Description
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a rich, velvety comfort dish featuring tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, fresh vegetables, and a luscious creamy broth. Perfect for any season, this easy-to-make soup delivers warming flavors and a satisfying texture that feels like a cozy hug in every spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
Base
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi
Dairy & Fats
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried thyme or fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the diced chicken to the pot. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook for several minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked through but still tender.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes to meld flavors and finish cooking the chicken.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Gently add the potato gnocchi to the soup. Cook according to package instructions, typically 2-3 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the surface indicating they are done.
- Stir in Cream and Greens: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh spinach or kale. Cook just until the greens wilt and the soup turns creamy and luscious. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Don’t overcook gnocchi to avoid mushy texture; watch carefully while cooking.
- Use homemade chicken broth for deeper flavor if possible.
- For a lighter soup, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Season gradually at each step to build complex layers of flavor.
- Add greens last to keep them bright and tender.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- This soup pairs well with crusty bread or a light salad.
- For freezing, separate broth and chicken to maintain texture; add fresh gnocchi when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg