Vori Vori (Hearty Chicken Soup with Cornmeal and Cheese Dumplings)

  • Broth Prep - 45 minutes
  • Dumpling Formation - 15 minutes
  • Cooking with Dumplings - 15 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Paraguay
A thick, yellow Vori Vori soup with chicken, vegetables, and small cornmeal and cheese balls floating in it.

Vori Vori (or Borí Borí) is a classic Paraguayan 'sopa' (soup), where the key are the small 'borí' balls made of cornmeal and cheese (Queso Paraguay). These dumplings make the soup very hearty and thick.

It is traditionally cooked with chicken (de pollo), but there are also versions with beef or just vegetables. It tastes best with a rich vegetable and chicken broth, where the dumplings absorb all the flavor.

Ingredients

I. Chicken Broth

  • 500 g Chicken Thighs or Wings (with skin and bone)
  • 1 pc Onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 pc Carrot, chopped
  • 150 g Squash (e.g., butternut), diced
  • 1 pc Tomato, chopped
  • 2 l Water/Broth
  • 1 to taste Salt, pepper, bay leaf

II. Borí (Dumplings)

  • 250 g Cornmeal (Harina de Maíz, not instant polenta!)
  • 100 g Cheese (Queso Paraguay, Feta, or other fresh cheese), grated
  • 2 tbsp Butter, softened
  • 1 approx. 100 ml Hot Chicken Broth
  • 1 pinch Salt and oregano

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing and Cooking the Broth

In a large pot, brown the chicken pieces in oil. Remove and set aside.

In the same fat, sauté the onion and garlic, then add the carrot, squash, and tomato, and cook for 5 minutes.

Return the chicken to the pot. Add water/broth, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and simmer covered for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is tender.

Remove the chicken, debone it, and shred the meat. Strain the soup (if you want a clearer broth) or leave the vegetables in (the traditional way).

Step 2: Forming the Borí Dumplings

In a bowl, mix the cornmeal, grated cheese, butter, a pinch of salt, and oregano.

Gradually add the hot chicken broth (from Step 1) until a firm yet workable dough is formed. Do not knead the dough; just combine it so it retains a grainy texture.

Shape the dough into small balls (about 1-1.5 cm in diameter). For an extra cheesy core, you can place a tiny piece of cheese in the center of each ball.

Step 3: Finishing the Soup

Bring the broth back to a boil (if strained, add the shredded chicken and vegetables back in).

Carefully drop the borí dumplings into the boiling broth. Cook them for 10-15 minutes. They are done when they float to the surface and the broth thickens slightly.

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Serve Vori Vori hot, sprinkled with fresh parsley or green onion.