Description
Perfect Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup delivers Italian comfort with rich, hearty flavors from Tuscan kitchens. Pillowy potato gnocchi and tender chicken swim in a luxurious cream broth that welcomes diners to savor each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1 lb (454 g) potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, creating a flavorful base by softening diced onions and celery for 5 minutes.
- Aromatic Layering: Introduce minced garlic and sprinkle flour, whisking continuously to develop a smooth roux without lumps.
- Liquid Symphony: Pour chicken broth and half-and-half into the pot, stirring consistently while adding dried thyme and parsley to infuse herbal notes.
- Protein and Vegetable Integration: Incorporate shredded carrots, precooked chicken, and potato gnocchi, allowing ingredients to meld and simmer until gnocchi float to the surface.
- Final Touches: Gently fold fresh spinach into the creamy mixture, letting it wilt naturally. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste.
- Serving Elegance: Ladle the vibrant soup into bowls and optionally garnish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of richness.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk flour continuously and add liquids slowly to ensure a smooth, velvety texture without unwanted flour clumps.
- Gnocchi Cooking Timing: Add gnocchi near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain their delicate, soft texture.
- Vegetable Softening Technique: Sauté onions and celery until translucent to release maximum flavor and create a robust base for the soup.
- Dietary Adaptations: Substitute half-and-half with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream for lactose-intolerant diets, and use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg