Gnocchi soup is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, hearty, and full of flavor. This version brings together tender potato gnocchi, juicy chicken, and fresh spinach in a rich, velvety broth that warms you from the inside out.
Whether you’re craving a bowl of something cozy on a chilly evening or want to impress with a simple one-pot meal, this gnocchi soup delivers. It’s fast, flexible, and made with ingredients you probably already have in your fridge or pantry.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One pot, ready in 30 minutes
- Uses store-bought gnocchi for convenience
- Creamy and satisfying without being too heavy
- Easy to adjust with leftover chicken or rotisserie meat
- Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- ½ white onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 3–4 cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi
- 2 cups half-and-half (or 1 cup half-and-half + 1 cup heavy cream)
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add celery, onion, garlic, and carrots. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until onions are translucent.
- Add cooked chicken, broth, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Stir in the gnocchi and cook for 3–4 minutes until they float.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add half-and-half and spinach. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve hot with fresh bread or parmesan on top.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Nutrition Facts (per serving, estimated)
Calories: 523
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 31g
Fiber: 4g
Sodium: 622mg
Tips & Variations
- For extra richness, swap 1 cup of half-and-half with heavy cream
- Try a dash of nutmeg for a warm background flavor
- Add sautéed mushrooms for more depth
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time
- To thicken, simmer uncovered a few minutes longer or stir in a spoonful of cream cheese
FAQs
Can I use shredded chicken?
Yes! Rotisserie or leftover shredded chicken works perfectly in this soup.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Sauté veggies first, then add all ingredients except gnocchi, spinach, and cream to the slow cooker. Cook on low 3–4 hours. Add gnocchi for the final hour. Stir in cream and spinach just before serving.
What type of gnocchi should I use?
Store-bought shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi both work great. No need to boil them separately.
How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat. Add a splash of broth or milk if it thickens too much.
Creamy Gnocchi Soup with Chicken and Spinach
Equipment
- – Large soup pot
- – Wooden spoon
- – Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- – 1 tablespoon olive oil
- – 1 stalk celery chopped
- – ½ white onion diced
- – 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- – ½ cup shredded carrots
- – 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and diced
- – 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- – Salt and pepper to taste
- – 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- – 16 oz potato gnocchi
- – 2 cups half-and-half or 1 cup half-and-half + 1 cup heavy cream
- – 1 cup fresh spinach chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté celery, onion, garlic, and carrots for 2–3 minutes.
- Add chicken, broth, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
- Stir in gnocchi. Cook for 3–4 minutes until gnocchi float.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in cream and spinach. Cook 1–2 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Taste and season as needed. Serve hot.
Notes
– Rotisserie chicken makes this even quicker
– Add sautéed mushrooms or fresh herbs if desired
Conclusion
This gnocchi soup is a weeknight wonder — cozy, creamy, and loaded with flavor. It’s easy to pull together, flexible with ingredients, and tastes like something from your favorite Italian restaurant.