This thick and creamyChicken Gnocchi Soupis made by cooking onions, carrots, celery, gnocchi, and shredded chicken in a hearty and salty chicken broth. This soup is the ultimate comfort food and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

small serving bowl of chicken gnocchi soup

There is nothing better than a bowl of warm, rich, and thick soup during the cold winter months! Chicken gnocchi soup is one of my favorite go-to meals because it is quick to put together and is bursting with herbaceous Italian flavor. Each bite is the perfect combination of smooth and creamy broth, tender vegetables, and chewy gnocchi.

This soup has the look and taste of a gourmet dish, yet it is super simple to make in your own home! All the ingredients are cooked together in one pot for an easy weeknight dinner. This soup has something that everyone will love; pair it with someeasy homemade breadsticksand you’ll have a dinner that your family will rave about!

side view of a bowl of chicken gnocchi soup

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Has a rich and creamy texture!
Makes enough to feed a larger family or have leftovers.
Is a quick one-pot, 30-minute dinner.
Can be served on its own or paired with your favorite Italian-inspired side dishes.

Recipe Ingredients

small portion dishes labeled with the raw ingredients to make chicken gnocchi soup

Shredded Chicken—You can use freshly baked chicken breast or leftover rotisserie chicken.
Gnocchi—This potato-based pasta adds a nice bouncy texture to this soup.
Shredded Carrots—Provide nutrients and build flavor.
Celery—Diced.Adds a nice crunch and savory note!
White Onion—For a nice aroma and depth of flavor.
Chicken Broth—Acts as the smooth and savory base for this hearty soup. You can use low sodium if you prefer.
Heavy Cream—Makes your finished soup creamy and rich.
Italian Seasoning—Gives this chicken gnocchi soup that classic herby flavor.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Popular Substitutions and Variations

Not a big fan of chicken? You can make this gnocchi soup with other types of meat! Try Italian sausage, shredded turkey, ormeatballs.
To make this recipe vegetarian, you can omit the chicken or use tofu instead. And don’t forget to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth!
Change the flavor profile by making this soup spicy! Add heat with some red pepper flakes or a bit of cayenne pepper.
For more nutrients and additional flavor, you can add more vegetables. Try adding spinach, tomatoes, green beans, or peas.

How to Make the Best Chicken Gnocchi Soup

pot for chicken gnocchi soup ingredients

Step #1.In a large pot, sauté the white onion, celery, and Italian seasoning in a bit of olive oil.

Step #2.Once the vegetables have softened, add the chicken broth, chicken, and gnocchi.

pot with chicken gnocchi soup ingredients

Step #3.Cover and allow the mixture to simmer until the gnocchi is soft and chewy.

Step #4.Add the heavy cream and allow the soup to continue simmering until slightly thickened. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Should I cook my gnocchi before adding it to soup?

No, it is not necessary to cook the gnocchi before adding it to the soup! As the pasta simmers in the broth, it will cook all the way through. Plus, the gnocchi will absorb some extra yummy flavors as it cooks with the other ingredients.

How will I know when the gnocchi is done?

Gnocchi should be soft with a smooth and delicate texture. When they are done cooking the gnocchi will typically float to the top of the soup. You can also keep an eye on it, when it looks puffy and you can poke it all the way through with a fork, then it is done!

How can I thicken my soup if it is runny?

Your soup will naturally thicken the longer it simmers! If you find that your simmered soup is still too runny for your taste, you can ladle a small amount of soup into a separate bowl and mix in a tablespoon of cornstarch or flour. Then you can incorporate this slurry back into your soup. This will thicken up your chicken gnocchi soup quickly!

Expert Tips

You can typically find gnocchi on the pasta aisle at your local grocery store. If you like to make your own gnocchi, you’ll want to make sure you have about 2-3 cups for this recipe.
If your store doesn’t sell bags of shredded carrots,you can dice 2 medium carrots instead.
Be sure to cook the chicken on a low simmer! If the chicken is boiled too vigorously, it will become tough and chewy.
You can swap out the white onion for a yellow onionif that’s what you have on hand. A yellow onion will give your finished soup a slightly sweeter flavor profile.

How to Serve and Store Gnocchi Soup

This chicken gnocchi soup tastes amazing topped with some black pepper, chopped basil, or freshly grated parmesan cheese. It is a hearty enough soup that it can be served as a main dish with homemadeItalian breador a fresh side salad like this simplesalad with beets.

Any leftover gnocchi soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat your soup in the microwave a single serving at a time. Reheat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each one, until the soup is warm throughout. I don’t recommend storing this soup in the freezer as the heavy cream will have an odd texture once it thaws.