Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Cozy Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Steaming bowls of comfort await with this hearty chicken gnocchi soup that captures the essence of home-cooked warmth.

Rich, creamy textures blend perfectly with tender potato dumplings swimming in a velvety broth.

Packed with savory chicken and vibrant vegetables, this soup delivers a delightful medley of flavors in every spoonful.

Chunks of juicy chicken and soft gnocchi create a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.

The recipe combines classic Italian inspiration with cozy kitchen traditions.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to provide maximum flavor and nutrition.

Let’s find out this soul-soothing soup that promises to become a new favorite at your dinner table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 576 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredient Breakdown

For Base and Aromatics:
  • Butter, Olive Oil: Creates rich, golden foundation for soup with deep, smooth flavor and prevents sticking.
  • Celery: Provides crisp texture and earthy undertone, choose fresh stalks with vibrant green color.
  • Garlic: Adds intense, zesty punch, select firm cloves without sprouting.
  • Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and bright color, opt for tender, bright orange shreds.
For Thickening and Liquid Components:
  • Flour: Helps create silky, smooth consistency without lumps.
  • Chicken Broth: Delivers robust, savory depth, select low-sodium for better control.
  • Milk, Heavy Cream: Generates creamy, luxurious texture, use fresh, high-quality dairy.
For Protein and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Chicken: Adds substantial protein and hearty substance, use tender, freshly cooked meat.
  • Gnocchi: Introduces soft, pillowy texture, choose vacuum-sealed or refrigerated for best quality.
  • Spinach: Provides vibrant green color and nutritional boost, drain frozen spinach thoroughly.
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Italian Seasoning: Elevates overall taste profile, use freshly ground spices for maximum flavor intensity.

Tools to Make Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

  • Large Pot: Essential for cooking the soup base and combining ingredients.
  • Cutting Board: Perfect for chopping vegetables like celery and carrots.
  • Sharp Knife: Helps prepare ingredients with precision.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing soup components.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Ladle: Convenient for serving the hot soup into bowls.

How to Cook Chicken Gnocchi Soup in Steps

  • Soup Base Foundation

Create a flavorful starting point by gently melting butter and warming olive oil in a large cooking pot. This initial step builds deep flavor layers for the entire dish.

  • Aromatic Vegetable Preparation

Introduce chopped celery to the warm pot, allowing it to soften and release its subtle essence. Quickly follow with minced garlic, letting its pungent notes infuse the mixture.

  • Seasoning and Thickening

Sprinkle in carrots and a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian herb mix. Dust the surface with a light coating of flour to create a silky, smooth texture.

  • Liquid Symphony

Pour chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream into the pot, stirring gently to create a creamy, unified base. The liquid will transform into a rich, velvety canvas for the remaining ingredients.

  • Protein and Greens

Add tender shredded chicken and vibrant spinach to the simmering liquid. Watch as the ingredients dance and meld together, creating a comforting and nutritious soup.

  • Gnocchi Finale

Drop soft potato gnocchi into the bubbling soup, allowing them to cook briefly until they float to the surface. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and serve immediately for maximum comfort and flavor.

Tips to Perfect Texture in Gnocchi Soup

  • Swap regular gnocchi for whole wheat or cauliflower versions to add extra nutrition and texture.
  • Use rotisserie chicken for instant protein and deeper flavor without extra cooking time.
  • Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne to give the soup a warm, gentle kick that transforms the mild flavor profile.
  • Replace milk and heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lighter, allergen-friendly alternative that maintains the soup's rich consistency.
  • Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or kale to boost nutritional value and create exciting new flavor combinations that keep the soup interesting.

Serving Ideas for Chicken Gnocchi Bowls

  • Cozy Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty soup with a crusty Italian bread or garlic toast to soak up the rich, creamy broth and add a delightful crunch to each spoonful.
  • Salad Sidekick: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy texture and provide a fresh, zesty contrast.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the soup's robust flavors with a glass of chardonnay or pinot grigio, which will enhance the creamy chicken and herb notes of the dish.
  • Comfort Bowl Topping: Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese or chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top to add an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.

Storage Tips for Soup Lovers

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store this delightful soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
  • Freezing Fresh Goodness: Carefully transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months, perfect for quick future meals.
  • Reheating Magic Trick: Gently warm soup on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick when reheating to maintain original creamy consistency.
  • Batch Preparation Wisdom: Double the recipe and portion into individual containers for convenient grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners during busy weekdays, saving time and reducing daily cooking stress.
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Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe


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4.9 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Chicken gnocchi soup delivers a comforting Italian-American classic with creamy, hearty perfection. Pillowy potato gnocchi, tender chicken, and rich broth promise a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz (454 g) gnocchi
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (from 2 legs and 2 thighs, cooked)
  • 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
  • 3 cups (720 ml) milk
  • 1½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
  • 8 oz (226 g) chopped frozen spinach
  • 1 cup (150 g) chopped celery (approximately 23 stalks)
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded carrots
  • 4 tbsps (60 g) butter
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
  • ¼ cup (30 g) flour
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsps onion powder

Instructions

  1. Sauté Base: Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, creating a rich foundation for the soup’s flavor profile.
  2. Vegetable Preparation: Add celery, cooking until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, stirring to release its aromatic essence and prevent burning.
  3. Seasoning Layer: Incorporate carrots, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning, creating a robust flavor base for the soup.
  4. Thickening Process: Dust flour over the vegetable mixture, constantly stirring to develop a smooth roux that will provide body to the soup.
  5. Liquid Integration: Slowly stream in chicken broth, whole milk, and heavy cream, whisking thoroughly to ensure a silky, uniform consistency.
  6. Final Assembly: Fold in frozen spinach and shredded chicken, then gently add gnocchi, simmering until the pasta becomes pillowy and everything is heated through.
  7. Finishing Touch: Taste and fine-tune seasonings, then ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, ready to warm and delight.

Notes

  • Optimize Vegetable Softening: Sauté celery and carrots until they’re translucent to develop deeper, richer flavor profiles without losing nutritional integrity.
  • Master Roux Technique: Whisk flour slowly and consistently to prevent clumping, ensuring a smooth, velvety soup texture without lumpy inconsistencies.
  • Choose Quality Gnocchi: Select fresh or vacuum-sealed gnocchi over dried varieties for maximum tenderness and authentic Italian-style texture.
  • Control Liquid Ratio: Balance chicken broth, milk, and cream carefully to achieve the ideal creamy consistency without becoming too thick or thin.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 576
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 724 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 21 g
  • Cholesterol: 118 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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