Brothy, creamy, vegetarian or a meaty stew; we love it all. Today’s soup is one of our favorites. We’ve played with variations of this recipe over the years, but keep coming back to this exact creamy chicken gnocchi soup recipe time and time again. Eat it on its own, or pair it with a side of biscuits or dinner rolls for a truly satisfying meal.
Chicken gnocchi soup is the epitome of comfort food. It’s a dish that brings together the heartiness of chicken, the comfort of gnocchi, and the nourishment of fresh vegetables. The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity and the ability to bring a warm, homemade meal to your family’s dinner table with ease. The combination of tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and a creamy broth, flavored with herbs like thyme and oregano, creates a harmonious blend that is both satisfying and nutritious. It’s a versatile dish that can be adapted to different tastes and dietary needs, making it a perfect choice for a wholesome family meal.
30 Minute Chicken Gnocchi Soup is creamy, hearty, and so savory on a cold day. It is a family favorite dinner that comes together in just under 30 minutes.
Ingredient Breakdown and Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts: Lean and healthy, but boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used for a richer flavor. For a quicker option, you can also use shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Gnocchi: Pillowy and comforting, store-bought saves time, but homemade can be used.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness; substitute with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Spinach: Fresh for a bright color and taste, but frozen (thawed and drained) works in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gnocchi is typically located in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores. You may find it either in dry, vacuum-packed forms or as a refrigerated product near fresh pastas and sauces.
There are several types of store-bought gnocchi, including traditional potato gnocchi, whole wheat for a healthier option, and gluten-free made from alternative flours. Some stores also carry flavored varieties, like spinach or pumpkin gnocchi.
Yes, frozen gnocchi is a suitable alternative. There’s no need to thaw it before cooking; you can add it directly to the soup, just be aware it might extend the cooking time slightly.
Absolutely! If you have the time and inclination, homemade gnocchi can elevate the dish. Just follow your favorite gnocchi recipe.
A cornstarch slurry, a bit more gnocchi, or even a mashed potato can help thicken the soup without altering the flavor too much.
Yes, this soup can be made in advance. Just reheat it on the stove or in a microwave, adding a bit of broth if it has thickened too much in the fridge.
Variations
There are quite a few variations you can play with in this recipe. You can try this recipe with either gnocchi or tortellini. They are both delicious! You could even replace the chicken with a hot (or mild) Italian sausage, and add more or less veggies to suit your own personal taste preferences.
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
Store any leftovers of this soup in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cream based soups do not always freeze well. You can do it, and it should stay good for a few months, but expect the consistency to be a bit different due to the separating that will occur. Allow to thaw completely in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat by the bowlful in the microwave in 30 second increments until warmed through, approximately 90 seconds-2 minutes. If you want to reheat a large amount at once, it is faster to reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat in a saucepan until warmed through.
More Delicious Soup Recipes
Watch the video below where we will walk you through every step of the recipe with a video demonstration.
My family loved this! I forgot to put the thyme and oregano in it too! I used the whole bag of spinach because we love spinach. So comforting and delicious! Will make again and again throughout the cold months. LOVE your recipes!! They never disappoint.
Can we get the nutrition posted for this? It looks like it’s missing for this recipe.
This is the best soup and one we make often! It is so full of flavor and comfort. We swap the gnocchi out for three cheese tortellini and it is out of this world! Such a great recipe for fall and winter.
I made this tonight. Slightly too much thyme for me. Speaking of time (see what I did there?), this is more like 45 minutes from start to finish if you include the initial dicing of veggies. May try again swapping some cream of chicken for broth to see if tastes more like the version from that famous OG Italian restaurant chain.
This recipe is absolutely amazing!! I doubled the amount of gnocchi, because my family loves them. I put everything, except for the spinach, gnocchi and cream in the crockpot and cooked it on low for 7 hours. After that, I added the rest of the ingredients and cooked it an additional hour. It was perfect!! Thank you Rachel for another awesome recipe!! I shared the recipe with my daughter and sister. They were big fans as well!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
did you sear the chicken before adding it to the crockpot?
Thanks for this post…was just wondering if I could adapt to the crock pot!
Tried this on the family last nigh and they loved it. Quick and easy to make – a keeper for me!!
Will cook this dish next week
Looks yummy. Thank you.