Cozy Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Whipping up a delightful creamy chicken gnocchi soup brings comfort directly to your kitchen table.

Soft potato dumplings float alongside tender chicken pieces in a rich, velvety broth.

Hearty ingredients create a warm embrace that chases away chilly evening blues.

Seasonings dance through each spoonful, promising deep satisfaction with every bite.

Cozy and inviting, this soup feels like a culinary hug from your favorite Italian grandmother.

Freshly chopped herbs add a vibrant finishing touch that makes the dish truly memorable.

Dive into this soul-warming recipe and let pure deliciousness guide your cooking adventure.

FAQs

• Is gnocchi hard to cook?

Gnocchi is actually very easy to cook. They only take 3-4 minutes to prepare and you’ll know they’re done when they float to the top of the liquid.

• Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh spinach?

Yes, you can substitute frozen spinach. Just thaw and drain it completely before adding to the soup to prevent excess water.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken are perfect. They’re already cooked and add great flavor to the soup. If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, you can quickly boil or pan-sear chicken breasts and shred them.

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup to Warm You Up

• Craft Comfort Quickly: Dive into a soul-warming soup that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal without complex cooking techniques.
• Feed the Family Happily: Packed with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and nutritious spinach, this recipe pleases everyone from kids to adults with its creamy, satisfying flavor.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Streamline your cooking process by preparing a complete meal in a single pot, minimizing kitchen cleanup while delivering protein, vegetables, and hearty goodness in every spoonful.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like kale for spinach or add extra herbs to make this recipe uniquely yours, perfect for adapting to personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients Needed for Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Chicken: Tender, shredded protein that provides the hearty base for the soup.
• Gnocchi: Soft, pillowy potato dumplings that add a comforting texture to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid that creates the foundation of the soup.
• Heavy Cream: Rich dairy ingredient that gives the soup its luxurious, creamy consistency.

• Onion, Garlic, Carrots: Classic vegetable trio that builds a deep, savory flavor profile for the soup.

• Spinach, Thyme, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper: Ingredients that enhance the overall taste and provide a fresh, herbal note to the creamy soup.

Step-by-Step Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatic Vegetables

Warm up a spacious pot and melt butter over medium heat. Toss in finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced carrots.

Let them dance and soften, releasing their delightful fragrances until they become tender and translucent.

Step 2: Blend Protein and Creamy Liquids

Introduce shredded chicken into the vegetable mixture.

Pour in rich chicken broth, velvety heavy cream, and smooth milk. Gently bring the liquid to a soft, bubbling simmer, allowing all flavors to mingle and merge.

Step 3: Cook Pillowy Gnocchi

Carefully drop soft gnocchi into the simmering soup. Watch as these little potato dumplings gracefully float to the surface, signaling they are perfectly cooked (typically within 3-4 minutes).

Step 4: Enhance with Herbal Notes

Stir in fresh spinach leaves, aromatic thyme, zesty Italian seasoning, a sprinkle of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Let the soup gently simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the herbs to infuse their essence and everything to heat thoroughly.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Ladle the steaming, creamy soup into warm bowls. Enjoy the comforting blend of textures and flavors right away while it’s piping hot.

Notes on Perfecting Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Swap whole milk for lighter options like almond or skim milk to reduce calories without compromising creamy texture.
• Prepare extra shredded chicken in advance and freeze for quick meal prep during busy weeknights.
• Select shelf-stable or fresh gnocchi based on your convenience and prefer soft, pillowy potato varieties for best results.
• Add roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for extra nutrition and vibrant color in the soup.
• Garnish with fresh parmesan cheese and chopped herbs to elevate the flavor profile and make the dish more visually appealing.

Flavor Twists for Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken with white beans or firm tofu, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional wheat gnocchi with gluten-free potato gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute gnocchi with roasted cauliflower florets or zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal option.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Use coconut milk or almond milk instead of heavy cream and regular milk, paired with olive oil in place of butter for a dairy-free version.

Serving Ideas for Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Cozy Dinner Delight: Serve this soup in deep ceramic bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese on top, creating a comforting winter meal perfect for family gatherings.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Pair the soup with crusty sourdough or garlic bread slices on the side, allowing guests to dip and soak up the rich, creamy broth for extra flavor.
• Weekend Lunch Special: Transform the soup into a hearty meal by adding a small mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette, providing a fresh contrast to the soup's creamy texture.
• Elegant Entertaining Option: Serve in small appetizer portions using elegant espresso cups or mini soup bowls for a sophisticated appetizer at dinner parties or gatherings.

How to Store Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Refrigerate leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring freshness and preventing bacterial growth.
• Transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• When reheating from the refrigerator, pour the soup into a pot and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• For frozen soup, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore the creamy consistency.

Hearty Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Olive Garden’s creamy chicken gnocchi soup provides comfort in a bowl with hearty ingredients. Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant favorite with simple techniques and rich, satisfying flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 pound (454 grams) potato gnocchi
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
• 2 cups (474 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) milk

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (140 grams) shredded carrots
• 1 cup (30 grams) fresh spinach, chopped

Seasonings and Fats:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat butter in a spacious pot over medium temperature, gently sautéing diced onions, minced garlic, and julienned carrots until they become tender and translucent.
2. Incorporate shredded chicken, rich chicken broth, velvety heavy cream, and smooth milk into the vegetable mixture, allowing the liquid to reach a gentle bubbling state.
3. Carefully introduce pillowy gnocchi into the simmering soup, monitoring until they gracefully rise to the surface, which typically occurs within 3-4 minutes.
4. Fold in fresh spinach leaves, aromatic thyme, robust Italian seasoning, delicate salt, and ground black pepper, letting the ingredients meld together for 2-3 minutes until thoroughly warmed.
5. Ladle the steaming, creamy soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion captures the harmonious blend of textures and flavors, and serve immediately for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Ensure vegetables are finely chopped for even cooking and better texture distribution throughout the soup.
• Avoid overcooking gnocchi to prevent them from becoming mushy and losing their delightful pillowy texture.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, reducing overall calorie content.
• Enhance protein content by adding white beans or additional shredded chicken for a more substantial meal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 344 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg