Creamy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Easy Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

My cozy homemade chicken gnocchi soup delivers comfort in less than half an hour.

Pillowy potato dumplings float alongside tender chicken pieces in a creamy broth.

Warm kitchen aromas promise instant satisfaction with each spoonful.

Weeknight dinner solutions rarely feel this delightful and effortless.

Simple ingredients create magic when blended with care and intuition.

Familiar flavors merge into something extraordinary that makes everyone smile.

You’ll want to savor every last drop of this soul-warming creation.

30-Minute Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup That Impresses

  • Quicken Weeknight Dinners: Craft a satisfying meal in under an hour with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy families craving a comforting and hearty soup.
  • Boost Nutrition Easily: Pack vegetables like spinach, carrots, and celery into one delicious bowl, creating a balanced meal that nourishes without sacrificing flavor.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like chicken for rotisserie or frozen gnocchi to match your pantry, making this recipe incredibly flexible for home cooks of all skill levels.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a creamy, rich soup that appeals to both kids and adults, transforming a simple recipe into a family favorite that everyone will request again and again.

Ingredients for Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Main Ingredients:
  • Chicken: Shredded protein that provides a hearty and satisfying base for the soup.
  • Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that add a comforting and filling element to the dish.
  • Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid that creates the foundational soup base.
Vegetables:
  • Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that build a rich and deep flavor profile for the soup.
  • Spinach: Fresh leafy green that adds nutritional value and a pop of color to the soup.
Seasonings and Dairy:
  • Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Essential herbs and seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the soup.
  • Heavy Cream: Creamy ingredient that provides a luxurious and smooth texture to the soup.
  • Olive Oil: Cooking fat used to sauté the vegetables and develop initial flavors.

Step-by-Step Chicken Gnocchi Soup Directions

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery.

Stir and cook these veggies until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delicious flavors, which takes about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Broth

Pour chicken broth into the pot and bring the liquid to a rolling boil.

Sprinkle in dried thyme, season with salt and pepper to enhance the taste profile of your soup.

Step 3: Add Protein and Pillowy Pasta

Gently fold shredded chicken and soft gnocchi into the bubbling broth.

Let them dance together in the pot, cooking for 3-5 minutes until the gnocchi begins to float, signaling they’re perfectly tender.

Step 4: Finish with Creamy Goodness

Lower the heat and swirl in heavy cream, creating a luxurious texture.

Toss in fresh spinach leaves, which will beautifully wilt and add a pop of green color. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing all flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Ladle the steaming, creamy soup into bowls. The comforting aroma will invite everyone to the table, ready to enjoy this hearty and satisfying meal.

Tips for Chicken Gnocchi Soup Success

  • Swap out heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
  • Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the soup.
  • Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for quick shredding and added convenience when pressed for time.
  • Select fresh or frozen gnocchi based on personal preference and availability, ensuring they're cooked until they float to prevent gumminess.
  • Consider adding extra herbs like rosemary or parsley for enhanced aromatic profile and deeper taste complexity.

Flavor Twists for Chicken Gnocchi Soup

  • Gluten-Free Gnocchi Swap: Replace traditional wheat gnocchi with potato-based or gluten-free gnocchi for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegetarian Version: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or white beans, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Option: Replace gnocchi with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content and create a lighter soup experience.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream or almond milk instead of heavy cream, and add nutritional yeast for a creamy texture without dairy.

Pairings to Enjoy with Chicken Gnocchi Soup

  • Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather around the table with warm bowls of soup, crusty bread on the side for dipping and soaking up the creamy broth.
  • Lunch Prep Companion: Pack this soup in a thermos for a hearty work or school lunch that stays warm and comforting throughout the day.
  • Rustic Italian-Inspired Gathering: Serve in ceramic bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan, garnish with extra thyme, and create a casual dining experience that feels like a countryside meal.
  • Weekend Wellness Boost: Pair the soup with a light green salad and enjoy a nutritious, soul-warming meal that helps fight off winter chills and supports immune health.

Best Storage for Chicken Gnocchi Soup

  • Store leftover chicken gnocchi soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Cool the soup completely before transferring to storage containers to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Keep the soup and any remaining fresh spinach separate to maintain the best texture and prevent wilting.

FAQs

  • What ingredients make this chicken gnocchi soup special?

The combination of tender gnocchi, shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy broth creates a hearty and comforting meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrition.

  • Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, this soup can be prepared ahead of time and reheated easily. The gnocchi and vegetables hold up well when stored properly in the refrigerator, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights.

  • Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe?

You can easily swap spinach for kale or Swiss chard, use different herbs like rosemary instead of thyme, and replace chicken with turkey for variety while maintaining the soup’s core flavor profile.

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Creamy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Creamy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe


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4.6 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Olive Garden-inspired chicken gnocchi soup delights home cooks with its creamy Italian-style comfort. Hearty ingredients and simple techniques help diners craft this restaurant-quality meal quickly and easily.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) cooked chicken, shredded or diced

Produce:

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

Pantry and Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) potato gnocchi
  • 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a spacious Dutch oven, warm olive oil over medium temperature. Sauté diced onions, minced garlic, julienned carrots, and chopped celery until vegetables turn translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
  2. Stream chicken broth into the pot, elevating heat to achieve a rolling boil. Sprinkle dried thyme, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, stirring to integrate seasonings thoroughly.
  3. Introduce shredded roasted chicken and pillowy potato gnocchi into the simmering liquid. Allow contents to dance and cook for 3-4 minutes, watching gnocchi rise and become buoyant.
  4. Decrease stovetop temperature to low. Gently fold rich heavy cream into the soup, creating a luxurious texture. Immediately add fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and soften for 2 minutes.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the velvety soup into ceramic bowls, ensuring each serving captures chicken, vegetables, and delicate gnocchi.
  6. Garnish with optional fresh parsley or additional cracked pepper. Serve piping hot, perfect for a comforting meal during chilly evenings.

Notes

  • Customize the gnocchi by using whole wheat or gluten-free varieties for dietary preferences.
  • Control the soup’s thickness by adjusting the amount of cream or using half-and-half for a lighter version.
  • Enhance flavor by roasting vegetables before adding them to the pot for deeper, caramelized notes.
  • Prep ingredients in advance to make this quick soup even faster on busy weeknights.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 335 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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