Name: Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 yellow onion, chopped; 6 carrots, chopped; 4 celery stalks, chopped; 2-4 cloves garlic, chopped; 4-6 cups baby spinach; 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes; 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs; 1 1/2 cups canned coconut milk, heavy cream, or whole milk; 1/2 cup grated parmesan; 2 tablespoons salted butter; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika; 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried); 1 pinch chili flakes; 1 pinch kosher salt; 1 pinch black pepper; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 4-6 cups low sodium vegetable broth; 1 pound fresh potato gnocchi

If you’re looking for that cozy, comforting meal that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, you have to try my Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe. This soup is packed with tender chicken, silky gnocchi, vibrant veggies, and a luscious creamy broth that will make your taste buds sing. I absolutely love how it comes together so quickly, yet tastes like you spent hours simmering it to perfection. Stick with me, and I promise you’ll be adding this to your weeknight lineup in no time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: You’ll have this hearty soup ready in under an hour, perfect for busy nights.
Rich, Creamy Texture: The creamy broth paired with soft gnocchi makes for a luxuriously smooth bite every time.
Flexible Ingredients: Feel free to swap proteins or veggies to suit your pantry and preferences.
Fam-Friendly Flavor: My family goes crazy for this one, and I bet yours will too.

A bowl of creamy soup with small round potato pieces in light yellow color floating in an orange-tinted broth. The soup is garnished with chopped green herbs scattered on top and a single fresh basil leaf placed near the center. The surface of the soup has some melted cheese and small dark brown spots, hinting at spices or seasoning. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl is white with a speckled texture sitting on a brown cloth over a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup, hearty chicken gnocchi soup, easy comfort food recipes, quick and creamy soup, cozy weeknight dinners

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe plays an important role in building layers of flavor and comforting textures. When you shop, I recommend choosing fresh veggies and good-quality chicken to really bring out the best results.

Flat lay of extra virgin olive oil in a small white bowl, one whole yellow onion, a pile of chopped fresh carrots, a few celery stalks chopped, two tablespoons of salted butter on a white ceramic plate, a precise mound of all-purpose flour in a small white bowl, two whole uncracked chicken breasts, several garlic cloves unpeeled, a small white bowl filled with mixed dried Italian seasoning herbs, a small white bowl with bright red paprika powder, fresh thyme sprigs, a pinch of red chili flakes on a white plate, coarse kosher salt and black peppercorns side by side on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl with clear vegetable broth, chopped deep red sun-dried tomatoes on a white plate, fresh vibrant baby spinach leaves, a small white bowl of creamy coconut milk, grated parmesan cheese heaped on a white plate, and a pile of soft fresh potato gnocchi, arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup, hearty chicken gnocchi soup, easy comfort food recipes, quick and creamy soup, cozy weeknight dinners

Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a fruity richness and helps sauté your veggies nicely.
Yellow onion: The base flavor; I like it chopped fairly small so it melts into the broth.
Carrots: Give sweetness and a great texture contrast.
Celery stalks: Provide a subtle aromatic bitterness that balances the creaminess.
Salted butter: For that silky hold on the flour to create a perfect roux.
All-purpose flour: Thickens your soup just enough to coat the gnocchi and veggies.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Thighs add more flavor but breasts work well too.
Garlic cloves: Freshly chopped, because, well, garlic is life.
Italian seasoning: Brings classic herbal notes that tie the soup together.
Paprika (or smoked paprika): Adds warmth and depth; smoked paprika gives a nice smoky twist.
Fresh thyme leaves (or dried): Offers a gentle earthiness that’s subtle but necessary.
Chili flakes: Just a pinch for a whisper of heat that brightens the broth.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Season thoughtfully to bring all flavors alive.
Low sodium vegetable broth: The base liquid; low sodium lets you control salt better.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Give bursts of umami and tanginess that lift the creaminess.
Baby spinach: Adds freshness and color right before serving.
Coconut milk, heavy cream, or whole milk: Choose based on your preference for richness and dietary needs.
Grated parmesan: Adds a salty finish and great depth.
Fresh potato gnocchi: The star carb, soft and pillowy, soaking up all that broth goodness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best parts about this Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often swap in ingredients depending on what I have on hand, and each version comes out wonderfully comforting.

Protein switch-up: Sometimes, I use leftover rotisserie chicken when I’m short on time—it works beautifully and saves time shredding from raw.
Dairy alternatives: For a dairy-free twist, coconut milk is a game-changer, giving the soup a subtle tropical creaminess without overpowering flavors.
Veggie add-ins: Mushrooms or kale are great swapped in for spinach if you want an earthier or heartier green.
Spice it up: Play with paprika levels or add a splash of hot sauce if you enjoy a little heat.

How to Make Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Base Ingredients

Start by heating olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add your chopped onions, cooking them until they become fragrant and translucent—about 5 minutes. Then toss in the carrots and celery and continue cooking for another 3 minutes. This combination builds your soup’s flavor foundation, so don’t rush this step. Keep stirring occasionally to avoid anything sticking or browning too quickly.

Step 2: Make Your Roux and Add Chicken

Lower the heat a tad and stir in the butter, letting it melt completely. Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and butter, stirring constantly for about a minute to cook out the raw flour taste—this is your roux, the secret to a creamy yet slightly thickened broth. Next, add the chicken pieces along with garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, thyme, and a pinch of chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss everything to ensure the chicken is well coated with those flavorful spices.

Step 3: Simmer and Shred the Chicken

Pour in about 4 cups of vegetable broth, stirring gently. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes over medium heat, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. This step is crucial because cooking the chicken in the broth infuses the whole soup with flavor. Once done, carefully remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. When shredded, return it to the pot.

Step 4: Finish with Gnocchi and Greens

Stir in your baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, your choice of creamy liquid (coconut milk, heavy cream, or whole milk), grated parmesan, and fresh potato gnocchi. Let everything cook together gently for about 5 minutes—this warms the soup through and cooks the gnocchi to pillowy perfection. If the soup becomes too thick, simply add a splash more broth to reach your desired consistency.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle your soup into bowls, sprinkle extra parmesan on top if you like, and grab a crusty piece of bread to soak up every last drop. It’s one of those meals that invite you to slow down and savor cozy comfort—exactly what a Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe should be.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe

Perfectly Shredded Chicken: Use two forks to pull the chicken apart while it’s still warm for tender, easy-to-eat strands.
Don’t Rush the Roux: Cooking the flour in butter is key to creamy soup—stir for a full minute and watch the color change slightly.
Gnocchi Watch: Fresh gnocchi cooks quickly; keep an eye so it doesn’t turn mushy, about 5 minutes usually does it.
Balance Your Cream: If you want lighter soup, swap heavy cream for whole milk but do adjust seasoning as cream adds richness.

How to Serve Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe

A marbled white bowl filled with a creamy orange soup that has small chunks of potatoes and vegetables visible in the mixture. The soup surface is sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs and topped with a single fresh green herb leaf in the center. Melted cheese pieces spread across the soup add a slightly melted texture with some browned spots. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, and the bowl is placed on a textured brown cloth with crisp crackers nearby, all set against a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup, hearty chicken gnocchi soup, easy comfort food recipes, quick and creamy soup, cozy weeknight dinners

Garnishes

I love topping my soup with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a few torn basil leaves when I want a pop of freshness. Sometimes, a drizzle of good-quality olive oil or even a pinch of extra chili flakes on top gives a lovely finishing touch, especially if you enjoy a little heat.

Side Dishes

You’ll find that crusty bread or garlic toast pairs exceptionally well with this soup—perfect for dipping into that creamy broth. Roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple crisp green salad balance the meal if you’re feeling like adding more veggies.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I like to serve this soup in rustic bread bowls for that extra cozy “wow” factor. Another fun idea is to garnish each bowl with tiny edible flowers or chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley for a bright contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cream gnocchi chicken soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before refrigerating, I prefer to cool it at room temperature for about 20 minutes, which helps keep the texture of the gnocchi intact.

Freezing

Because the gnocchi can get mushy after freezing, I usually freeze the soup without the gnocchi and spinach. Freeze in portions and add the gnocchi fresh when reheating. The soup broth and chicken freeze beautifully and hold flavor well.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring frequently until warmed through. If your soup thickened up too much in the fridge, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up. Add fresh gnocchi and spinach near the end to keep their texture fresh and vibrant.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought frozen gnocchi for this soup?

Yes! Frozen gnocchi works just fine—just add it a bit longer in step 4 to ensure they cook through. Keep an eye on texture so they don’t get too soft.
What can I substitute for the cream in the recipe?

You can use full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option or whole milk for a lighter soup. Heavy cream gives the richest result, but any will work depending on your preference.
Can I make this soup vegan?

Yes! Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. Swap parmesan for a plant-based cheese or nutritional yeast, and use coconut milk for creaminess. Add extra veggies or tofu for protein.
How can I thicken the soup if it’s too thin?

If you find your soup a bit thin, mix a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with cold water and stir it in while simmering, cooking until it thickens. Just add gradually to avoid over-thickening.

Final Thoughts

I used to struggle with finding soups that were quick but still felt special and filling—that’s why this Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen. It’s comforting, versatile, and downright delicious every single time. If you want a recipe that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day, give this one a try. Trust me, you’ll be making it again and again, just like we do in my family.