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- 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced - 1 medium onion, diced - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 3 carrots, sliced - 2 celery stalks, sliced - 6 cups chicken broth - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 bay leaf - 1 pound potato gnocchi - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup kale or spinach, chopped - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish Using boneless, skinless chicken breasts makes this soup lean and tasty. Chicken is high in protein, helping to keep you full. The onion and garlic add a strong flavor and health benefits. Garlic may help your heart health, while onions support your immune system. Carrots and celery give crunch and color, plus they are good sources of vitamins. Kale or spinach adds nutrients and a pop of green, making the soup more vibrant. If you want a lighter soup, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. For a vegetarian version, try using vegetable broth and swap the chicken for chickpeas or tofu. You can also add some mushrooms for extra flavor. If you do not have potato gnocchi, regular pasta works well too. Just cook it according to the package directions. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather all your ingredients. You need olive oil, chicken, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, chicken broth, thyme, oregano, a bay leaf, gnocchi, heavy cream, kale or spinach, salt, pepper, and parsley. First, dice the chicken into small pieces. Then, chop the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. This makes cooking easier. In a large pot, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and sauté it. Cook until it turns brown, about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside. Next, in the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté these for about 5 minutes until they soften. This adds great flavor to your soup. Now, pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. Add one teaspoon each of dried thyme and oregano, plus one bay leaf. Bring this mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add one pound of potato gnocchi. Cook it according to the package instructions, usually about 3-5 minutes. After the gnocchi is ready, lower the heat. Stir in one cup of heavy cream, the cooked chicken, and one cup of chopped kale or spinach. Let this simmer for about 5 minutes. This step is key to meld the flavors together. Before serving, season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember to remove the bay leaf; it’s not meant to be eaten. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Your creamy herb chicken gnocchi soup is now ready to enjoy! To boost the flavor of your creamy herb chicken gnocchi soup, consider adding more herbs. Fresh herbs like thyme and parsley elevate the taste. If you want more zing, add a squeeze of lemon juice. A pinch of red pepper flakes can also add a hint of heat. Experiment with flavors to find the perfect balance for your taste buds. Avoid overcooking the gnocchi. Gnocchi cooks quickly, usually in just 3-5 minutes. If you cook them too long, they can turn mushy. Also, watch the cream. Add it at the end to keep the soup rich and smooth. Skipping the bay leaf can lessen the depth of flavor, so don’t leave it out! This soup is great on its own, but pairing it with bread makes it even better. A crusty baguette or warm rolls soak up the creamy broth nicely. You can also serve it with a simple salad for a balanced meal. Try to sprinkle some extra parsley on top for a fresh touch before serving. Pro Tips Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs can elevate the flavor of your soup. Add chopped parsley or dill just before serving for a burst of freshness. Perfect Gnocchi Texture: Avoid overcooking the gnocchi; they should float to the top when done. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Chicken Options: For a richer flavor, consider using bone-in chicken thighs instead of breasts. Just ensure to remove the skin and bones before serving. Thickening the Soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can blend a portion of the soup and then stir it back in to create a creamier texture. {{image_2}} You can easily swap the chicken in this recipe. Turkey makes a great choice if you want a leaner option. Shrimp can also work well, adding a nice seafood twist. Just cook shrimp until pink, then add it to the soup near the end. This keeps the shrimp tender and juicy. Don't hesitate to add more veggies for extra flavor and nutrition. Peas can add sweetness and color. Asparagus offers a nice crunch; just chop it into small pieces. You could also toss in zucchini or bell peppers. These veggies will cook quickly and infuse the soup with vibrant taste. If you want a lighter soup, swap heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk. For a dairy-free option, use coconut milk or almond milk. Both options provide a creamy texture without the dairy. Adjust the amount to your taste, adding more for a richer flavor or less for a lighter soup. This soup is best when fresh, but you can store it in the fridge. It lasts about three days. Make sure to place it in an airtight container. This keeps it safe and tasty for later. You can freeze this soup too. Just let it cool first. Pour it into freezer-safe bags or containers. Leave some space for the soup to expand. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, just thaw it overnight in the fridge. To reheat, place the soup in a pot over low heat. Stir often to keep it smooth. If it seems too thick, add a splash of broth or cream. This helps maintain the creamy texture. You can also microwave it, but stir every minute for even warming. Enjoy your warm bowl of comfort! To thicken the soup, you can use a few methods. One way is to add more heavy cream. This makes the soup rich and creamy. You can also mash some of the gnocchi in the soup. This gives it body without changing the flavor. Another option is to mix a bit of cornstarch with cold water. Add this mixture to the soup while it simmers. It will help thicken the broth quickly. Yes, you can use frozen gnocchi. It is very convenient and saves time. Just add the frozen gnocchi directly to the boiling soup. Cook it according to the package instructions. Usually, it takes about 3-5 minutes. Frozen gnocchi holds its shape well and still tastes great in the soup. Making this soup in a slow cooker is easy. Start by cooking the chicken in a pan. Sauté it until it is browned. Then, add it to the slow cooker along with the veggies and spices. Pour in the chicken broth and set the slow cooker on low for about 4 hours. Add the gnocchi and cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This keeps the gnocchi soft and the soup creamy. Enjoy your slow-cooked meal! In this blog post, we explored the key ingredients for making a delicious soup. We covered the complete ingredient list, showcased highlights like the health benefits of kale, and shared useful substitutions. You learned step-by-step instructions for preparation and cooking, along with helpful tips to enhance flavor and avoid common mistakes. To wrap it up, remember that small changes in ingredients or cooking methods can transform a dish. Enjoy experimenting and have fun while cooking!

Creamy Herb Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A comforting and creamy soup featuring chicken, gnocchi, and fresh herbs.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 medium carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • 1 pound potato gnocchi
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup kale or spinach, chopped
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and sauté until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
  • In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and add the dried thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
  • Once boiling, add the gnocchi to the pot and cook according to package instructions, usually about 3-5 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, cooked chicken, and chopped kale or spinach. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until everything is heated through and the greens are wilted.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Remove the bay leaf before serving for best flavor.
Keyword chicken, creamy, gnocchi, herbs, soup