If you love cozy, comforting bowls of soup that feel like a warm hug on a chilly day, you are going to adore this Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of tender shredded chicken, pillowy gnocchi, vibrant veggies, and a luscious creamy broth that will have you savoring every spoonful. Whether you’re cooking for family or meal prepping for the week, this soup brings together simple ingredients in a flavorful way that’s both hearty and elegant.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might look straightforward, but each plays a vital role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this soup irresistible. From the aromatic veggies to the creamy base and fragrant herbs, every element contributes to friendly, satisfying perfection.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a fruity richness and is perfect for sautéing veggies at the start.
- Yellow onion: Provides a sweet and savory aromatic foundation for the soup.
- Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and lovely orange hue to brighten the dish.
- Celery stalks: Add a subtle earthy crunch that balances the creaminess.
- Salted butter: Enhances the flavor while helping create the roux for thickness.
- All-purpose flour: Works with butter to thicken the broth into a silky consistency.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Tender protein that’s easy to shred and soak up all the flavors.
- Garlic cloves: Kick the soup up with savory depth and a little bit of warmth.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs that infuses the soup with classic Mediterranean flavor.
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky note and enhances color.
- Fresh thyme leaves: Infuse the broth with a fresh, herbal brightness.
- Chili flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper: Give the dish just a touch of spice and balanced seasoning.
- Low sodium vegetable broth: The savory base that ties all ingredients together without overpowering.
- Chopped sun-dried tomatoes: Bring tangy sweetness and vibrant pops of color.
- Baby spinach: Adds fresh, mild greens that wilt perfectly into the soup.
- Heavy cream, canned coconut milk, or whole milk: Creates the signature creamy texture and richness.
- Grated parmesan: Boosts umami and adds a savory cheesy finish.
- Fresh potato gnocchi: Soft, pillowy bites that soak up all the delicious broth.
How to Make Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion first, letting it cook until it becomes fragrant and translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add carrots and celery, cooking for another 3 minutes to soften them without losing their slight crunch. This step lays the flavorful base for the soup, ensuring every bite has that subtle sweetness and savoriness from the veggies.
Step 2: Create the Roux and Add Chicken with Seasonings
Next, stir in salted butter and flour, cooking for about a minute to form a roux. This mixture will thicken the soup later, giving it that perfect creamy texture. Add the chicken pieces along with garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, fresh thyme, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together so the chicken is well coated with the herbs and spices. Pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth and bring the soup to a simmer. Allow it to cook gently for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks. This step helps disperse the protein evenly throughout the soup, making each spoonful satisfying and hearty. Return the shredded chicken back to the pot so it can mingle with the broth and veggies.
Step 4: Add Greens, Tomatoes, Cream, and Gnocchi
Stir in the baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, your choice of creamy milk or coconut milk, grated parmesan, and finally, fresh gnocchi. The spinach will wilt beautifully into the hot broth, and the sun-dried tomatoes add that irresistible tangy burst, while the cream and parmesan enrich the soup with lusciousness. Allow everything to cook together for about 5 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and the soup is heated through. If it feels too thick, simply add more vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Final Touches and Serve
Give the soup one last stir, adjusting salt or pepper if needed. Serve it steaming hot, topped generously with extra grated parmesan. This soup is absolute perfection when paired with some crunchy, crusty bread for dipping and soaking up all the creamy goodness.
How to Serve Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe
Garnishes
To make your bowl feel extra special, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil leaves for a bright herbal note and a splash of color. A light drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can add a subtle twist that excites the palate even more.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with a side salad featuring crisp greens, cucumbers, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the creamy texture. For a heartier meal, a warm garlic bread or toasted baguette on the side is unbeatable, offering crunch and a buttery companion to the smooth soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties or cozy weekend meals, serve the soup in rustic bowls with a sprinkle of parmesan right before serving, and include small bowls of chopped herbs, chili flakes, and extra cheese so everyone can customize their experience. You could even ladle the soup into mini bread bowls to impress your guests with a charming presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This soup keeps wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to preserve the fresh flavors and creamy texture. When reheating, gently warm it on the stove to prevent the dairy from separating.
Freezing
The Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe freezes nicely if you want to prep ahead. Just make sure to cool the soup completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Keep in mind that gnocchi can sometimes become softer after thawing, so you might want to cook the gnocchi fresh next time for best texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftover soup gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. You can add a splash of broth or milk if the soup thickens too much. Avoid high heat to keep the creamy broth smooth and prevent curdling. This way, you’ll get that comforting fresh-from-the-pot taste every time.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat in this soup?
Absolutely! While chicken is classic here, turkey or even cooked sausage can add a delicious twist. Just make sure to adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure the meat is cooked through and tender.
Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute heavy cream or milk with canned coconut milk as suggested in the recipe. Coconut milk gives a lovely creamy texture and subtle richness without any dairy, keeping the soup just as indulgent.
What can I do if I can’t find fresh gnocchi?
No worries! Frozen gnocchi work well too and are often more available. Just add them directly to the simmering soup and cook according to package instructions until they float and become tender.
Can I add more vegetables to this soup?
Definitely! Feel free to toss in chopped zucchini, peas, or mushrooms to amp up the nutrition and flavor variety. Just add any veggies earlier in the cooking process so they have time to soften and meld with the broth.
How spicy is this soup?
This Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe has just a mild hint of heat from the chili flakes, which enhances the flavors without overpowering. You can always adjust the amount of chili flakes or omit them completely based on your spice preference.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe has quickly become one of my all-time favorites for good reason—it’s comforting, packed with fresh flavors, and surprisingly easy to pull together. Whether it’s a chilly weeknight or a weekend gathering, this soup invites you to slow down and enjoy a bowl full of heartwarming deliciousness. Give it a try, and I promise it will become a staple in your recipe rotation just like it has in mine!
Print
Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for any season. Packed with tender shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, flavorful herbs, and soft potato gnocchi, all simmered in a rich and creamy broth made with your choice of coconut milk, heavy cream, or whole milk. This soup is easy to prepare and perfect served warm with a crusty piece of bread.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 6 carrots, chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 2–4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- 4–6 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Proteins & Dairy
- 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 1/2 cups canned coconut milk, heavy cream, or whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Pantry & Spices
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
- 1 pinch chili flakes
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 4–6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 pound fresh potato gnocchi
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large soup pot set over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook for about 5 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add the chopped carrots and celery and cook for an additional 3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Create the roux & add chicken and seasonings: Stir in the salted butter and all-purpose flour and cook the mixture for 1 minute to form a roux, which will thicken the soup. Then add the chicken breasts or thighs along with chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, fresh thyme leaves, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together so the chicken is well coated with the spices.
- Simmer the soup: Pour in 4 cups of low sodium vegetable broth and bring the soup to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for approximately 20 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
- Shred chicken: Remove the chicken from the soup and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the soup pot to combine with the broth and vegetables.
- Add greens, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, parmesan, and gnocchi: Stir in the baby spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, your choice of coconut milk, heavy cream, or whole milk, and grated parmesan cheese. Finally, add the fresh potato gnocchi and cook for about 5 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and the soup is heated through. If the soup becomes too thick, add extra vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra parmesan if desired. Serve warm, ideally with a crusty piece of bread for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for richer flavor and juiciness.
- Choose your preferred milk based on dietary needs or taste—coconut milk for a dairy-free option, heavy cream for richness, or whole milk for a lighter version.
- Adjust the amount of vegetable broth to control the soup’s consistency.
- Fresh gnocchi cooks quickly, so keep an eye to avoid overcooking.
- For added heat, increase chili flakes to taste.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
