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Cold winter nights call for something warm, creamy, and easy enough for a weeknight. This soup has tender chicken, plenty of vegetables, pillowy potato gnocchi, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan all simmered together in one cozy pot.
The broth is rich without feeling overly heavy, with Italian herbs, garlic, and a little paprika bringing plenty of flavor. Add crusty bread for dipping and you’ve got the kind of simple December dinner everyone can get excited about.
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When it snows all week in December it’s hard not to crave the most comforting foods. For me, that means roasted vegetables, chicken and rice, slow-simmered short ribs, and soup. Lots of soup. My favorite is probably a good broccoli cheddar, but chicken gnocchi soup is high on my list.
I made my very first gnocchi soup recipe two years ago around this time. I’ve made it multiple times since, we love the recipe! It’s a very creamy, white Italian-style gnocchi soup.
So today, I’m sharing a very creamy red version with chicken for protein. This has similar flavors to a really great sun-dried tomato chicken pasta, but in soup!
It’s full of yumminess!
Here are the steps:
In a dutch oven or large pot, start out by cooking up that onion, then add the veggies, chicken, herbs, and spices. Cooking the spices before adding in the liquid will help to intensify the flavors.
Once that’s all cooked up, stir in a pat of butter and some flour. I wanted to create a creamy soup, and the butter-flour roux helped to achieve that. In the end, you get a gnocchi soup that’s incredibly creamy. It’s fit for some of the coldest nights of the year.
Next, stir in a little chicken broth and simmer everything together to allow the chicken to cook and the flavors to mend together.
At this point, simply finish the soup with a splash of creamy milk and parmesan cheese. Then add the gnocchi and simmer for a few minutes until the gnocchi is soft.
Easy, EASY. Indulgent, but just right for this time of year, and so delicious.
As with most soups, I always recommend serving with a side of crusty bread for dipping into that creamy broth. Then add a nice side salad for color and you’ll have the perfect easy dinner.
If you’re planning to enjoy this soup leftover, be sure to first remove the gnocchi from the broth before placing in the refrigerator. That way the gnocchi won’t soak up all the broth. Then just add the gnocchi back in before serving.
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. The recipe already allows either boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Thighs will give the soup a slightly richer flavor and especially tender texture.
How do I know when the gnocchi is done?
The gnocchi should be soft and tender when you bite into one. Avoid simmering it much longer once it reaches that point, since it can become overly soft and continue absorbing broth.
Why did my chicken gnocchi soup get so thick?
The flour and potato gnocchi both help thicken the broth, and the gnocchi can absorb more liquid as the soup sits. Stir in some of the additional broth allowed in the recipe until the consistency is creamy but still spoonable.
What’s the best way to store leftover gnocchi soup?
If you know you’ll have leftovers, remove and store the gnocchi separately from the broth when practical so it doesn’t soak up too much liquid. Reheat the soup gently, add broth if it has thickened, then return the gnocchi before serving.
Looking for other easy winter night dinners?? Here are my favorites:
Cozy Wild Rice and Orzo Chicken Soup
Creamy French Onion and Mushroom Soup
Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup with Salty Lime Chips
One Pot Chicken and Sage Dumplings
Lastly, if you make this Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 6 carrots, chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2-4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (see note)
- 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- 1 pinch chili flakes
- 1 pinch each kosher salt and black pepper
- 4-6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 4-6 cups baby spinach
- 1 1/2 cups canned coconut milk, heavy cream, or whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 pound fresh potato gnocchi
Instructions
- 1. In a large soup pot set over medium heat, combine the olive oil and onion. Cook 5 minutes, until fragrant. Add the carrots and celery. Cook another 3 minutes.2. Stir in the butter and flour, cook 1 minute. Add the chicken, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, thyme, and a pinch each of chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat in spices. Add 4 cups broth. Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. 3. Pull the chicken out and shred using 2 forks. Add back to the soup. 4. Stir in the spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cream/milk, parmesan, and gnocchi. Cook until warmed throughout, about 5 minutes. If the soup is too thick, add additional broth. 5. Serve the soup topped with parmesan. Enjoy warm, preferably with a crusty piece of bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
So creamy, delicious, and filling! There’s nothing better than a warm soup on a cold day. My hubby was feeling under the weather and this was easy enough on his stomach to help him get on the mend. 10/10 love this soup!
Thanks so much Marlee! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you giving it a try! xT
Made this last night for dinner and it was super yummy!! Whole family loved it. Will definitely make again! Make extra!! Had some leftover for dinner tonight and it was even better!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hey Rhonda,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
Delightful soup with lots of flavor! The herbs along with coconut milk melded together so well. And what a great way to enjoy gnocchi! So warming on a subzero cold Colorado day. And pretty simple
Hey Courtney,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
This has to be one of my favourite recipes by you! So tasty on a cold winter day!
Thanks so much!! So glad you have been enjoying this recipe! xT
Creamy, dreamy and delicious is how I would sum up this soup! Especially on a cold night like today.
Hey Ania,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
Just made this gnocchi soup tonight and it’s delicious!!!!
Hey Christine,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
SO much flavor and SO good!
Hey Sam,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
Literally foolproof like most of Tieghan’s recipes. I loved this so much. It’s definitely going in the regular recipe rotation. Subbed coconut flour and milk for GF / DF and it was 10/10. ❤️
Hey Danielle,
Happy Holidays!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
What a great recipe! Made this today and it was so easy and delicious. Will definitely be adding this to my soup rotation!
Hey Julianna,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
So good! Everyone loved it!
Hey Regan,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
I made it with coconut milk and it was rich and flavorful- the perfect winter soup!
Hey there,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
I gave this a try tonight as it’s -30deg Celsius up in here in Canada. This cold weather calls for comfort bowl food. Super easy & delicious. We all loved the flavor. We added in a dash of chili- garlic oil. Took it up a notch & added some mild heat. Thanks for the recipe.
Haha I made it tonight in Saskatchewan because it is currently -34 degrees! Brrrrr
Wow, that is freezing! xx
Hey Ila,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
This soup excellent AS IS, would not change a thing. Comfort food at its Best.
Hey Lynette,
Happy Wednesday!!❄️ So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xT
I just made this tonight. Totally doable on a busy weeknight. I subbed spinach & cheese tortellini for the gnocchi but otherwise made as written. This was fantastic, it came together quick and I’m SO excited for leftovers tomorrow! Your recipes never disappoint!
Hey Emily,
Happy Wednesday!!❄️ So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xT
I made this with broccoli because I didn’t have celery, and I omitted the sundried tomato since I didn’t have any of that either. This turned out perfectly! So hearty and delicious. I also used frozen spinach. Very good, and will absolutely be making it again!
Hey Jordan,
Happy Wednesday!!❄️ So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xT