Chicken Gnocchi Soup

The secret to this creamy chicken gnocchi soup is that it tastes like it's been simmering for hours, but it only takes 45 minutes. Call it chicken and dumplings on the fly. That's thanks to dried gnocchi. These pillowy potato dumplings cook in five minutes and are a fun alternative to pasta. Chicken thighs are another superstar ingredient. They stay juicy and tender and infuse every bite of soup with rich, chicken-y flavor. And don't forget the veggies! Onions, carrots, and celery make this a meal you can feel good about feeding the family year-round.

Can you use rotisserie chicken instead of chicken thighs?

Be our guest! Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving hack for this soup. Just shred it and add it in with the gnocchi in step three. You'll need about four cups for this recipe.

Can you use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, though chicken thighs are richer and add more flavor to this soup, you can swap them out for skinless chicken breasts if you prefer. Simply follow the recipe as it is.

Do you cook gnocchi before adding it to soup?

Nope, there's no need. Simply pour the gnocchi into the pot and let it cook in the broth until it's tender and fluffy. Bonus: It will also absorb more flavor from the chicken broth.

How do you keep gnocchi from getting soggy in soup?

The key is to avoid overcooking the gnocchi. They only take about 5 minutes. The longer they, the soggier they'll get. Wait to add the gnocchi until the end of cooking. Simmer them just until they're light and fluffy, then add the spinach and half-and-half, and dinner is done!

How do you thicken chicken soup?

The easiest way to thicken soups or stews is actually at the beginning: Stir some flour into the sautéed veggies, slowly add the broth, then simmer over fairly low heat. Adding the flour first helps it dissolve evenly in the broth (no lumps!) and cooks out the raw flour flavor. Then, when the liquid simmers, the starch expands to thicken the soup. The dried gnocchi in this recipe also helps things thicken up.

How do you know when gnocchi is done?

Gnocchi usually float to the top when cooked through, but use your senses, too: The dumplings should look light and puffy and be completely tender when pierced with a fork. Now that's a chicken dinner that the whole family will love!

Where can you find gnocchi at the store?

Gnocchi can be found in the dried pasta aisle and in the freezer section. For this recipe, we recommend using shelf-stable, dried gnocchi. Refrigerated or frozen gnocchi have more moisture and won't thicken the soup in quite the same way.

Can you freeze chicken gnocchi soup?

Chicken gnocchi soup shouldn't be frozen as is. Freezing the soup can change the gnocchi texture and cause your beautiful creamy soup to become separated and grainy. If you would like to freeze this soup, prepare the recipe through step two. Then let it cool, transfer it to an airtight container, and freeze. Thaw the soup in the fridge overnight, then reheat it in a pot on the stove. Once it's hot, continue with step 3, adding the gnocchi, spinach, and half-and-half.

What should I serve with chicken gnocchi soup?

This cozy bowl is a full meal all on its own, but sometimes you want a little something extra on the side. Serve this chicken dinner with a crisp Caesar salad and dinner rolls for a well-rounded family meal.