Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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This Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a warm, hearty and comforting meal perfect for chilly days or anytime you crave a hot, homemade meal.

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Ingredients in Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
What is Gnocchi?
Using Homemade Gnocchi
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Variations to Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Tips for Making Gnocchi Soup
How to Store Leftover Gnocchi Soup
Frequently Asked Questions
More Creamy Soup Recipes
How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

This Chicken Gnocchi Soup is the ultimate comfort food! The Italian-inspired soup has tender pieces of chicken, delicate potato gnocchi dumplings and plenty of veggies, herbs and a creamy broth. I love serving this on a chilly fall or winter evening when it’s dark outside and we just need something warm and nourishing. When you share a pot of this savory soup with your family it provides comfort and warmth that few meals can provide. Serve alongside some crusty bread or rolls for a super satisfying supper.

Ingredients in Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

This soup is easy to prepare and serves a crowd. Simple ingredients blend together to make a savory, warm soup that everyone will love. Here’s what you need:

Olive oil – two tablespoons, extra virgin olive oil. You can use a couple of tablespoons of unsalted butter if you prefer.
Onion – one medium yellow onion, diced
Carrots – three large carrots, peeled and diced. You can also use a handful of baby carrots, diced into bite-sized pieces.
Celery – two celery ribs, diced
Garlic – three whole cloves of garlic, minced.
Flour – about a quarter cup of all purpose flour. You can also use cornstarch for a thickening agent.
Chicken stock or broth – four cups, regular or low sodium chicken broth
Boneless skinless chicken breasts – one and a half pounds, cut into 1-inch cubes. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Thyme – two teaspoons fresh or dried.
Kosher salt – one teaspoon, plus more to taste
Black pepper – half a teaspoon, plus more to taste
Red pepper flakes – just a quarter teaspoon, or more to taste. A little goes a long way so start out with a pinch and adjust for your family’s tastes.
Gnocchi – 16 ounces of frozen gnocchi, or you can make homemade gnocchi with our simple recipe.
Chopped spinach – about a cup of baby spinach leaves chopped
Half and half – one cup and a little more to taste. You can use heavy cream and evaporated milk too.

carrots, celery, and onion sautéing in a pan

What is Gnocchi?

Gnocchi (pronounced nyoh-kee) is a traditional type of pasta that originated in northern Italy where the climate is cooler and more favorable for growing potatoes than grain. Potatoes are cooked and shredded, then kneaded into the dough to make the pasta. Some people describe gnocchi as a dumpling because of its shape and texture. They’re often used in soups and dishes as an alternative to pasta. Gnocchi are boiled and served with sauce, pan fried for a crispy texture or used in soups like this Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be found in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.

A bowl of chicken gnocchi soup with a spoon taking a bite

Using Homemade Gnocchi

A few years ago, we traveled to Italy as guests of The Greatest Tomatoes from Europe and ANICAV, the largest association in the world representing tomato processing companies. One of the highlights of our trip was learning to make homemade gnocchi and Neapolitan pizza. This gnocchi is by far the best we have ever tasted. What surprised us the most was how easy it was to make once we understood the ingredients, the tools needed, and the techniques. Try this delicious recipe for homemade potato gnocchi and elevate this soup to a whole other level.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This is one of our favorite Olive Garden Copycat Recipes. You can take this soup and make it very similar to the restaurant’s popular dish with just a few extra ingredients. Pay attention to the seasoning. The Olive Garden version tends to be well-seasoned with a blend of Italian herbs and spices. Try adding garlic powder, onion powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and basil. Finish the soup by topping a bowl with fresh parmesan cheese

Variations to Chicken Gnocchi Soup

There are all sorts of ways to switch up the ingredients to this gnocchi soup, depending on your family’s needs and tastes. Try some of these alternatives:

Add crumbled Italian sausage or chicken sausage
Leave the meat out altogether to create a vegetarian version of gnocchi soup.
Add Parmigianino Reggiano or freshly grated parmesan cheese on top.
Try a different pasta like tortellini in place of the gnocchi.
For a low-carb option, you can find cauliflower gnocchi in the grocery store.

Tips for Making Gnocchi Soup

Use a large Dutch oven on the stovetop to heat olive oil or butter. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook until the veggies are just tender.
When you whisk in the garlic, cook for just about a minute or until the garlic is fragrant. Garlic can burn easily so this is a crucial step.
Add flour and stir to coat the vegetables. This acts as a thickening agent for the soup base.
Slowly add chicken broth while stirring the veggies. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a low simmer.
Add chicken, fresh herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Cook gnocchi for the amount of time listed on the package. The one we used was 3 minutes.
Add spinach and half and half. Cook until the spinach wilts slightly. If the soup is on the thicker side, add a little more half and half. If the soup is too thin, simmer uncovered until it reaches the desired consistency.

How to Store Leftover Gnocchi Soup

This soup stays fresh in the fridge for about three to five days. You can freeze leftovers too. For quality storage, cover tightly or use an airtight freezer container. It’ll stay nice and fresh for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then heat on the stovetop until the soup is heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you cook gnocchi before adding to the soup?

Nope, there’s no need! Just add the uncooked gnocchi right into the soup and it’ll cook up perfectly tender in the creamy broth.

What is gnocchi made of?

Traditional gnocchi dough is usually made from flour, eggs and potatoes. However different types can have added cheese, vegetables and herbs.

How do you keep gnocchi from getting soggy in soup?

Add the gnocchi right at the end of the soup-making process to keep them from becoming mushy or soggy. They don’t take long to cook and will continue to absorb the broth as it sits in the soup.

More Creamy Soup Recipes

Creamy soups are the best! Rich and comforting, full of flavor and always easy to make. Try some of our very favorite cream based soups. Don’t forget the crackers on the side!