Cozy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Heartwarming Cozy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe For Chilly Days

Steaming bowls of chicken gnocchi soup warm hearts on chilly evenings.

This comforting classic brings together tender potato dumplings and hearty chicken in a creamy broth.

Herbs and vegetables dance through each spoonful, creating layers of rich flavor.

Home cooks adore how quickly this soup comes together with simple ingredients.

The soup’s velvety texture and robust profile make it a standout meal for any weeknight dinner.

Packed with nutrition and pure deliciousness, you’ll want to savor every single bite.

This recipe promises to become a new favorite in your kitchen repertoire.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 6

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredient List

For Proteins:
  • Chicken: Lean protein that adds heartiness and rich flavor, choose boneless and skinless for easy shredding.
  • Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that provide comforting texture, select fresh or vacuum-sealed for best quality.
For Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Onion, Celery, Carrots: Classic mirepoix blend creating deep savory base, select firm and bright-colored vegetables.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient boosting overall soup complexity, choose fresh bulbs with tight, unbroken skin.
  • Spinach: Delicate green that adds nutrition and vibrant color, pick crisp leaves without wilting or yellowing.
For Liquids and Thickeners:
  • Chicken Broth: Foundation of soup's flavor, opt for low-sodium versions to control salt levels.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious richness and smooth consistency, select high-quality dairy for best results.
  • Butter, Olive Oil: Create initial sautéing base, use extra virgin olive oil for enhanced flavor.
  • Flour: Thickening agent that helps create soup's creamy texture, all-purpose flour works perfectly.
For Seasonings:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper.
  • Fresh Thyme or Parsley: Optional garnish adding fresh herbal notes, choose bright green leaves.

Tools for That Cozy One-Pot Soup

  • Large Pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and cooking the entire soup.
  • Sharp Knife: Perfect for dicing onions, slicing carrots, chopping celery and garlic.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring vegetables and mixing soup ingredients.
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure broth, flour, and seasonings.
  • Ladle: Ideal for serving soup into individual bowls.
  • Shredding Tool or Two Forks: Useful for shredding cooked chicken.

Simmer Chicken Gnocchi to Creamy Comfort

  • Kickstart the Sizzle

Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot, creating a golden base for your culinary adventure.

  • Dancing Vegetables

Toss in onions, celery, and carrots, letting them dance and soften until they whisper tenderness. Sprinkle garlic for an aromatic punch.

  • Flour Power

Dust vegetables with flour, stirring quickly to create a silky foundation. Pour chicken broth slowly, whisking to prevent any sneaky lumps.

  • Gnocchi

Bring the liquid to a gentle boil and drop in gnocchi. Watch them bob and float, signaling they’re perfectly cooked and ready to party.

  • Creamy Transformation

Fold in shredded chicken and luxurious cream, letting the soup become rich and velvety. Lower the heat to a soft simmer.

  • Green Finale

Stir in fresh spinach until it wilts gracefully. Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting to your flavor preference.

  • Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of fresh herbs if you’re feeling extra fancy.

Tips That Keep the Texture Smooth and Satisfying

  • Whisk the flour carefully to prevent lumps, creating a silky-smooth base that makes the soup extra luxurious.
  • This soup can be refrigerated for 3-4 days, with flavors developing even more intensity overnight – perfect for meal prep enthusiasts.
  • Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free flour and gnocchi for celiac-friendly adaptation.
  • Experiment with different proteins like shredded turkey, white beans, or plant-based chicken alternatives to keep the recipe versatile and exciting.
  • Toss in additional vegetables like kale, zucchini, or mushrooms to increase nutritional value and create exciting flavor layers.

Serve in Bowls with Crusty Bread

  • Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty sourdough or Italian bread to dip into the creamy soup, soaking up all the delicious flavors and adding a delightful crunch.
  • Herb Garden Sprinkle: Scatter fresh chopped parsley, thyme, or chives on top for a burst of color and bright, aromatic notes that enhance the soup's richness.
  • Cheesy Topping Twist: Grate some parmesan or pecorino romano cheese over the soup just before serving, creating a salty, tangy layer that perfectly complements the creamy chicken and gnocchi.
  • Salad Side Dance: Pair the soup with a light, crisp green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and add a refreshing contrast to the meal.

Refrigerate Soup and Reheat Slowly

  • Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Seal soup carefully to maintain flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Warm soup gently on stovetop, adding splash of broth to restore original consistency. Avoid microwave to prevent gnocchi from becoming tough and rubbery.
  • Cool soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Remove gnocchi before freezing to prevent texture breakdown. Store up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness and minimize food waste.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients that make this soup hearty and delicious?

The key ingredients include soft gnocchi, tender shredded chicken, fresh vegetables like carrots and celery, and a rich creamy base made with chicken broth and heavy cream. The combination creates a comforting and satisfying soup.

  • Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Yes, this soup offers a balanced mix of protein from chicken, vegetables providing essential nutrients, and carbohydrates from gnocchi. The spinach adds extra vitamins and minerals, making it a wholesome meal option.

  • Can I make this soup vegetarian-friendly?

To make it vegetarian, replace chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or white beans, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and follow the same cooking method. This will maintain the soup’s creamy texture and flavor profile.

  • How difficult is this recipe for home cooks?

This chicken gnocchi soup is beginner-friendly. The recipe involves simple techniques like sautéing vegetables, creating a roux, and simmering ingredients. Most home cooks with basic kitchen skills can successfully prepare this delicious soup.

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Cozy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Cozy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe


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4.9 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup delivers comforting Italian-American flavors in one hearty bowl. Creamy textures and rich herbs combine with tender potato dumplings you will savor with each spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package (16 oz / 450 g) gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 cups (300 g) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 4 cups (1 liter) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Base: Heat a large pot with butter and olive oil over medium-high heat until butter melts and surfaces with a fragrant sheen.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Add onions, celery, and carrots, cooking until they soften and become translucent, releasing their inherent sweetness and developing a golden undertone.
  3. Develop Flavor: Introduce minced garlic, stirring for one minute to activate its aromatic essence, then dust the vegetable mixture with flour, ensuring complete and even coating.
  4. Create Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth slowly while whisking continuously, eliminating potential flour clumps and establishing a smooth, velvety liquid base.
  5. Cook Gnocchi: Increase heat to trigger a gentle boil, then add gnocchi and simmer until they float effortlessly, indicating perfect tenderness and readiness.
  6. Enrich Soup: Reduce heat, incorporate shredded chicken and heavy cream, creating a luxurious and harmonious texture that embraces all ingredients.
  7. Finish and Season: Fold in spinach leaves until they wilt gracefully, then season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
  8. Serve: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and optionally garnish with delicate fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for an elegant presentation.

Notes

Manage Vegetable Texture: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent uneven softening, allowing each piece to release flavors harmoniously.

Control Flour Coating: Sprinkle flour gradually and stir continuously to prevent clumping, creating a silky smooth base without raw flour taste.

Handle Gnocchi Carefully: Add gnocchi when liquid is gently boiling and watch closely – they’re ready when they float, typically within 2-3 minutes, avoiding overcooking that can turn them mushy.

Cream Integration Technique: Lower heat before adding cream to prevent curdling, stirring gently to maintain a velvety, luxurious consistency without separation.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 478
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 890 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 91 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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