Description
A rich and hearty Italian-American soup featuring tender shredded chicken, soft potato gnocchi, fresh vegetables, and a creamy broth enhanced with Parmesan cheese. This comforting one-pot dish is perfect for cozy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
Sauté Base
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 tsp fresh thyme)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 package (16 oz / 450 g) potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
Creamy Finish
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for richness)
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook while stirring occasionally until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add chicken and seasonings: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken, chicken broth, dried thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to allow flavors to combine, about 5 minutes.
- Cook gnocchi: Add the potato gnocchi to the simmering soup. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the gnocchi float to the top, indicating they are tender and fully cooked.
- Wilt spinach: Stir in fresh spinach leaves and cook just until the spinach is wilted and vibrant green, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add cream and cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and add the grated Parmesan cheese, if using. Stir gently and heat until warmed through without allowing the soup to boil, maintaining a creamy texture.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, mash a few cooked gnocchi into the broth to release starch and add body.
- Make it dairy-free by substituting coconut milk for the cream and omitting the Parmesan cheese.
- Swap spinach for kale for a heartier green with a robust texture.
- Leftovers reheat well, but add extra chicken broth if the soup thickens too much upon storing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup, Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American