty Comfort Food Delight

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside, leaving a small amount of bacon drippings in the pot for added flavor.

Sauté the Vegetables:
In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Simmer the Soup:
Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, thyme, and sage. Stir to combine, then bring the soup to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it cook for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir in the shredded chicken and half of the cooked bacon.

Make the Dumplings:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually stir in the milk to form a thick dough. Gently fold in the chopped parsley.

Add the Dumplings:
Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering soup. Cover the pot with a lid and let the dumplings cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are fluffy and cooked through. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to ensure the dumplings rise properly.

Serve:
Once the dumplings are cooked, ladle the soup into bowls and top with the remaining crispy bacon. Garnish with extra parsley for a fresh touch. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side for dipping.

Serving and Storage Tips: