Chicken gnocchi soup is a hearty, comforting soup that is surprisingly easy to make at home. This creamy soup is packed with flavorful chicken, soft potato gnocchi dumplings, and fresh spinach. With just a few simple ingredients, you can recreate this popular Olive Garden soup and enjoy a steaming bowl of chicken gnocchi goodness.
Overview of Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Chicken gnocchi soup has a smooth, creamy base made from a roux and chicken broth. Diced chicken breast, garlic, onions, carrots, and celery are sauteed to add savory flavor. After simmering, potato gnocchi dumplings are added to the soup and cook until soft and pillowy. Finally, fresh spinach is stirred in at the end to add color and nutrients.
The key ingredients in chicken gnocchi soup are
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Chicken – boneless, skinless chicken breast provides lean protein. Thighs can also be used.
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Gnocchi – soft, pillow-like potato dumplings.
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Vegetable aromatics – onion, celery, carrots, garlic.
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Chicken broth – adds flavor.
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Cream/milk – makes the base rich and creamy.
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Butter/oil – for sauteing.
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Flour – thickens the broth into a creamy soup
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Spinach – wilts into the soup at the end.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make perfect chicken gnocchi soup:
Prep the ingredients
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Dice the chicken breast into 1/2 inch pieces.
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Peel and dice the carrots, onion, and celery into small pieces.
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Mince the garlic.
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Measure out the chicken broth, flour, milk/cream, and seasonings.
Make the roux
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Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat.
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Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
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Stir in the diced carrots, onion, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
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Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Simmer the soup
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Gradually whisk in the chicken broth.
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Add the diced chicken breast. Bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
Finish the soup
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Stir in the gnocchi and cook for 5-7 minutes until the dumplings are tender.
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Add the milk/cream and spinach. Cook until heated through.
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Season to taste with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings.
That’s it! For a richer broth, try making a homemade chicken stock. Serve piping hot with crusty bread.
Tips for Making Chicken Gnocchi Soup
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For maximum flavor, brown the chicken before adding it to the soup.
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Add herbs like dried thyme, basil, and parsley.
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Cook the raw flour with the vegetables to prevent lumps.
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Use potato gnocchi, not ricotta gnocchi, for the best texture.
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Add the gnocchi toward the end so it doesn’t get mushy.
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Use half and half or heavy cream for an ultra creamy soup.
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Stir in Parmesan cheese or lemon juice before serving.
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Garnish with shredded cheese, croutons, or roasted veggies.
FAQs
What kind of gnocchi should I use?
Potato gnocchi works best in soups. The little pillow-like dumplings hold their shape and absorb the surrounding flavors. Avoid ricotta gnocchi as it can fall apart.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Rotisserie chicken is an easy shortcut. Shred or dice the cooked chicken and add it when you would normally add the raw chicken.
Is chicken gnocchi soup gluten free?
The traditional version contains wheat flour so it is not gluten free. You can substitute rice flour or cornstarch when making the roux. Check labels as some store-bought gnocchi may contain gluten.
Can I prepare this soup in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the soup up to the point before adding the gnocchi, then refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat and add the gnocchi just before serving.
What spices go well in chicken gnocchi soup?
Classic Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley pair nicely with the chicken and gnocchi. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
More Chicken Gnocchi Soup Tips
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Save time by using rotisserie chicken.
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Cook a turkey breast and use the meat in the soup.
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Make it even easier with pre-cut veggies or mirepoix mix.
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Use chicken stock concentrate if you don’t have broth on hand.
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Add peas, kale, or green beans for extra veggies.
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Stir in grated parmesan just before serving.
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Top with croutons or oyster crackers for crunch.
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Drizzle with olive oil or pesto for added richness.
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Freeze leftovers in individual portions for quick meals.
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Use milk instead of cream for a lighter version.
Conclusion
Chicken gnocchi soup may sound fancy, but it’s actually quite simple to recreate at home. With a few basic ingredients like chicken, potato gnocchi, broth, and veggies, you can put together a steaming pot of this satisfying soup in under an hour. Follow the step-by-step instructions for sautéing the aromatics, simmering the chicken, and cooking the pillowy gnocchi dumplings. Finish it off with fresh spinach and you have a delicious soup ready for serving. This hearty dish makes for a comforting meal any time of year.
How To Make Chicken And Gnocchi Soup
Step 1: Cook chicken in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat, about 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through. Alternatively, you could use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken. Dice celery, onion, and carrots.
Step 2: Place a large pot over medium heat and add butter. Add the diced celery, onion, and carrots.
Step 3: Cook veggies for five minutes until they start to become translucent. Add garlic and cook an additional two minutes.
Step 4: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and butter to create a roux. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning. This will help thicken the soup. You want to make sure to cook the flour a few minutes (without burning) to cook out the flour taste.
Step 5: Add in the broth and cook until thickened.
Step 6: Dice chicken and add to soup.
Step 7: Add thyme and gnocchi. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until gnocchi is cooked.
Step 8: Add cream and a little salt and pepper to taste.
Step 9: Lastly, add fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
Step 10: Serve with some crusty bread and enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Great for when you need to feed a crowd – I love making a large batch of this soup for dinner one night, and then we have at least one (maybe even two) easy and quick lunches for another day. It’s an easy way to get ahead through the week, while still feeding my family a nourishing meal.
Perfect for soup season and beyond – The vegetables provide a freshness to the soup that really give the dish a place on the menu in every season.
Make it all homemade or throw it together quickly with a few store bought items –If you are pinched for time, you could use store-bought broth, gnocchi, leftover chicken, or even a rotisserie chicken. I prefer to make it all homemade, but we all have those busy weeknights when we need something quick.
Chicken or bone broth – Making your own bone broth is super easy. I will roast a whole chicken and then use the bones for broth. You end up with chicken for your soup and broth. Learn how to make homemade bone broth in the Instant Pot.
Gnocchi – While store bought gnocchi is just fine, I like to use my homemade gnocchi. It’s easier to make than you would think!
Heavy cream – I prefer cream to make a really creamy broth, but use what you have! Half and half or even whole milk would work just fine.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.