Creamy Chicken and Spinach Gnocchi Soup
Experience the comforting goodness of this Creamy Chicken and Spinach Gnocchi Soup, inspired by the beloved Olive Garden classic. This hearty soup is a delightful blend of tender diced chicken, soft potato gnocchi, and fresh spinach, all swimming in a luscious broth made creamy yet light with half-and-half. With the vibrant flavors of celery, carrots, and aromatic thyme, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. The addition of a touch of cornstarch ensures a beautifully thick consistency, making every spoonful a warm embrace. Enjoy a bowl of this delightful soup that balances nutrition and flavor, perfect for the whole family.
10
Servings
260
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken breasts
3-4 (cooked and diced)
chicken stock
4 cups
half-and-half
2 cups
celery
1 stalk (diced)
garlic
1 clove (chopped)
carrot
1/2 (shredded)
onion
1/2 (diced)
fresh spinach
1 cup (chopped)
olive oil
1 tablespoon
thyme
1 teaspoon
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
potato gnocchi
16 ounces
cornstarch
1 tablespoon (optional)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, garlic, and shredded carrot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.
2
Stir in the diced chicken, followed by the chicken stock, half-and-half, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
3
Once boiling, gently add the gnocchi to the pot. Cook at a gentle boil for 4 minutes.
4
Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the soup cook for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5
In the last couple of minutes of cooking, stir in the chopped spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
6
If desired, to thicken the soup, mix the cornstarch with 1-2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir this into the boiling soup and cook for an additional minute.
7
Remove from heat, ladle into bowls, and serve hot. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
18g
Carbs
22g
Protein
1.6g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chicken and Spinach Gnocchi Soup?
It is a hearty, comforting soup inspired by the Olive Garden classic, featuring diced chicken, potato gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a creamy broth.
Is this recipe similar to the soup at Olive Garden?
Yes, this recipe is specifically inspired by the beloved Olive Garden classic chicken and gnocchi soup.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 10 servings.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include chicken breasts, chicken stock, half-and-half, potato gnocchi, spinach, celery, carrots, and onions.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 260 calories.
How do I thicken the soup?
To thicken the soup, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1-2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry, then stir it into the boiling soup.
What kind of gnocchi should I use?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of potato gnocchi.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving contains 22g of protein.
When should I add the spinach?
Stir in the chopped fresh spinach during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking until it is just wilted.
How long does it take to cook the gnocchi in the soup?
Once the soup is at a rolling boil, the gnocchi should cook for about 4 minutes.
What vegetables are used for the aromatic base?
The soup uses a base of diced onion, diced celery, chopped garlic, and shredded carrot.
How much fat is in this soup?
There are 10g of fat per serving.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The soup is seasoned with thyme, salt, and pepper.
How should the chicken be prepared before adding it to the pot?
The chicken breasts should be cooked and diced before being added to the soup mixture.
Can I make this soup lighter?
The recipe already uses half-and-half to keep the broth luscious yet light, but the cornstarch thickener is optional.
How much fiber does a serving contain?
Each serving provides 1.6g of fiber.
What type of oil should I use to sauté the vegetables?
The recipe recommends using 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the onion, celery, garlic, and carrot for about 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 18g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the total simmering time after adding the gnocchi?
After the initial 4-minute boil for the gnocchi, the soup should simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
How much chicken stock is needed?
The recipe requires 4 cups of chicken stock.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
There is a minimal amount of sugar, approximately 1g per serving.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 1 clove of chopped garlic.
What is the suggested carrot preparation?
The recipe suggests using 1/2 of a carrot, shredded.
What type of dairy is used for the creamy base?
The recipe uses 2 cups of half-and-half.
How much spinach is included?
The recipe uses 1 cup of chopped fresh spinach.
Is this soup suitable for weeknight dinners?
Yes, it is described as perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings due to its simplicity and comforting nature.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients used in this recipe.
How much thyme is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of thyme.
Should the gnocchi be cooked separately?
No, the gnocchi are added directly to the boiling soup and cooked for 4 minutes.