“So very good. When I’m sick I don’t want chicken noodle soup, I want THIS!”

– LeAnn Briley Lucas

One of the best aspects of this chicken gnocchi soup recipe is its adaptability. To keep preparation incredibly fast and simple, opt for your favorite store-bought refrigerated gnocchi. These are readily available and cook up beautifully in minutes. However, if you’re feeling ambitious and enjoy a homemade touch, you can certainly go the DIY route using recipes like my homemade mashed potato gnocchi or even homemade sweet potato gnocchi for an extra layer of flavor and satisfaction.

The true genius behind this dinner-winner lies in its one-pot design: the chicken breasts are cooked directly in the stock pot alongside the vegetables, infusing the broth with incredible flavor from the very beginning. This streamlines the cooking process and minimizes cleanup, making it the ultimate hassle-free meal. Once the soup is ready, a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves offers an aromatic herbal boost, enhancing the overall freshness and appeal. And for those with a deep cheese affinity (confession: I’m guilty!), a generous shower of grated Parmesan cheese is an absolutely welcome and decadent topping for these big, soul-warming bowls of comfort.

The cooking process is wonderfully straightforward, designed for efficiency without compromising on flavor:

1. Sauté Your Aromatics: Begin by melting butter in your large stockpot. Add minced garlic, diced yellow onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté them gently until the onions become translucent and the vegetables start to soften. This crucial step builds the foundational flavor profile of your soup, releasing sweet and savory notes that will permeate the entire dish.
2. Simmer the Chicken: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, then add the raw, cubed chicken breasts, poultry seasoning, and dried thyme. Stir everything to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 15 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook through, become incredibly tender, and release its natural juices into the broth, further enriching the soup’s base.
3. Add the Gnocchi: Finally, add your gnocchi directly to the simmering soup. Continue to cook, uncovered, for an additional 3 minutes. Gnocchi cooks very quickly; once the dumplings float to the surface, they are typically al dente and ready to eat. Avoid overcooking, as this can lead to a mushy texture.
4. Finish and Serve: Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference. For an extra boost of greens and nutrients, stir in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last minute of cooking until wilted. Ladle into bowls and enjoy immediately, perhaps with your favorite crusty bread for dipping.

Kelly’s Note: My chicken gnocchi soup recipe is crafted to be light and comforting, intentionally skipping heavy cream. However, if you’re yearning for that rich, creamy texture reminiscent of Olive Garden’s famous version, simply stir in ½ cup of heavy cream or half-and-half just before serving. This will add a luxurious finish without overpowering the other flavors.

What to Serve with This Comforting Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This chicken gnocchi soup is incredibly hearty and satisfying enough to be a standalone meal. However, no comforting soup is truly complete without something delicious for dipping! Crusty bread, warm rolls, or even a classic grilled cheese sandwich are always excellent ideas. Here are a few reader-favorite pairings that perfectly complement the rich flavors of this soup:

• Homemade No Yeast Bread: A quick and easy rustic bread that’s perfect for soaking up every last drop of flavorful broth. Its simple preparation means less fuss, more deliciousness.
• Cast-Iron Skillet Cornbread: The slightly sweet and crumbly texture of cornbread provides a wonderful contrast to the savory soup. Cooking it in a cast-iron skillet gives it a fantastic crispy crust.
• Homemade Cheddar Biscuits: Fluffy, cheesy, and utterly irresistible, these biscuits add a touch of indulgence. Their savory notes and soft texture make them an ideal partner for the chicken gnocchi soup.
• Pumpkin Dinner Rolls: For a seasonal twist, these soft and slightly sweet pumpkin rolls offer a unique flavor profile that pairs beautifully with the savory warmth of the soup, especially during colder months.
• Air Fryer Grilled Cheese: A crispy, gooey grilled cheese sandwich is the quintessential soup companion. Making it in the air fryer ensures a perfect golden crust and melted interior with minimal effort.

Storing & Freezing Your Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious chicken gnocchi soup for days to come. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s important to note that the gnocchi will continue to absorb liquid over time, which can thicken the soup significantly and alter the gnocchi’s texture. When reheating, simply add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to loosen things up and restore the desired consistency. This helps revive the soup and ensures the gnocchi remains enjoyable.

This chicken soup is also wonderfully freezer-friendly, making it an excellent option for meal prepping. However, for the absolute best results and to prevent the gnocchi from becoming mushy or disintegrating upon reheating, I highly recommend freezing the soup without the gnocchi. Prepare the broth, sautéed vegetables, and cooked chicken as directed in the recipe, then allow the soup base to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Gently reheat it on the stovetop, bringing it to a simmer, and then add fresh, uncooked gnocchi during the last few minutes of cooking, just as you would in the original recipe. This method preserves the delightful texture of the dumplings, ensuring a fresh and satisfying meal every time.

Absolutely! Frozen gnocchi works just as well. There’s no need to thaw it beforehand. Simply add the frozen gnocchi directly to the simmering soup. Cook them until they float to the surface, which typically takes about 3–4 minutes, indicating they are cooked through and tender.

The key to perfectly textured gnocchi is to add them at the very end of the cooking process and avoid over-stirring. Gnocchi cooks extremely fast, usually requiring only a few minutes until they float. Once they float, they’re done. Prolonged cooking or excessive stirring can cause them to break down and become mushy.

Yes, this recipe can be easily adapted for a vegetarian diet. Simply swap the chicken broth for a high-quality vegetable broth. Instead of chicken, you can add plant-based protein sources like cannellini beans or chickpeas, or even extra vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms, to make it equally hearty and satisfying.

This soup is incredibly versatile when it comes to vegetables! Feel free to add diced zucchini, green beans, peas, corn, bell peppers, or even mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrients. Add heartier vegetables like potatoes or sweet potatoes earlier with the carrots, and softer ones like peas or spinach in the last few minutes of cooking.

Yes, you can definitely use pre-cooked chicken, such as shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover baked chicken. If using cooked chicken, add it during the last 5-10 minutes of simmering, along with the gnocchi, just enough time for it to heat through and absorb the flavors of the broth, preventing it from drying out.

If you prefer a thicker soup, you have a few options. You can create a simple slurry by whisking together a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water, then stirring it into the simmering soup until it thickens. Alternatively, for a creamy texture, follow Kelly’s note and stir in half a cup of heavy cream or half-and-half just before serving.

• Chicken Wild Rice Soup
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup
• Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
• Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup
• Homemade Egg Drop Soup