Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a comforting, hearty soup that’s easy to make at home. Each bowl is filled with chicken, gnocchi, and a creamy broth that makes this a satisfying meal on its own.
At a Glance: Loaded with chicken and gnocchi • Serves 6 • Uses ready-made gnocchi • Perfect for lunch or dinner.
Creamy gnocchi soup with chicken
Years ago, I went to lunch at a popular Italian restaurant chain. I usually ordered the salad and breadsticks, but this time I was craving soup, so I ordered the gnocchi soup. When it arrived, there was one lonely gnocchi in the entire bowl, and just a few small pieces of chicken. To say I was disappointed would be quite an understatement.
One of the great things about making this soup at home is that I can make certain every bowl is filled with plenty of gnocchi, tender chicken, and a rich, creamy broth. No one leaves the table wondering where the good stuff went.
This soup has become a favorite at our house, especially on cold winter evenings. It’s hearty, comforting, and comes together easily, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. No need to head out to a restaurant to get this delicious soup.
Key ingredients
- Gnocchi - Use shelf-stable gnocchi. It's often found in the grocery store near the dried pasta.
- Chicken - Use 1-2 chicken breasts. This varies depending on the size of your chicken breasts. If you want this to be a more economical meal, use just one.
- Chicken Stock - Use your favorite stock or broth.
- Veggies - Carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and fresh baby spinach.
- Heavy Cream - Makes this soup creamy. If you prefer a lighter soup, use half-and-half or whole milk. The soup will be thinner, but still delicious.
- Dried Thyme - For flavor
- Cornstarch - For thickening the soup
Making gnocchi soup with chicken
- Saute onion, carrots, and celery together until the onions begin to soften.
- Clear a spot in the center of the pan and add garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add chicken broth, chicken breasts, and thyme.
- Bring to a simmer and cook until chicken is fully cooked through, 10-12 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the pan.
- Mix cornstarch and water together to make a smooth mixture. Stir into the soup.
- Add cream and gnocchi.
- Bring back to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes until the gnocchi are soft.
- Shred the chicken into small pieces using two forks.
- Stir chicken back into the soup.
- Stir in the chopped spinach.
- Cook for an additional minute until the spinach is wilted.
- Serve hot.
To make the soup lighter
If you make the recipe as listed, it uses heavy cream. If you prefer a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. You can substitute part or all.
If using all whole milk, increase the cornstarch to two tablespoons mixed with enough water to make it smooth.
Recipe tips
- The amount of salt will vary depending on your taste and the type of chicken stock you are using. Taste the soup before adding salt, and then add in small amounts.
- If the soup becomes too thick, stir in additional chicken stock, cream or milk.
- Don't overcook the gnocchi. The gnocchi will begin to fall apart, and the soup will become too starchy.
Frequently asked questions
This soup does not freeze well because of the cream in it.
Yes, you can prepare this soup up to a day ahead of time. For best results, don't add the gnocchi until you are reheating the soup. Reheat slowly over medium-low heat, stirring often so it won't burn. You may need to add extra stock or cream if the soup has become too thick.
Serving suggestions
- Homemade Breadsticks
- Dinner Rolls
- Pesto Garlic Bread
- Green Salad with Italian Dressing
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious soup recipes!
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ white or yellow onion (diced, about 1 cup)
- 2 carrots (peeled, diced, about 1 cup)
- 2 celery ribs (diced, about 1 cup)
- 2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1-2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 16 ounce package gnocchi
- 3 ounces baby spinach (coarsely chopped, about 3 cups)
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Saute the onions, carrots, and celery in a large soup pot with olive oil over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the onions begin to soften and become slightly translucent.2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ white or yellow onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery ribs
- Clear a spot in the center of the pan and add garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.2 teaspoons garlic
- Add chicken stock, chicken breast, and thyme. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches at least 165°F.4 cups chicken stock, 1-2 chicken breasts, ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Remove chicken from pot and allow it to cool enough to handle. Shred the chicken into small pieces.
- Mix cornstarch and water together to make a smooth slurry. Stir into the soup.1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water
- Add heavy cream and gnocchi. Bring back to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until the gnocchi are cooked.1 ½ cups heavy cream, 1 16 ounce package gnocchi
- Stir shredded chicken back into soup.
- Stir in chopped spinach. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach is wilted.3 ounces baby spinach
- Add salt and pepper.¼ - ½ teaspoon salt
- Serve hot.¼ teaspoon pepper
Notes
- Use one or two chicken breasts, depending on their size and how meaty you like your soup. Larger chicken breasts will provide plenty of chicken, while smaller ones may require two.
- The amount of salt will vary depending on your taste and the type of chicken stock you are using. Taste the soup before adding salt, and then add in small amounts.
- If the soup becomes too thick, stir in additional chicken stock or cream.
- Don't overcook the gnocchi. The gnocchi will begin to fall apart, and the soup will become too starchy.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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