Want to warm up your evening with a bowl of comfort? Chicken Gnocchi Soup has a special place in my heart, reminding me of cozy family dinners. Each simmering pot fills the kitchen with the delightful aromas that take me back to shared meals and laughter. It’s the kind of soup that makes you feel at home, no matter how busy life gets.
This creamy, hearty soup combines tender gnocchi, rotisserie chicken, and fresh spinach in a silky broth. It’s perfect for chilly nights and easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Plus, it gives you that satisfying feeling you crave when you need something comforting. Get ready to dive into this delicious recipe!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and Creamy Texture: The combination of heavy cream and chicken broth creates a luxurious base that coats every bite.
- Quick to Prepare: With only about 30 minutes of cooking time, you can have a delightful meal ready in no time.
- Versatile Ingredients: Use leftover rotisserie chicken and fresh vegetables to make it even easier and tastier.
- Comfort Food Favorite: This soup brings warmth and satisfaction, making it perfect for chilly days or when you need a hug in a bowl.
- Family-Friendly Recipe: Kids love gnocchi, and this soup is a fun way for them to enjoy their veggies!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Butter – 4 tablespoons. Adds rich flavor and helps to sauté the vegetables.
- Yellow onion – 1 small, diced. Provides a sweet, savory base for the soup.
- Celery – 1 cup, sliced. Adds a crunchy texture and fresh taste.
- Carrots – 1 cup, matchstick. Contributes sweetness and color to the dish.
- Garlic – 6 cloves, minced. Infuses the soup with a wonderful aroma and depth of flavor.
- Italian seasoning – 2 teaspoons. Offers a blend of herbs for that classic Italian flavor.
- Rubbed sage – ½ teaspoon. Enhances the earthiness of the soup.
- All-purpose flour – ¼ cup. Thickens the soup and gives it a creamy consistency.
- Chicken broth – 4 cups. Forms the base of the soup, adding savory richness.
- Heavy cream – 1 ½ cups. Makes the soup luxuriously rich and smooth.
- Potato gnocchi – 1 pound. Soft and pillowy, gnocchi is the star of the dish.
- Rotisserie chicken – 2 cups, shredded. Adds protein and makes preparation quick and easy.
- Fresh spinach – 1 ½ cups, chopped. Brightens the soup with freshness and nutrition.
- Balsamic vinegar – 1 teaspoon. Adds a hint of tang for balance.
- Kosher salt – To taste. Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.
- Fresh cracked pepper – To taste. Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Heat 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced celery, and matchstick carrots. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender.
Step 2: Add Seasonings
Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, rubbed sage, and additional salt and pepper to the pot. Cook for another minute, stirring frequently until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 3: Create the Base
Sprinkle in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook for another minute, stirring often. Deglaze the pan with ¼ to ½ cup of chicken broth to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
Step 4: Combine the Liquids
Stir in the remaining chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a simmer. This will create the creamy base for your soup.
Step 5: Cook the Gnocchi
Add the potato gnocchi and shredded rotisserie chicken to the pot. Gently simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until the gnocchi is cooked through and tender.
Step 6: Add Fresh Spinach
Stir in the chopped spinach and balsamic vinegar. Cook until the spinach wilts, adding color and nutrition to the soup.
Step 7: Final Seasoning
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Your delightful Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is ready to serve. Enjoy!
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
✓ Fresh Ingredients – Always use fresh vegetables for the best flavor. Fresh spinach and garlic make a significant difference in the taste of the soup.
✓ Cooking Gnocchi – Be careful not to overcook the gnocchi. They should be tender but not mushy, which usually takes just a few minutes after adding them to the soup.
✓ Use Leftover Chicken – Rotisserie chicken saves time, but you can use any cooked chicken. Just shred or chop it and toss it in.
✓ Adjust Thickness – If you prefer a thicker soup, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce. Alternatively, add a bit more flour mixed with broth to thicken it up.
✓ Flavor Enhancements – For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of olive oil when serving. This will elevate the taste profile even more.
What Makes This Recipe Work
- The blend of heavy cream and chicken broth creates a rich and creamy base that complements the soft gnocchi, making each bite satisfying.
- The sautéed vegetables add layers of texture and flavor, ensuring that the soup is not just creamy but also vibrant and refreshing.
- Each ingredient contributes to a balanced taste, from the earthy sage to the fresh spinach, creating a dish that feels wholesome and comforting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Yes, you can swap gnocchi for pasta if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time according to the pasta you use. You can also replace spinach with kale or other greens.
Once you add the gnocchi, gently simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. You want the gnocchi to be cooked through but still maintain their shape.
Absolutely! You can prepare the soup in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently on the stove, and add a bit of broth or cream if it thickens too much.
If your soup is too thick, it may need more broth or cream added. You can also thin it by adding water or additional chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
This soup pairs nicely with crusty bread, a side salad, or a fresh caprese dish. It makes for a complete and delightful meal experience.
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 1 small Yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup Celery, sliced
- 1 cup Carrots, matchstick
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon Rubbed sage
- 0.25 cup All-purpose flour
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream
- 1 pound Potato gnocchi
- 2 cups Rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1.5 cups Fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Balsamic vinegar
- to taste Kosher salt
- to taste Fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Heat 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced celery, and matchstick carrots. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender.
- Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, rubbed sage, and additional salt and pepper to the pot. Cook for another minute, stirring frequently until the garlic is fragrant.
- Sprinkle in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook for another minute, stirring often. Deglaze the pan with ¼ to ½ cup of chicken broth to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Stir in the remaining chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a simmer to create the creamy base for your soup.
- Add the potato gnocchi and shredded rotisserie chicken to the pot. Gently simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until the gnocchi is cooked through and tender.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and balsamic vinegar. Cook until the spinach wilts, adding color and nutrition to the soup.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Your delightful Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Adjust thickness by simmering longer or adding more flour mixed with broth.
- Consider adding red pepper flakes or a drizzle of olive oil when serving for extra flavor.
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