Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

If you've ever dreamed of a soup so creamy it could make a cloud jealous, you're in for a treat with chicken gnocchi soup. You'll love how quickly this Italian-inspired comfort dish comes together, transforming simple ingredients into a velvety masterpiece. Imagine tender potato dumplings swimming in a rich broth, paired with succulent chicken – a meal that'll warm you from the inside out. Want to know the secret to making this restaurant-quality soup at home? Keep scrolling.

Recipe Highlights

• This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is a modern Italian-American dish combining soft potato dumplings, tender chicken, and a rich, silky broth.
• The recipe requires careful heat management when adding cream to prevent curdling, with simmering just below boiling point for optimal texture.
• Key ingredients include chicken broth, heavy cream, pre-cooked gnocchi, shredded chicken breast, and fresh spinach for a nutritious and flavorful meal.
• Cooking steps involve boiling broth, adding gnocchi, incorporating cream slowly, mixing in shredded chicken, and wilting spinach within a single pot.
• This one-pot soup offers versatility in ingredients, allowing substitutions like turkey or tofu, and can be prepared quickly for a comforting dining experience.

History

Although gnocchi's origins trace back centuries, the creamy chicken gnocchi soup we know today is a modern Italian-American culinary creation.

You'll find this dish represents a delicious fusion of traditional Italian potato dumplings and American comfort food techniques. Gnocchi itself dates back to Roman times, where soldiers and travelers carried dense, portable dough made from various grains and starches.

When Italian immigrants arrived in America, they adapted their traditional recipes to local ingredients, transforming humble potato dumplings into a rich, creamy soup. The version you're familiar with emerged in the late 20th century, popularized by Italian-American restaurants seeking to blend nostalgic flavors with contemporary dining preferences.

These chefs reimagined classic gnocchi, turning it from a simple side dish into a hearty, main-course soup that celebrates culinary innovation.

Recipe

Creamy chicken gnocchi soup is a comforting dish that combines the soft, pillowy texture of potato dumplings with tender chicken in a rich, velvety broth. This simple yet satisfying recipe brings together classic Italian flavors in a meal that can be prepared quickly and enjoyed by the whole family.

The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity, using just a few key ingredients to create a hearty and creamy dish that feels like a warm hug on a cold day. With the right technique, you can transform these basic components into a restaurant-worthy meal that's both delicious and nutritious.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound potato gnocchi
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup fresh spinach

Begin by bringing the chicken broth to a gentle simmer in a large pot over medium heat. Add the gnocchi and cook for approximately 3 minutes, watching for them to float to the surface, which indicates they're perfectly cooked.

Reduce the heat to low and carefully stir in the heavy cream and shredded chicken, allowing the ingredients to meld together.

Let the soup simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. In the final two minutes of cooking, add the fresh spinach, which will quickly wilt and incorporate into the soup, adding a touch of color and nutritional value.

The result should be a creamy, smooth soup with tender gnocchi and chicken throughout.

When preparing this soup, remember that cream-based soups require gentle handling to prevent curdling. Always keep the heat low after adding cream, and avoid boiling the soup.

If the soup becomes too thick upon reheating, thin it out with a little additional chicken broth. For the best texture, serve immediately, and if storing leftovers, be prepared for the gnocchi to absorb more liquid and become slightly softer over time.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by carefully boiling the chicken broth to create the perfect base for your soup, ensuring it simmers at a gentle, steady temperature.

Next, add your cooked gnocchi to the broth, watching them float to the surface as a sign they're ready, and then gently stir in the cream to maintain its silky texture.

Finish by incorporating the shredded chicken and wilted spinach, transforming your simple ingredients into a comforting, creamy soup that'll warm you from the inside out.

Step 1. Boil Chicken Broth Carefully

When preparing your chicken gnocchi soup, start by carefully bringing the chicken broth to a precise medium-high heat, watching for gentle, consistent bubbling that signals the perfect simmering point.

The key is maintaining a steady temperature that won't scorch your broth or overcook your delicate ingredients.

You'll want to:

• Keep the heat moderate
• Stir occasionally
• Look for small, consistent bubbles
• Avoid rapid, aggressive boiling

Monitor your pot closely, using visual cues like steam and bubble formation. A perfect simmer means your broth is hot enough to cook gnocchi efficiently but not so aggressive that it breaks down the delicate potato dumplings.

Step 2. Add Cooked Gnocchi

Gently nestle your pillowy potato gnocchi into the simmering chicken broth, watching them transform from pale dumplings to tender, floating delights. Your gnocchi will signal readiness by rising to the surface, typically within 3 minutes, indicating they're perfectly cooked and light as clouds.

• Cook at medium heat
• Stir occasionally to prevent sticking
• Look for floating gnocchi as doneness indicator

Use a slotted spoon to transfer gnocchi, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the soup. Each gnocchi should absorb the rich chicken broth's flavor while maintaining its delicate texture.

Reduce heat to low, preparing for the next steps of adding cream and chicken, which will create a luxurious, velvety base for your soup.

Maintain gentle heat to preserve the gnocchi's tender structure.

Step 3. Stir in Cream Gently

After your gnocchi have bobbed cheerfully to the surface, lower the heat and prepare to transform the soup's character with rich, velvety cream.

Carefully pour the heavy cream into the pot, using slow, deliberate motions to prevent splashing. Gently stir the cream using a wooden spoon, ensuring it integrates smoothly without scorching or separating.

Key cream integration tips:

• Reduce heat to lowest setting
• Stir continuously and slowly
• Maintain a temperature just below simmering
• Watch for subtle thickening and golden color

Let the cream meld with the broth for 3-5 minutes, creating a luxurious base that coats the gnocchi and chicken.

Your goal is a silky, uniform texture that speaks of comfort and culinary finesse. Avoid rapid stirring or high heat, which can cause unwanted curdling.

Step 4. Add Shredded Chicken

Because shredded chicken is the protein backbone of this comforting soup, you'll want to ensure it's prepared perfectly before adding it to your creamy gnocchi base.

When selecting chicken, opt for tender breast meat or rotisserie chicken, which shreds easily and adds rich flavor. You'll want about 2 cups of meat, roughly the equivalent of one large chicken breast or half a store-bought rotisserie chicken.

• Shred chicken using two forks, pulling meat apart into bite-sized pieces
• Aim for consistent, small fragments that'll distribute evenly in the soup
• Remove any excess fat or skin before shredding

The goal is tender, uniform chicken pieces that'll complement the pillowy gnocchi and absorb the soup's creamy broth perfectly.

Step 5. Add Wilted Spinach

Once your shredded chicken has been perfectly distributed through the creamy broth, you'll turn your attention to adding fresh spinach, which will brighten the soup's flavor and nutritional profile.

Gently add 1 cup of fresh spinach leaves directly into the simmering soup, using a wooden spoon to slowly stir and incorporate the greens.

Watch as the spinach quickly wilts, transforming from its vibrant raw state to a soft, tender texture that seamlessly blends into the soup. The leaves will lose their structure within 2 minutes, releasing a subtle earthy flavor that complements the rich cream and chicken.

Your goal is a delicate wilting—not overcooking—which preserves the spinach's bright green color and nutritional integrity.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting to explore comfort food recipes, this creamy chicken gnocchi soup represents a delightful culinary adventure that's both simple and satisfying.

You'll find this recipe strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and ease, transforming basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal. The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability; you can easily swap ingredients like chicken or spinach to suit your preferences.

Remember to monitor your heat carefully when adding cream, and don't rush the simmering process. Your attention to technique will ensure a silky, cohesive soup that'll impress family and friends.

With minimal preparation and straightforward cooking steps, you'll create a comforting meal that feels both indulgent and nourishing.