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Paraguayan Vori Vori

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Paraguayan vori vori chicken soup with round cornmeal cheese dumplings, carrots, onion, and parsley.
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Vori vori is one of Paraguay’s defining comfort foods, pairing a clear chicken broth with tender cornmeal-and-cheese dumplings.

A gentle chicken stock provides the base while the hand-rolled dumplings cook directly in the broth and enrich it slightly.

Keep the dumplings small and the broth below a hard boil so they remain intact and tender.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in deep bowls with extra parsley, lime if desired, and crusty bread.

Round cornmeal cheese vori dumplings being added to golden Paraguayan chicken broth.

Recipe Notes

The broth can be prepared a day ahead; shape and cook the vori shortly before serving.

Paraguayan vori vori chicken soup with round cornmeal cheese dumplings, carrots, onion, and parsley.

Paraguayan Vori Vori

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Paraguayan chicken soup with tender cornmeal-and-cheese dumplings, vegetables, and parsley.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Paraguayan
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
 
 

Chicken Soup
  • 2 lb bone-in skinless chicken thighs and drumsticks
  • 10 cups water
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 medium carrots cut into chunks
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 2 tsp fine salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley chopped
Cornmeal Cheese Dumplings
  • 2 cups fine yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup finely grated Paraguayan cheese or mild farmer cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup warm chicken broth approximately

Equipment

  • Large soup pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Slotted spoon
  • Chef’s knife

Method
 

Make the Broth:
  1. Combine chicken, water, onion, carrot, celery, bay leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and pepper. Bring just to a boil and skim.
  2. Simmer gently for 45 to 55 minutes until the chicken is tender. Remove the chicken briefly and strain the broth if desired.
Shape the Vori:
  1. Mix cornmeal, cheese, butter, egg, remaining salt, and enough warm broth to form a soft cohesive dough.
  2. Roll into small irregular walnut-sized balls without compressing them heavily.
Finish the Soup:
  1. Return the broth and vegetables to a gentle simmer. Add the dumplings and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until tender and cooked through.
  2. Return the chicken, add parsley, adjust seasoning, and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 34gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 890mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5g

Notes

  • If the dough cracks, add warm broth one tablespoon at a time; if sticky, add a little cornmeal.
  • Store chicken and broth together for three days; the dumplings are best freshly cooked.

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