Cozy Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Your New Weeknight Favorite!)

Hello cozy food lovers! There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup to soothe your soul, especially when the weather turns chilly. It’s truly the kind of meal that wraps you in a hug—rich, hearty, and bursting with savory flavor. With tender pieces of chicken, delightful pillowy potato gnocchi, and a luxuriously velvety cream broth, this easy chicken gnocchi soup is comfort food at its absolute finest. Forget the restaurant version; making this at home is simple and incredibly rewarding!

This recipe has quickly become a staple in my kitchen for busy weeknights, and I just know you’ll love how achievable and delicious it is. Let’s dive into making this one-pot soup wonder!

❤️ Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Incredibly Quick & Easy: Ready from start to bowl in just about 30 minutes, making it a lifesaver on hectic evenings.
• Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: Uses pantry-friendly staples you likely have on hand, proving delicious doesn’t have to mean complicated or expensive.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: The combination of creamy broth, tender chicken, and soft gnocchi is the definition of cozy comfort in a bowl.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal dishes mean easier cleanup – hooray for that!
• Highly Customizable: Easily adapt the protein, vegetables, or creaminess to suit your preferences or dietary needs.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to gather to make this amazing creamy chicken gnocchi soup. You’ll notice these are simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Using low-sodium chicken broth allows you to better control the final saltiness of your soup.

Quantity	Unit	Ingredient	Notes (Optional)
2	tbsp	Unsalted butter
1	small	Yellow onion	Diced
2	cloves	Garlic	Minced
1	medium	Carrot	Diced
2	stalks	Celery	Chopped
3	cups	Chicken broth	Low-sodium recommended
2	cups	Cooked chicken	Shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
1	cup	Heavy cream	Or half-and-half for a lighter soup
1	cup	Milk	Any kind
1	lb	Potato gnocchi	Store-bought or homemade
1	cup	Fresh spinach	Roughly chopped
1	tsp	Italian seasoning
		Salt	To taste
		Black pepper	Freshly ground, to taste

Gathering your ingredients (mise en place!) before you start cooking makes the process even quicker and smoother.

🧑‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Making this comforting soup is incredibly straightforward. Here’s how to bring it all together in just minutes:

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and chopped celery. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, which should take about 5-7 minutes. This step builds the base flavor!
2. Simmer with Broth & Chicken: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the shredded cooked chicken. Season the soup with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
3. Add Creamy Goodness: Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and milk. Allow the soup to heat through gently, but do not bring it to a rolling boil after adding the cream. Stir periodically.
4. Cook the Gnocchi: Add the potato gnocchi directly to the pot. Cook according to the package instructions – store-bought gnocchi usually only take 3-5 minutes to cook and will float to the surface when they are ready. Stir gently so the gnocchi don’t stick together.
5. Finish with Spinach: Stir the chopped fresh spinach into the soup. Simmer for just a minute or two more, or until the spinach is wilted.
6. Taste and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. For an extra touch of deliciousness, top with grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy warm!

💡 Expert Tips for Success

Want to make sure your Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is absolutely perfect every time? Keep these pointers in mind:

• Don’t Overcook Gnocchi: Gnocchi cook very quickly! As soon as they float to the top, they are usually done. Overcooking can make them mushy.
• Control the Creaminess: For a richer soup, stick with heavy cream. For a slightly lighter texture, half-and-half works well. You could even use evaporated milk for a touch of sweetness and creamy body.
• Boost the Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, corn, or peas when you add the spinach.
• Rotisserie Chicken is Your Friend: Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that keeps this recipe incredibly fast and adds great flavor.
• Gentle Simmer After Cream: Once the cream is added, keep the soup at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil to prevent the cream from separating.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is wonderfully filling on its own, but here are a few ideas to make it even more special:

• Serve with crusty bread or warm dinner rolls for dipping.
• A side salad with a light vinaigrette makes a nice contrast.
• Top with fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme.
• Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat.

🥡 Storage and Freezing Instructions

This soup makes for wonderful leftovers! Here’s how to handle them:

Storing: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The gnocchi may absorb more liquid as it sits, but the soup is still delicious.

Reheat: Gently reheat leftovers on the stove over low to medium heat. You may need to add a splash of extra chicken broth or milk/cream to thin it out slightly if it has thickened considerably.

Freezing: For best results when freezing, I recommend freezing the soup *before* adding the heavy cream and gnocchi. Thaw the soup base overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stove, bring to a simmer, stir in the cream and milk, and finally add and cook the gnocchi and spinach just before serving. You *can* freeze the finished soup, but the texture of the gnocchi and the cream might change slightly upon thawing and reheating.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Can I make this soup dairy-free?

Yes, with some substitutions! Use olive oil or a plant-based butter substitute instead of butter. Swap the milk and heavy cream for full-fat canned coconut milk or a good quality dairy-free creamer designed for cooking. Ensure your gnocchi is also dairy-free if needed.

Can I use different protein?

Absolutely! Leftover cooked turkey is a fantastic substitute for chicken, especially after holidays. You could also cook some Italian sausage or ground chicken/turkey separately and add it in, or even add cooked shrimp towards the very end.

What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?

You can create a similar blend using individual dried herbs you likely have on hand: combine 1/4 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, and 1/4 tsp dried rosemary. A pinch of dried marjoram is also a nice addition if you have it.

Can I add different vegetables?

Definitely! This soup is very flexible. Try adding sautéed mushrooms with the aromatics, or stir in frozen peas, chopped bell peppers, or diced zucchini along with the spinach.

📖 More Recipes You Might Like

If you enjoyed this cozy Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup, you might also love these other comforting and easy recipes from My Kitchen:

• Ultimate Cheesy Baked Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa (Easy Comfort Food!)
• Smoky Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder (Easy & Creamy!)
• Easy Slow Cooker Italian Chicken (Seriously Simple!)

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup truly is the definition of comfort in a bowl. It’s proof that you can have a delicious, hearty, and incredibly satisfying meal on the table quickly, even on your busiest nights. The combination of flavors and textures is just perfect for warming up from the inside out. I hope this soup becomes a favorite in your home too!