Name: Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup with Spinach
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil; 1 large yellow onion diced (about 1.5 cups); 2 large carrots diced (about 1.5 cups); 2 ribs celery plus leaves if available, diced (about 1.5 cups); 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh; 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh; 2 cloves garlic minced; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups chicken stock/broth preferably low-sodium; 16 oz. potato gnocchi store-bought or homemade; 2 cups cooked shredded or chopped chicken such as rotisserie or leftover roast chicken; 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach (about 5 oz.); 1 cup half and half or whole milk, or heavy cream; 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 3 oz.); kosher salt and black pepper to taste

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Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup with Spinach is the perfect comfort food, bringing together tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and vibrant spinach in an indulgently creamy broth. This soup is rich yet light, making it ideal for any day of the week. The delightful combination of flavors and textures creates a dish that’s not only satisfying but also nourishing—a cozy hug in a bowl. When the weather turns chilly or you need a quick weeknight meal that everyone will love, this recipe will quickly become your go-to.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup with Spinach
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup with Spinach

Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup with Spinach

I first stumbled upon this creamy delight while searching for something warm and filling to whip up on a blustery evening. I was amazed by how easy it was to prepare, and it quickly became a family favorite. The satisfaction of a wholesome soup that takes hardly any time to prepare means there’s more time to relax with loved ones. If you’re looking for a hearty and delicious meal that will impress without requiring a gourmet chef’s skills, look no further.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Whip this up in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Irresistible Flavor: The marriage of creamy broth, savory chicken, and tender gnocchi is mouthwatering.
Eye-Catching Appeal: With vibrant spinach and fluffy gnocchi, this dish is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for a cozy dinner at home or to impress guests at a gathering.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily customize for gluten-free or dairy-free diets with simple ingredient swaps.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 tablespoons butter or olive oil: Use either for a rich flavor; butter provides a creamier base while olive oil adds a light touch.
1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1.5 cups): Adds sweetness and depth to your soup; yellow onions are best for this recipe.
2 large carrots, diced (about 1.5 cups): They provide sweetness and vibrant color; feel free to substitute with parsnips for a unique twist.
2 ribs celery plus leaves if available, diced (about 1.5 cups): Celery adds a fresh crunch and balances the sweetness. Don’t discard the leaves; they add great flavor!
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh: Herbaceous notes that make it feel truly Italian; fresh thyme will brighten the flavor even more if you have it.
1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh: Offers that classic Italian taste; fresh will give you a bolder flavor in your soup.
2 cloves garlic, minced: This aromatic ingredient adds that irresistible savory aroma and taste.
1/4 cup all-purpose flour: Acts as a thickener for your soup; for a gluten-free option, use cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.
4 cups chicken stock/broth, preferably low-sodium: Provides the base of flavor; low-sodium allows you to control the saltiness.
16 oz. potato gnocchi, store-bought or homemade: These little pillows of goodness cook quickly and soak up the delightful broth.
2 cups cooked shredded or chopped chicken: Perfect for using up leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken from the store.
2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach (about 5 oz.): Adds nutrition and a fresh element, counterbalancing the creaminess.
1 cup half and half or whole milk, or heavy cream: For that lush, creamy texture; heavy cream results in a richer soup, while half and half is lighter.
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 oz.): The finishing touch that enriches the soup with a salty, savory kick.
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste: Essential seasonings to bring all the flavors together; adjust according to your preference.

How to Make Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup with Spinach

Sauté the Vegetables: In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 2 diced large carrots, and 2 diced celery ribs. Stir to coat in the butter and sauté until they soften and begin to brown, about 5 minutes. This step builds a flavorful base for your soup.
Add Aromatics: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, around 15–30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter.
Thicken the Soup: Sprinkle in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, stirring to coat the vegetables. Cook for about 1 minute, making sure everything is well combined. This creates a roux, which gives your soup a luscious body.
Pour in Broth: Gradually add 4 cups of low-sodium chicken stock, stirring continuously to dissolve the flour and scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom. Allow it to come to a gentle boil.
Cook the Gnocchi: Toss in 16 oz. of potato gnocchi and simmer uncovered for about 3 minutes, until they begin to float. This indicates they are cooked perfectly.
Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in 2 cups of shredded chicken, 2 cups of roughly chopped fresh spinach, 1 cup of half and half, and 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Heat on low while stirring frequently until the spinach is wilted and the cheese has melted, around 3 minutes.
Season and Serve: Taste your creamy chicken & gnocchi soup and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper as desired. Ladle into bowls and enjoy while it’s warm!

Storing & Reheating

Ensure leftover soup is cool before storing it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. You may notice the texture changes slightly when reheating, so add a splash of chicken broth or water to refresh it.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid browning the garlic; keep an eye on it while sautéing as it cooks quickly.
Stir the soup gently when adding ingredients to maintain the gnocchi’s delicate texture.
For a thicker soup, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes for excess moisture to evaporate.
Use fresh herbs if you have them on hand; they provide a more vibrant flavor that dried herbs can’t compete with.
If you’re making this ahead of time, consider adding the gnocchi just before serving to keep them from getting mushy.

Savor all the flavors packed into this creamy chicken & gnocchi soup with spinach. Not only is it a breeze to prepare, but it also brings the warmth of Italian comfort food to your table. Feel free to explore different ingredient swaps and make it your own. Enjoy every spoonful of this cozy treat!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen gnocchi in this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen gnocchi will cook just as well as fresh. Just add them straight to the broth without thawing first and follow the same cooking time.

Is there a dairy-free option for this soup?

Certainly! You can replace half and half with a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk or almond milk. Just keep in mind that the flavor may change slightly, but it will still be delicious.

How can I add more vegetables to this dish?

Feel free to toss in any veggies you have on hand! Peas, corn, or even chopped zucchini would work beautifully, adding color and nutrition.

Can I make the soup ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this soup in advance! Just prepare everything up to adding the gnocchi, then refrigerate. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply reheat and add the gnocchi in the last stages of cooking.

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Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup with Spinach

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Main Dishes
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

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Description

Enjoy this Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup with Spinach, a comforting blend of tender gnocchi, shredded chicken, and fresh spinach, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
1 large yellow onion diced (about 1.5 cups)
2 large carrots diced (about 1.5 cups)
2 ribs celery plus leaves if available, diced (about 1.5 cups)
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh
1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken stock/broth preferably low-sodium
16 oz. potato gnocchi store-bought or homemade
2 cups cooked shredded or chopped chicken such as rotisserie or leftover roast chicken
2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach (about 5 oz.)
1 cup half and half or whole milk, or heavy cream
1 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 3 oz.)
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Melt the butter or olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat.
Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, thyme, and oregano. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and browned, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 15-30 seconds.
Stir in the flour to coat the vegetables and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Pour in the chicken stock and stir to dissolve the flour, bringing it to a gentle boil.
Add the gnocchi and simmer uncovered for about 3 minutes, until they start floating to the top.
Stir in the shredded chicken, chopped spinach, half and half, and grated parmesan. Heat until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts, about 3 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.