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Whenever I whip up this Olive Garden-style chicken and gnocchi soup, the whole house instantly smells fantastic. You'll get juicy chicken, fluffy gnocchi, some fresh veggies, and a creamy broth that really hits the spot. Honestly, it's our top pick when we want something warm and homey—especially when it gets cold outside.
Irresistible Chicken Gnocchi
The coolest thing about making this? It's super fast but seems like you cooked it forever. That soft gnocchi and all those chicken bites are so good. I like to serve it with a hunk of bread for dinner or just pack it up for lunch—there are never any leftovers because everyone always wants another serving.
Grocery Grab List
- 2 cups baby spinach: Tossed in at the end for freshness and color.
- 1 pound potato gnocchi: Grab a package—super convenient.
- 2 cups cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken saves you a bunch of time.
- 2 cups shredded carrots: Cut into matchsticks so they cook quicker.
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg: Just a tiny bit brings cozy flavor.
- 1 teaspoon each: Use dried thyme and parsley to bump up the taste.
- 4 cups low sodium chicken stock: Lets you add salt your way.
- 2 cups half and half: Adds that rich creamy finish.
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour: Gets your soup nice and thick.
- 4 garlic cloves: Chop 'em up for extra flavor.
- 3 celery stalks: Dice and toss in for crunch.
- 1 big white onion: Mince it for sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Helps cook up veggies perfectly.
- 4 tablespoons butter: Either salted or not—your call.
Simple Steps to Make It
- Finish It Off
- Add your dried thyme, a pinch of nutmeg, parsley, plus some salt and pepper. Stir, taste, and ladle it into bowls. Sprinkle on some fresh herbs if you want to get fancy.
- Toss in the Good Stuff
- Now drop in the chicken, carrots, gnocchi, and spinach. Let everything bubble away around 10 minutes, until the gnocchi puffs up and floats.
- Build Your Broth
- Pour in your chicken stock and half and half. Bring it up to a light boil, then turn it down to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes so it thickens up.
- Make the Roux
- Sprinkle flour over the cooked veggies. Keep stirring for a minute or two—it gets rid of the raw taste and helps thicken the soup.
- Start Sautéing
- In a big soup pot, melt your butter and add oil. Toss in the onions and celery. Cook them 3 to 4 minutes until they smell great and are friendly and soft.
Crockpot Friendly Version
Fan of the slow cooker? Just sauté your veggies first, then move everything (except the gnocchi and spinach) to the Crockpot. Let it go low for about 4 hours. In the last hour, stir in your gnocchi and spinach. If it seems thin at the end, just whisk in a little cornstarch mixed with water to thicken it up.
Leftover Love
Store extra soup in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When heating up, do it on low so the creamy part stays smooth. You can freeze it for a couple months too—just thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it gently when you want more.
What Folks Are Saying
Don always tells me it fills him up like a complete meal. Erin can't help adding a bunch of grated parmesan on top. Krystal even swapped in turkey she had left from Thanksgiving and said it tasted awesome. Messing with the ingredients a bit makes every pot a little different.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What does cooking flour do?
Mixing flour with butter thickens your soup and keeps the texture smooth. It also eliminates the raw flour flavor when cooked briefly.
- → Is heavy cream okay to use?
You can swap for heavy cream, but it’ll make the soup much richer. To match the consistency, you could dilute it with milk.
- → Why cut vegetables small?
Small veggie cuts cook faster and blend into the soup better, keeping the focus on the gnocchi and chicken.
- → What if I only have dried spinach?
Dried spinach works, but fresh spinach gives better color, texture, and flavor. Dried often turns mushy and dull.
- → How much salt is enough?
The salt amount depends on the chicken broth you’re using. Start small and adjust once it’s cooked to suit your taste.
Conclusion
This rich and creamy chicken gnocchi soup is a quick and comforting meal perfect for any occasion. It blends tender chicken with soft dumplings and a medley of veggies in a flavorful, velvety broth. Ready in 35 minutes, it’s an easy-to-make family favorite for weeknights or special moments.