Homemade Dutch Chicken Soup with Kaasbroodje (Cheese Roll) (includes complimentary surprise dessert)

Dutch home cooking has a quiet, grounding way of turning simple, familiar ingredients into something comforting and satisfying. It’s a style of cooking built on warmth, patience, and nourishment—where a pot on the stove and something fresh from the oven come together to create a meal that feels complete and familiar.

This dish is also inspired by our upcoming trip to the Netherlands this July. I’m so excited to go back—it’s been 37 years since my last visit. What makes this trip especially meaningful is that my husband and our 17-year-old son will be experiencing it for the first time. Our son Shane was accepted into a two-week Business and Entrepreneurship program at the University of Amsterdam, and we will only have a few days together in the Netherlands as a family before he begins the program. I’m really looking forward to those shared days and seeing some of the country together through all of our eyes.

At the center is a Homemade Dutch Chicken Soup, slowly simmered with a whole chicken, onions, carrots, leeks, garlic, and herbs. As it cooks, the chicken releases its natural flavor and body into the broth, creating a golden soup that is rich yet clear. Bay leaf, thyme, and a touch of foelie (mace) add gentle aromatic warmth that is traditional in Dutch cooking and gives the soup its signature character.

Just before serving, delicate vermicelli is added, softening directly in the hot broth and giving the soup a light, comforting heartiness that is classic in Dutch “kippensoep met vermicelli.” It brings a gentle texture that makes each spoonful feel more complete without weighing down the clarity of the broth.

The chicken provides lean protein, while the long simmer draws out minerals like iron, zinc, and gelatin from the bones, creating a broth that feels nourishing and restorative. Carrots and leeks soften into the soup, adding natural sweetness, fiber, and lightness that balance the richness of the stock.

Alongside the soup is a freshly baked kaasbroodje (cheese roll)—soft, warm bread filled with melted cheese. It has a tender crumb and a buttery, savory flavor that pairs naturally with the soup. The cheese adds creaminess, while the bread gives texture and makes the meal more satisfying.

Together, the soup and cheese roll reflect the simplicity of Dutch home cooking: familiar ingredients, slow cooking, and food meant to be enjoyed in a calm, comforting way.

Made with care and inspired by everyday Dutch cooking, this meal is designed to feel warm, balanced, and satisfying.

I can’t wait to cook this for you!