This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is the perfect comforting dish for a chilly evening. Made with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and hearty vegetables in a creamy broth. This soup is sure to warm you up from the inside out.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- The tender gnocchi and creamy broth make this soup the ultimate comfort food on a winter night.
- You only need simple ingredients so this soup is budget-friendly so you don't have to worry about a large grocery bill.
- This creamy chicken gnocchi soup recipe is easy enough for busy weeknights but gourmet style for guests.
- If you frequent Olive Garden, this soup is better than the chicken gnocchi soup on their menu.
Ingredient List
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- unsalted butter
- shredded carrots
- yellow onion
- diced celery
- fresh garlic cloves
- all-purpose flour
- half and half
- cooked chicken breast
- low-sodium chicken broth
- potato gnocchi
- salt
- ground black pepper
- ground nutmeg
- fresh thyme
- baby spinach
- fresh thyme
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- In a large Dutch oven melt the butter, add carrots, celery, and onion. Cook for five minutes. Add the garlic and cook until vegetables are tender.
- Add flour (gluten-free use cornstarch) to the vegetables. Then add the half and half and simmer for 3 minutes or until thickened.
- Add the cooked chicken and chicken broth, bring to a boil.
- Add the seasoning and gnocchi and cook until the gnocchi is done.
- Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 minutes.
- Serve with fresh thyme. (optional garnish)
To start with raw chicken:
If you prefer to start the recipe with 1 pound of uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1 ½-inch strips instead of using cooked chicken, here are the instructions:
Before step 1: Season 1 pound of chicken with ½ teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to the Dutch oven, allow the oil to warm.
Add the seasoned chicken to the Dutch oven. Saute until browned through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan, set aside. Proceed with the recipe.
Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.
- Additional ingredients: Add fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, or parsley.
- Spice: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Chicken: If you prefer to cook the chicken from scratch, we include the instructions in the recipe card.
- Gluten-free: Substitute 2 Tablespoons cornstarch for the all-purpose flour.
- Dairy-free: use either vegan butter or dairy-free buttery spread. Use dairy-free whipped cream, I use Califa.
- Salt: A salt substitute such as Mrs. Dash can be used instead of salt.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- Once you add the garlic to the vegetable mixture, don't overcook them. Garlic is very easy to burn.
- Allow the flour to brown for a minute or two before adding the cream. This will cook off the raw flour taste.
- Gnocchi cooks very quickly. Be sure to monitor the time of cooking the gnocchi in the soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the gnocchi will be cooked inside the soup.
The all-purpose flour that is added to the vegetables will thicken the soup. If you prefer a thicker soup, add more flour slurry to get the desired thickness.
Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: I do not recommend freezing chicken Gnocchi Soup as it is made with dairy which does not freeze well.
Note: The gnocchi expands and soaks up the soup the longer it sits in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is delicious when served on its own as a meal, however, we like to pair it with a simple bread side like this Instant Pot French Bread or these Easy Yeast Rolls. Don't forget a sweet treat like these Apple Cider Cupcakes.
Similar recipes
Are you looking for more soup recipes that will be great on a chilly day? If so, add one of these recipes to your meal plan.
Check out all our soup recipes here.
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Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
📖 Recipe
Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
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Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter Note 1: Dairy-free: 4 Tablespoons dairy free butter sticks.
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 medium diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour gluten-free 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 ¼ cups half and half Note 1
- 1 ½ cups cooked chicken breast chopped
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth Note 2
- 16 ounce potato gnocchi
- 1 teaspoon salt Note 3
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 cups baby spinach chopped
- fresh thyme optional garnish
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Instructions
- Melt 4 Tablespoons unsalted butterdairy-free option in notes) in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup diced celery , and 1 medium diced yellow onion to the Dutch oven, sauté for 5 minutes. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and continue cooking until the onions are translucent and the vegetables are tender.
- Stir ¼ cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free use 2 Tablespoons cornstarch) into the vegetables and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Gradually pour in 2 ¼ cups half and half. (dairy-free option, note 1) while stirring to prevent clumping. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes or until thickened.
- Add 1 ½ cups cooked chicken breast and 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth Note 2 to the Dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stir in 16 ounce potato gnocchi, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 2 sprigs fresh thyme Simmer for 5 minutes or until the gnocchi is cooked through.
- Stir in 2 cups baby spinach and cook until wilted about 2 minutes.
- Taste the soup for seasoning, if needed adjust any seasoning.
- Serve the soup. Top with fresh thyme , optional garnish.
NOTES
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