Pioneer Woman Inspired Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup: Easy Comfort Food

Chicken Gnocchi Soup is the ultimate comfort food, a creamy and delightful soup that’s surprisingly easy to make, especially when you’re looking for a meal that feels like a warm hug. Inspired by the hearty, home-style cooking of the Pioneer Woman, this recipe brings together soft gnocchi, tender chicken, and a medley of vegetables in a rich, creamy broth. It’s a family-friendly dish that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s famous soup, you’ll find this homemade version just as satisfying, if not even more so.

A bowl of creamy chicken gnocchi soup with visible gnocchi, chicken pieces, spinach and vegetable chunks, garnished with fresh herbs, representing a delicious and comforting homemade meal.

As the seasons change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of soup to warm you from the inside out. While soup is a year-round staple in many households, it truly shines during the cooler months. This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that you can whip up in about thirty minutes. It’s also perfect for meal prepping or leftovers, reheating beautifully on the stovetop. Don’t worry about the gnocchi becoming mushy; as long as you avoid prolonged simmering during reheating, they’ll maintain their delightful texture.

What Exactly is Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a hearty and comforting soup characterized by its creamy broth and the inclusion of soft gnocchi dumplings. Typically, it features a blend of vegetables like onions, celery, carrots, and spinach, along with tender pieces of chicken, all simmered together in a flavorful, often cream-based, broth. Gnocchi, the star of the soup, are small dumplings that can be made from potatoes, ricotta cheese, semolina, or a combination of these. You can find gnocchi in various forms at your local grocery store: frozen, refrigerated, or dried.

Dried gnocchi are usually vacuum-sealed and have a long pantry shelf life, lasting up to 3 months unopened. Once opened, they should be refrigerated and used within a few days. However, for the best taste and texture, many cooks prefer frozen or fresh refrigerated gnocchi. These tend to have fewer preservatives and offer a more authentic flavor. If using frozen gnocchi, it’s important to add them directly to the soup frozen, without thawing.

The Story Behind Gnocchi

The origin of gnocchi is a topic of much debate, with various regions and cultures laying claim to its creation. Northern Italy is often cited as the birthplace of gnocchi, with some believing the name derives from the Italian word “nocca,” meaning knot, referring to their small, knot-like shape. Others suggest that gnocchi-like dishes originated in the Middle East, possibly made with semolina dough long before potatoes were introduced to Europe. Regardless of their exact origins, gnocchi have become a beloved ingredient worldwide, enjoyed in pasta dishes, as a side, and especially in comforting soups like this chicken gnocchi creation.

A close-up shot of chicken gnocchi soup, showcasing the creamy texture and the ingredients like gnocchi, chicken, carrots, and spinach, inviting the viewer to appreciate the soup's rich and appetizing appearance.

Crafting Your Pioneer Woman Inspired Chicken Gnocchi Soup

To make this heartwarming chicken gnocchi soup, start by melting butter in a Dutch oven or a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, celery, and carrots and sauté until they begin to soften, about 7-8 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low and add minced garlic, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring continuously. This step is crucial to cook out the raw flour taste and helps to thicken the soup. Gradually whisk in half-and-half and chicken broth, alternating between the two to ensure a smooth sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it slightly thickens. Stir in fresh thyme, potato gnocchi, and pre-cooked chicken. Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and heated through. Finally, stir in fresh spinach and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Tips for Soup Success

Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: Save time and boost flavor by using a rotisserie chicken. These pre-cooked chickens are readily available at most grocery stores and are incredibly convenient. Simply shred or dice the meat – Costco rotisserie chickens are a popular and flavorful choice for many home cooks.
Prep Veggies Smart: Dice your onions, celery, and carrots into small, uniform pieces. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly, helping you get dinner on the table faster.
Herb Variations: While thyme is classic, feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs. Chopped rosemary, parsley, or basil can add a lovely twist to the flavor profile.
Gnocchi Choice Matters: For the best texture and taste, opt for frozen or fresh gnocchi if available. They generally contain fewer preservatives and offer a superior flavor compared to dried gnocchi.
Spinach Prep: Baby spinach is ideal for this soup. You can also use coarsely chopped spinach, just be sure to remove any long, tough stems.

A comforting bowl of chicken gnocchi soup, presented in a family-friendly style, suggesting it's a perfect meal for everyone, including kids, and emphasizing the soup's universal appeal.

Storing and Reheating Your Soup

Leftover chicken gnocchi soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power, stirring occasionally.

For longer storage, you can freeze the soup. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe zipper bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Be aware that dairy-based soups may sometimes undergo slight texture changes after freezing and thawing. Thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and reheat slowly over low heat for the best results.

This Pioneer Woman inspired Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a fantastic choice for a comforting and quick meal. Gather your ingredients, and enjoy a big, warm bowl of this delightful soup – it’s sure to become a family favorite!

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Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Easy Chicken Gnocchi Soup combines potato gnocchi, carrots, celery, garlic, spinach, and tender chicken in a creamy, seasoned broth.

4.99 from 96 votes

Print Pin RateCourse: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 452kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion chopped
2 celery ribs chopped
2 medium carrots peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups half n half
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
2 ½ cups diced cooked chicken cut into bite-size pieces
16 ounces potato gnocchi
3 cups fresh baby spinach long stems trimmed
Red pepper flakes optional
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a Dutch Oven or a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook until the onions and celery are tender, about 7-8 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute while stirring.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and continue cooking for 2 minutes while stirring. Slowly stir in the half and half and chicken broth, alternating between the two.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and then simmer until thickened about 10 minutes. Add the fresh thyme, cooked chicken, and potato gnocchi. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the spinach, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Simmer until the spinach is wilted.

Video

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Notes

Pick up an already cooked rotisserie chicken. They are so delicious and easy to cut or shred the day they are cooked or when reheated. I pick them up from Costco frequently.
Cut your onions, celery, and carrots small so they will cook quickly, and you will have dinner on the table in no time.
Other fresh herbs to use include chopped rosemary, parsley, or basil.
If available, purchase frozen gnocchi or fresh gnocchi. It has fewer preservatives and tastes better than dried gnocchi.
Use baby spinach or coarsely chopped spinach and remove long stems.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then, ladle into zipper freezer bags or a sturdy freezer container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Soups with dairy in them may change consistency when frozen. Thaw in the fridge overnight. It is best to reheat them slowly over low heat.

Nutrition

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