If you are on the lookout for a comforting and hearty dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, this Italian Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe is absolutely the answer. Bursting with rich flavors from sun-dried tomatoes and tender vegetables, combined with pillowy gnocchi and shredded chicken, this soup is an easy yet irresistible meal that satisfies on so many levels. It’s perfect for chilly evenings when you want something soothing but also crave a little Italian flair to brighten your day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but each one plays a crucial role in building the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and color in this soup. From the vibrant sun-dried tomatoes to the hearty gnocchi, you’ll find everything works together harmoniously.
- 8 oz jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes: Adds a tangy, concentrated tomato flavor and the infused oil serves as the cooking fat.
- 1 large onion: Provides a sweet and savory base that enhances the overall taste.
- 3 large carrots: Offer a subtle sweetness and lovely color contrast.
- 2 stalks celery: Brings an earthy depth and slight crunch after cooking.
- 5 cloves garlic: Infuses aromatic warmth that lifts every bite.
- 5 cups chicken broth: Creates the flavorful liquid foundation for the soup.
- 2 cups cooked chicken: Adds protein and hearty texture.
- 1 lb shelf-stable gnocchi: Soft and pillowy, this is the star carbohydrate that makes the soup uniquely satisfying.
- 3-4 oz baby spinach: Adds freshness and a vibrant green pop to the dish.
- Tomato paste, chicken base, flour, evaporated milk, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley: Essential pantry staples that build depth, creaminess, and garnish to the soup.
How to Make Italian Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Start by heating the flavorful oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large pot. This oil is pure gold for infusing your soup with vibrant tomato and herb notes. Toss in the diced onion, carrots, and celery and sauté them until they soften and their natural sweetness emerges, about 5 minutes. This step lays a savory foundation that sets your soup apart.
Step 2: Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Garlic
Next, stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with the minced garlic and your choice of spices. Cooking this mixture for just about a minute awakens their aromas and melds their flavors beautifully, creating a rich base layer.
Step 3: Incorporate Tomato Paste, Chicken Base, and Flour
Now, add tomato paste, chicken base, and a bit of flour to the pot. The paste deepens the tomato essence while the chicken base enhances savoriness. The flour acts as a thickening agent, giving your soup a luscious body. Cook everything together for another minute to marry these ingredients.
Step 4: Pour in the Chicken Broth
Slowly add the chicken broth, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to incorporate any browned bits—this technique is key to boosting flavor. Bring your soup to a gentle simmer, preparing it for the next phase of cooking.
Step 5: Simmer the Soup
Partially cover the pot and let your soup simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. This slow melding lets all the flavors deepen and the vegetables cook fully, giving the soup a satisfying texture and rich taste.
Step 6: Add Chicken, Spinach, Evaporated Milk, and Gnocchi
This is when your ingredients come together for the final crescendo. Stir in the shredded cooked chicken for protein, fresh baby spinach for earthiness and color, creamy evaporated milk for silky richness, and the gnocchi which will cook right in the broth. Let everything heat through for about 5 to 10 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and the soup is piping hot.
Step 7: Serve with Parmesan and Parsley
Before serving, ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. This last touch delivers a burst of savory, cheesy goodness and a fresh herby note that elevates the whole dish.
How to Serve Italian Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Garnishes
While Parmesan and parsley are classic, you can also sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick or swirl in a spoonful of pesto to amp up the herbal aroma. A drizzle of good-quality olive oil can add a silky finish that is simply irresistible.
Side Dishes
This soup is hearty on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or warm garlic bread can turn your meal into a perfectly balanced feast. A simple Caesar salad or a rustic baguette toasted with butter is all you need to complete the experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, serve the soup in mini bread bowls or elegant white bowls garnished with microgreens. Layer the gnocchi on top before ladling the broth to highlight their pillowy texture. Making servings family-style in a beautiful ceramic pot also encourages everyone to dive in together, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Italian Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to preserve freshness. The flavors actually have a chance to meld even more, making leftovers just as delicious, if not better.
Freezing
If you want to store it longer, freeze the soup without the gnocchi to avoid texture changes. Freeze in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and adding freshly cooked gnocchi.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If frozen, thaw completely first. Add fresh gnocchi or leftovers gnocchi last to maintain that soft but firm bite that makes this soup so special.
FAQs
Can I use fresh gnocchi instead of shelf-stable gnocchi?
Absolutely! Fresh gnocchi will work beautifully and cook even faster, typically just a few minutes once added to the simmering soup. Just keep an eye on the texture to avoid overcooking.
Is this soup dairy-free friendly?
You can make this soup dairy-free by swapping evaporated milk with a plant-based milk like coconut or almond milk, and simply omit the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative for garnish.
What can I substitute if I don’t have chicken base?
If chicken base isn’t available, you can use extra chicken broth or a good-quality bouillon cube. Adjust seasoning accordingly as chicken bases generally have a concentrated flavor.
How spicy is the soup?
This Italian Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe is naturally mild and comforting, but you can add crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne if you’d like a little heat to warm things up.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace chicken broth and chicken with vegetable broth and use hearty mushrooms or plant-based protein for richness. The gnocchi and veggies will still make it filling and delicious.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about a bowl of Italian Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe that just touches the soul. It’s not only simple to prepare but so richly rewarding with every spoonful. Whether you’re feeding a family or just craving a cozy meal, this soup will quickly become a staple you return to again and again. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite comfort food!
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Italian Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Italian Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a comforting, hearty soup featuring tender chicken, fluffy gnocchi, and vibrant vegetables simmered in a flavorful tomato and chicken broth base. Enriched with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a touch of creaminess from evaporated milk, it’s perfect for a cozy dinner and serves approximately 8 people.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 large carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3–4 oz baby spinach
Proteins
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
Pantry & Dry Ingredients
- 8 oz jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil reserved
- 1 lb shelf-stable gnocchi
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp chicken base
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Liquids
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup evaporated milk
Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, heat the reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté over medium heat until vegetables are soft and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and garlic: Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic along with your choice of spices (if any). Cook everything together for about 1 minute to release the aromas.
- Create the base: Mix in tomato paste, chicken base, and flour. This will help thicken the soup. Cook while stirring for another minute to thoroughly combine and cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add broth and simmer: Slowly pour in chicken broth while scraping the bottom of the pot to lift any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer vegetables: Partially cover the pot and let the soup simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to soften further.
- Add chicken, spinach, cream, and gnocchi: Stir in shredded cooked chicken, baby spinach, evaporated milk, and gnocchi. Continue cooking for 5-10 minutes until the gnocchi floats and is tender, and everything is heated through.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley for a burst of flavor and freshness.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken from leftovers or rotisserie for convenience.
- Vegetables can be finely chopped or grated for a smoother texture.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, adjust the flour quantity slightly or reduce some broth.
- This soup freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute evaporated milk with coconut milk or another plant-based milk.
