Get ready to savor a comforting bowl of creamy chicken and gnocchi soup that’s as delightful as it is easy to make. This recipe will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen, but in reality, it’s ready in just 45 minutes. The secret weapon here? Dried gnocchi. These soft potato dumplings cook in no time and add a unique twist to this classic dish. Combined with tender chicken thighs, this soup is bursting with rich, chickeny flavor. It’s light enough to enjoy year-round, and you can even swap out the chicken for leftover turkey to keep things interesting. Who’s ready for a steaming bowl?
Yields: 6 – 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion
- 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 6 cups of chicken broth
- 1 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt, plus extra for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
- 1 pound of dried gnocchi
- 1 5-ounce container of baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup of half-and-half
Directions
1. Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Stir occasionally and cook until they become tender, which should take around 10 to 12 minutes. In the final minute, add the minced garlic.
2. Flour Power: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour into the pot, and stir continuously until the vegetables are evenly coated and the flour is fully combined. This process should take roughly a minute.
3. Simmer and Infuse: Gradually add the chicken broth, allowing it to come to a gentle simmer. Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken, freshly chopped thyme, salt, and pepper. Once again, bring the mixture to a simmer, this time over medium heat. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low, allowing the chicken to cook through. This should take approximately 5 minutes.
4. Gnocchi Magic: Add the dried gnocchi into the simmering mixture. Cover the pot and occasionally stir until the gnocchi turn tender and delightful. This step usually takes around 4 to 5 minutes.
5. Green Elegance: Stir in the roughly chopped baby spinach and the creamy half-and-half. Keep stirring occasionally until everything is beautifully combined, and the spinach turns tender. This step typically takes 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Season to Perfection: Remove the pot from the heat and, to elevate the flavors, season your creation with salt and pepper to your personal taste.
In just 45 minutes, you’ve crafted a soul-warming, delectable bowl of creamy chicken and gnocchi soup that’s bound to satisfy your family’s cravings. Enjoy your culinary triumph!
image source : atonce
