30 Minute Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Comfort meets convenience, flavor dances with simplicity, and dinner arrives faster than you'd expect with this chicken gnocchi soup. You'll transform basic ingredients into a creamy, soul-warming meal that'll have your family asking for seconds. With pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and store-bought gnocchi, you're minutes away from a restaurant-quality dish that feels like a culinary shortcut without sacrificing taste. Curious how a 30-minute recipe can deliver such depth of flavor?

Recipe Highlights

• Quick and easy soup featuring soft potato gnocchi, tender rotisserie chicken, and fresh spinach in a creamy broth that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.
• Start by boiling chicken broth, then gently add pre-cooked gnocchi and cook until they float, ensuring a delicate texture and optimal cooking method.
• Incorporate shredded rotisserie chicken and heavy cream into the simmering broth, stirring continuously to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, rich consistency.
• Add fresh spinach at the end of cooking, allowing it to wilt naturally and provide a vibrant color and nutritional boost to the soup.
• Enhance flavor by seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional herbs like thyme or rosemary, creating a comforting and satisfying one-pot meal perfect for quick dinners.

History

Gnocchi, those delightful potato dumplings, have a rich culinary heritage tracing back to Northern Italy. You'll discover that these small, pillowy nuggets originated as a peasant food, crafted from simple ingredients like potatoes, flour, and sometimes eggs. Their name likely derives from the Italian word "nocchio," meaning a knot in wood, reflecting their distinctive shape.

As you explore gnocchi's journey, you'll learn they spread throughout Italy during the Renaissance, with each region developing its unique variation.

Roman cookbooks from the 14th century first documented potato-based gnocchi, though earlier versions used breadcrumbs or chestnut flour. Northern regions like Lombardy and Friuli perfected the potato technique, transforming these humble dumplings into a beloved national dish that now graces tables worldwide.

Recipe

Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a comforting one-pot meal that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious dining experience. This recipe offers a quick and satisfying solution for those craving a hearty soup that feels both homemade and effortless.

The secret to this soup's success lies in its balance of textures and flavors, combining soft potato gnocchi, tender chicken, and vibrant spinach in a creamy broth that warms you from the inside out. By using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and store-bought gnocchi, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound potato gnocchi
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste

Begin by bringing the chicken broth to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Carefully add the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes, watching for them to float to the surface, which indicates they're perfectly cooked.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently stir in the shredded chicken, ensuring even distribution throughout the broth.

Pour in the heavy cream and allow the soup to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent any sticking or scorching.

In the final stages of cooking, add the fresh spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the leaves are wilted but still retain their bright green color.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed.

When preparing this soup, remember that gnocchi can quickly become mushy if overcooked, so watch them carefully during the boiling stage.

If the soup becomes too thick upon standing, you can thin it out by adding a little extra chicken broth when reheating.

For the best flavor and texture, serve immediately and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by carefully boiling the chicken broth to create the perfect base for your soup, gently adding the gnocchi and watching for them to float to the surface.

Next, stir in the tender shredded chicken, then pour in the rich heavy cream, allowing the flavors to meld together during a gentle simmer.

Finally, add fresh spinach and let it wilt, transforming your soup into a creamy, comforting dish that'll warm you from the inside out.

Step 1. Boil Chicken Broth Carefully

When preparing your chicken gnocchi soup, carefully bringing the broth to a precise boil is crucial for developing optimal flavor and texture.

Start by selecting a large, heavy-bottomed pot that'll distribute heat evenly. Set your burner to medium-high and watch the liquid closely; you're aiming for small, consistent bubbles around the edges, not a violent, rolling boil that could damage delicate ingredients.

• Use fresh, high-quality chicken broth
• Monitor temperature with a careful eye
• Listen for subtle sound changes
• Look for gentle, uniform bubble formation

Stirring occasionally helps prevent scorching and ensures even heating.

When tiny bubbles appear consistently across the surface, you've reached the perfect boiling point for adding your gnocchi.

Step 2. Add Gnocchi Carefully

After carefully bringing your chicken broth to a gentle boil, you'll want to add the gnocchi with precision and care.

Gently slide the potato dumplings into the simmering liquid, ensuring they're not clumped together. Watch closely as they cook, typically 3-4 minutes, until they begin to float to the surface—this signals they're perfectly done.

Keep your wooden spoon ready to stir occasionally, preventing sticking and ensuring even cooking. The key is maintaining a steady medium heat, which allows the gnocchi to cook through without becoming tough or disintegrating.

As they rise, they'll signal their readiness with a gentle bobbing motion. Remove from heat promptly to preserve their delicate texture, avoiding any potential mushiness that can ruin the soup's delightful consistency.

Step 3. Stir in Shredded Chicken

Gently lower the shredded rotisserie chicken into the simmering broth and gnocchi, distributing the tender meat evenly throughout the soup.

You'll want to use about 2 cups of pre-shredded chicken, ensuring each spoonful has a balanced protein-to-gnocchi ratio. Stir carefully with a wooden spoon, allowing the chicken to heat through and absorb the rich, creamy broth's flavors.

• Use rotisserie chicken for maximum convenience
• Break larger chicken pieces into bite-sized chunks
• Ensure chicken is heated to at least 165°F
• Distribute chicken uniformly for consistent flavor

The key is maintaining a gentle simmer, which prevents overcooking and keeps the chicken moist.

Your goal is to integrate the meat seamlessly, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes in this comforting soup.

Step 4. Pour in Heavy Cream

Every creamy soup deserves its luxurious moment, and now you'll transform this chicken gnocchi soup with a rich pour of heavy cream.

Start by reducing the heat to a gentle simmer, allowing the broth and chicken to create a warm foundation for the cream's arrival. Slowly stream the heavy cream into the pot, stirring continuously to prevent any potential curdling or separation.

• Pour cream in a steady, controlled stream
• Stir constantly while adding
• Aim for even distribution

The cream will instantly soften the soup's appearance, creating a silky, pale landscape that signals remarkable depth of flavor.

Watch for subtle thickening as the cream integrates, which typically occurs within 3-5 minutes of simmering. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the cream's richness.

Step 5. Add Wilted Spinach

Add two generous handfuls of fresh spinach leaves to the simmering chicken gnocchi soup, allowing them to delicately wilt and infuse the creamy broth with vibrant green color and subtle earthy flavor.

Watch as the leaves quickly soften and turn a deeper emerald green, transforming the soup's visual appeal and nutritional profile. Stir gently with a wooden spoon, ensuring even distribution throughout the pot.

The spinach will release its moisture, creating delicate tendrils that curl and blend seamlessly into the creamy base. Aim to cook the spinach for just 2-3 minutes—any longer risks overcooking and losing its bright, fresh character.

Remove from heat once the leaves are tender but still maintain a slight structural integrity, preserving their delicate texture and rich, nutritious essence.

Final Thoughts

While this homemade chicken gnocchi soup might seem simple, it's a testament to how a few quality ingredients can transform an ordinary meal into something truly memorable.

You'll find that this recipe offers incredible versatility, allowing you to customize ingredients based on your pantry's contents. Consider experimenting with different herbs like thyme or rosemary to elevate the flavor profile.

The soup's creamy texture and hearty components make it ideal for meal prep, providing comforting lunches throughout the week. Remember that gnocchi's delicate nature requires gentle handling, so avoid aggressive stirring that could break down these pillowy potato dumplings.

Whether you're cooking for family or seeking a quick weeknight dinner, this chicken gnocchi soup delivers warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful.