Get ready to dive into a bowl of pure comfort with this creamy chicken gnocchi soup! It’s a wonderfully wholesome meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to your table, perfect for those busy weeknights when you still crave something homemade and delicious. This recipe takes a beloved classic and lightens it up just enough to make it a guilt-free pleasure the whole family will adore. Each serving provides about 28 grams of protein.

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup: A Lighter Take on a Comfort Food Favorite 16

This rich soup is incredibly easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a comforting dinner without all the fuss. We’re talking about a quick and straightforward process that yields a deeply flavorful and creamy soup, packed with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh spinach. It’s a true family-friendly favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is a winner for so many reasons, making it a perfect fit for almost any occasion. It’s incredibly quick to pull together, which is a huge plus for busy weeknights when time is short but you still want a nutritious, home-cooked meal. The combination of tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a rich, creamy broth makes it universally appealing, even to picky eaters. It’s hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own, yet light enough not to leave you feeling overly full. This soup is ideal for a cozy family dinner, a comforting lunch on a chilly day, or even as a make-ahead option for meal prep throughout the week. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen with minimal effort.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this creamy chicken gnocchi soup is straightforward, focusing on fresh, accessible items you can find at any grocery store. We’re keeping things simple and delicious, ensuring you won’t need any specialty items or complicated prep.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 (16-ounce) package potato gnocchi
5 ounces fresh spinach

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts if you prefer, as they tend to stay a bit more moist. If you don’t have fresh spinach, a bag of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) works well, just add it at the very end. Feel free to use low-sodium chicken broth if you’re watching your salt intake; you can always adjust the seasoning later. If you don’t have fresh garlic, a teaspoon of garlic powder can be used in a pinch, though fresh is always best for flavor.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this creamy chicken gnocchi soup is a breeze. Follow these steps for a delicious and comforting meal.

Sauté the aromatics and chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Build the broth: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the gnocchi: Once the broth is simmering, add the potato gnocchi to the pot. Cook according to package directions, usually 2-3 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the surface, indicating they are cooked through and tender.
Return the chicken and add cream: Stir the cooked chicken back into the soup. Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Allow the soup to heat through gently for 2-3 minutes, being careful not to bring it to a rolling boil after adding the cream.
Stir in the spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the pot, stirring until it wilts into the soup, which should only take a minute or two.
Taste and serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary, adding more salt or pepper to your preference. Ladle the warm soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can use smaller pasta shapes like ditalini or mini shells instead of gnocchi, or even add a handful of frozen peas for extra veggies. If you want to boost the vegetable content, consider adding chopped zucchini or bell peppers along with the carrots and celery. For a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be stirred in with the other seasonings.

When it comes to serving, this soup is fantastic on its own as a complete meal. However, it pairs beautifully with a side of crusty bread for dipping, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, or even some homemade garlic knots. For a more elegant presentation, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese just before serving adds a lovely finish. It’s also a great option for a casual buffet or potluck, as it holds well and is always a crowd-pleaser.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have a few pitfalls, but knowing what to watch out for will ensure your creamy chicken gnocchi soup turns out perfect every time.

One common mistake is overcooking the gnocchi. Potato gnocchi cook very quickly, usually just a few minutes until they float to the top. If you cook them too long, they can become gummy or fall apart. Keep a close eye on them and remove the pot from the heat as soon as they’re done.

Another slip-up can be boiling the soup too vigorously after adding the cream. High heat can cause the cream to curdle, resulting in a less smooth texture. Always reduce the heat to low before stirring in the heavy cream and simply let the soup gently heat through without boiling.

Not seasoning adequately is another common issue. While the chicken broth provides some salt, it’s important to taste the soup at the end and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference. A little extra seasoning can make a big difference in flavor.

Finally, skipping the browning step for the chicken can lead to less flavorful results. Browning the chicken before adding it to the soup helps to develop a deeper, richer taste and adds a nice texture to the meat. Don’t rush this initial step!

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is fantastic for leftovers and can even be made ahead, with a few considerations to maintain its best texture.

To store leftovers, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup has thickened too much, you can add a splash of chicken broth or milk to reach your desired consistency. Avoid boiling it vigorously, especially if it contains cream, to prevent separation.

If you plan to make this soup ahead of time, consider cooking the gnocchi separately and adding them to individual servings when reheating. Gnocchi can sometimes absorb a lot of liquid and become very soft or mushy if left in the soup for too long. Alternatively, you can prepare the soup base (chicken and vegetables in broth) and add the gnocchi and spinach fresh when you’re ready to serve. This method ensures the best texture for the gnocchi. Freezing is generally not recommended for this soup, as the gnocchi and creamy base can change texture upon thawing.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, absolutely! If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken, you can shred or cube it and add it to the soup at the same time you add the gnocchi. This will cut down on your cooking time even further.

What kind of gnocchi should I use?

This recipe calls for store-bought potato gnocchi, which you can find in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores. Fresh or shelf-stable varieties both work well.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

To make it vegetarian, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.