This chicken and gnocchi soup is a creamy soup made on the stove with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a rich, creamy broth. It's the kind of soup recipe that works well on busy weeknights when you want something warm and filling without a lot of prep.
Using potato gnocchi from the grocery store keeps things simple, and the soup cooks in one large pot over medium heat. The result is a creamy chicken gnocchi soup with soft gnocchi and fresh veggies that reheats well the next day.
Why This Recipe Works
- Made in one large Dutch oven or large pot
- Uses cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken to save time
- Gnocchi cooks quickly and turns pillowy in the broth
- Creamy without a raw flour flavor
- A great option for chilly days and family dinners
What You'll Need
- butter
- all purpose flour
- celery, chopped
- white onion, diced
- minced garlic
- shredded carrots
- chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- dried thyme
- ground nutmeg
- cooked chicken, diced
- potato gnocchi
- 2 cups half and half
How to Make Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
- Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the celery and onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and carrots and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour flavor and to create the roux.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring as you go, and bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
- Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and nutmeg.
- Add the cooked chicken and potato gnocchi and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until the gnocchi is tender and floating.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half and half.
- Add the spinach and cook just until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Helpful Tips
- Rotisserie chicken adds flavor and keeps prep quick
- Keep the soup at low heat after adding dairy to avoid curdling
- Gnocchi continues to soften as it sits, especially by the next day
- Add a splash of chicken broth when reheating if needed
- This soup pairs well with crusty bread for dipping
Serving Suggestions
This creamy soup is filling on its own, but it also works well with bread or biscuits on the side, like buttermilk drop biscuits. It's a kind of soup the whole family enjoys, especially on a chilly day.
If you're looking for another filling soup for busy nights, Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup is another easy option to keep in rotation.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, and add a little extra broth or cream if needed. This soup is best enjoyed fresh but still makes great leftovers the next day.
Freezing is not recommended, as the soft gnocchi and creamy broth can change texture.
More Recipes to Try
Looking for more easy dinner ideas? Browse the main course recipes on PopularRecipes.
📖 Recipe
Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 rib celery - chopped
- ½ white onion - diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic - minced
- ½ cup carrots - shredded
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper - to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup cooked chicken - diced
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 cup fresh spinach - roughly chopped
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the celery and onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour flavor.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring as you go, and bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
- Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and nutmeg.
- Add the cooked chicken and potato gnocchi and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until the gnocchi is tender and floating.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half and half.
- Add the spinach and cook just until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- Keep the soup at low heat after adding the dairy to prevent curdling.
- Add additional broth when reheating if the soup thickens.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Popular Recipes
Dana is the lead recipe developer and photographer for PopularRecipes.com. With her 10+ years of experience creating, testing, and photographing recipes, she has become an artist in developing wholesome, family-friendly meals that are a hit with both kids and parents.
Dianne says
So much better than Olive Garden and it’s more filling too.