Description
This creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a comforting and hearty dish made with tender shredded chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a flavorful blend of herbs simmered in a rich broth enriched with half-and-half. Perfect for cozy dinners, this soup combines wholesome vegetables with savory Parmesan cheese for a satisfying and creamy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 pound gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Sauté onions: Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Cook vegetables: Add the diced carrots and celery to the pot, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly tender.
- Add liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and half-and-half, stirring to combine evenly.
- Season the soup: Add dried thyme, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes, mixing well to distribute the flavors.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a simmer over medium heat, cooking for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
- Add chicken: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken to warm through and combine with the soup base.
- Cook gnocchi: Carefully drop the gnocchi into the soup and cook according to package instructions, typically 2-3 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the top indicating they are done.
- Add spinach: Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Incorporate cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and blended into the soup.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the soup and add more salt, black pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes as desired to enhance the flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the soup hot into bowls, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for added richness.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience or leftover cooked chicken.
- Gnocchi can be store-bought or homemade; cooking times may vary slightly.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute half-and-half with coconut milk or cashew cream, and use dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- The soup thickens as it cools; reheat gently adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen if needed.
