Chicken Soup with Farina Dumplings

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade chicken soup, especially when it’s filled with tender vegetables, flavorful broth, and soft, fluffy farina dumplings. This comforting recipe puts an Austrian-inspired twist on classic chicken soup, using simple ingredients to create a satisfying meal that’s perfect for chilly days.

In Austria, farina dumplings are known as Grießnockerl and are traditionally served in a clear, savory broth. Made with farina (also known as Cream of Wheat), butter, egg, and a pinch of nutmeg, these delicate dumplings add a delicious texture to homemade soup.

If you’ve never made farina dumplings before, this easy recipe is a great place to start. Guten Appetit!

How to Make Chicken Soup with Farina Dumplings

Ingredients

For the Chicken Soup

  • 8 cups water
  • 3 chicken legs
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, diced
  • 2 teaspoons chicken broth concentrate
  • Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
  • Black pepper, to taste

For the Farina Dumplings

  • 1/2 cup farina or Cream of Wheat
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of grated nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken broth. Place the chicken legs, water, bay leaf, and salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
  2. Shred the chicken. Carefully remove the chicken legs with tongs and transfer them to a bowl to cool. Once cool enough to handle, separate the meat from the bones and skin. Coarsely chop the chicken and set aside. Save the bones to make homemade bone broth.
  3. Cook the vegetables. Add the chopped onion, celery, carrot, and chicken broth concentrate to the pot. Return to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. While the vegetables cook, prepare the farina dumplings.
  4. Make the farina dumpling dough. In a bowl, mix the farina and softened butter with a fork. Beat in the egg, salt, and grated nutmeg until a smooth dough forms. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes.
  5. Cook the dumplings. With the soup gently simmering, use two teaspoons to drop approximately 1/2 teaspoon portions of dough into the broth. If the dough sticks, dip the spoons into the hot soup between portions. The farina dumplings will expand as they cook, so leave room for them to grow.
  6. Simmer until tender. Once all the dumplings have been added, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for approximately 10 minutes. Avoid a hard boil, which can cause the delicate dumplings to break apart.
  7. Finish and serve. Return the chopped chicken to the soup and cook for a few minutes until warmed through. Taste and adjust with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Stir in the fresh parsley and serve warm.

Tips for Making Farina Dumplings

What is farina?

Farina is a finely milled wheat cereal commonly sold as Cream of Wheat. When combined with butter and egg, it creates tender dumplings that absorb the flavor of the soup broth as they cook.

How do you keep farina dumplings from falling apart?

The key to making farina dumplings is allowing the dough to rest before cooking and maintaining a gentle simmer. Resting helps the farina absorb moisture, while avoiding a rolling boil helps the dumplings hold their shape.

Can you make larger farina dumplings?

Yes! Traditional Austrian-style farina dumplings can vary in size. This recipe calls for small, teaspoon-sized portions, but you can make larger dumplings if you prefer. Just remember that larger dumplings may need additional cooking time.

Can you make farina dumplings with Cream of Wheat?

Absolutely! Cream of Wheat is a common brand of farina and works well in this recipe. Just be sure to use plain, unflavored farina rather than a sweetened or flavored variety.

Keep Cookin’ with Oryana

Looking for more comforting meals to make at home? Explore our recipe collection for homemade soups, seasonal favorites, and easy meals made with ingredients from your co-op.

Want to build your kitchen skills? Check out our upcoming cooking classes and sign up for the Oryana newsletter for more recipes, cooking inspiration, and community happenings.