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Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Creamy garlic chicken gnocchi soup with velvety cream broth, pillowy potato gnocchi, and tender shredded chicken. Built by simmering aromatics, cooking gnocchi until they float, then finishing with parmesan and nutmeg for a rich Italian-American bowl.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

Chicken breast
  • 1.5 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
Potato gnocchi
  • 16 oz potato gnocchi
Baby spinach
  • 3 cups baby spinach
Onion
  • 1 onion, diced
Garlic
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
Chicken broth
  • 4 cups chicken broth
Heavy cream
  • 2 cups heavy cream
Butter
  • 3 tbsp butter
Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup parmesan, grated
Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
Fresh basil
  • 0.25 cup Fresh basil and extra parmesan for serving Use extra parmesan and fresh basil for finishing; adjust to taste.
Salt and pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Cook aromatics
  1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 4 minutes, stirring until softened, then add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for 2 minutes.
Build the creamy broth
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, stirring to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the heavy cream until smooth and glossy.
Cook gnocchi
  1. Add the potato gnocchi to the simmering soup and cook for 3-4 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the gnocchi float and are cooked through.
Finish the soup
  1. Stir in the shredded chicken and baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes. The spinach should wilt and the chicken should be heated through.
  2. Stir in the parmesan and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat once the cheese melts and the broth looks evenly creamy.
  3. Serve immediately, topped with extra parmesan and fresh basil. Ladle into bowls while the gnocchi are tender and the sauce clings to them.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the soup at a gentle simmer after adding the cream so it stays silky. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat on low to medium-low until warmed through, adding a splash of broth or cream if it thickens. Freezing is not recommended because gnocchi can become soft and grainy upon thawing. For a lighter option, use half-and-half in place of heavy cream (texture will be slightly less rich).