Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup is sure to keep you warm and comforted throughout the cooler months of the year and you're guaranteed to be satisfied. A great weeknight option or comforting weekend addition for the entire family, this soup boasts of it’s major flavor factor and comes loaded with tender, soft potato gnocchi, major garlic flavor, herbs + seasonings, chopped kale, and beautifully shredded chicken! Vegan + Gluten-Free options.

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Making soup is my personal self-care moment and I literally indulge in all kinds of textures and flavors. Growing up in a Jamaican household, soup is such a major staple especially once the temperature outdoors drops and you find yourself needing a bit of warmth and comfort. Haha. This Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup is specifically one of my latest faves and my husband definitely finished all leftovers within 24 hours! YES---it's that delish!

The best part about this soup is that it reminds me of the Jamaican way of cooking soup because of the addition of dumplings, which is what gnocchi are. Have you tried this Jamaican Chicken Soup? If not, you truly will love the complete nourishment that it provides and kick of spice.

Also, I'm in complete love with this soup and I love the fact that you can add your favorite greens (i.e. kale, spinach, etc.) into the mix and create a really nice flavor.

But I'm starting to love and lean into creamier based soups and my Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup and Creamy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup have been top contenders! Have you been enjoying them too?

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup is super easy to make, only uses a few staple ingredients, creamy, velvety, flavorful. Plus, it comes with a vegan + gluten-free option.

What is Gnocchi and How Do You Make It?

Gnocchi are basically Italian dumplings made with flour, eggs, and potatoes---unless they are egg-free like this one that I purchased from Delallo foods. When it comes to making your own gnocchi, the process is done is fairly a few steps. It starts with boiling and mashing the potatoes, combining the ingredients together and kneading them into a ball, shaping the dough, cutting them into pieces, and boiling and draining the gnocchi. For a great recipe, check out AllRecipes.com.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup

To make this creamy gnocchi soup, you'll start by baking and shredding your chicken, if you haven't already. Then to finish the soup, you'll need a pot on the stove to sauté the garlic followed by the flour and seasonings. The shredded chicken, chopped kale, gnocchi, along with the remaining ingredients go into the pot for the soup. Let it simmer a bit more, add the cheese, and wallah! Nice, creamy results.

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Here's what you need to make this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home:

• Chicken Breasts. One of the stars of this dish. I decided to shred them after it being cooked for a nice bite; Can also be diced in chunks.
• Gnocchi. You can make them yourself or purchase a quality store-bought version from Delallo Foods. For a gluten-free version, simply use gluten-free gnocchi.
• Flour. Used for the thickening of soup. You can sub with GF flour for that option.
• Chicken stock. Use store-bought low-sodium broth or make your own! For vegan option, use veggie stock.
• Heavy cream. I recommend organic–always! Of course, for a vegan option, just use full-fat coconut cream/milk.
• Butter. I recommend unsalted. You can always substitute with olive oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil. For a vegan option, use vegan butter.
• Garlic. I prefer fresh, but you could substitute with 1 Tablespoon garlic powder in a pinch for a bold flavor. You can also roast a garlic bulb for greater flavor.
• Herbs + Seasonings. A great addition of flavor. Adds such savoriness from the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, parsley, and basil.
• Kale. Any kind of kale will work! You can also sub with spinach, collard greens, broccoli, or bok choy.
• Parmesan. I love to freshly-grate my cheese, however, you can use your favorite shredded brand---quality does matter! For a vegan option, So Delicious Dairy-Free or Violife cheese shreds tastes great.

How to Best Shred Chicken

When it comes to creating pulled or shredded chicken, there are two most effective ways to do so. Firstly, you would need to ensure that your chicken is fully cooked and cooled and then you shred the chicken in one of the following ways:

Forks: For this method you would need two forks. If using this method, place your cooked chicken breast onto a plate or cutting board and use both forks to separate the chicken meat and 'shred' as you separate. Continue doing this until all of your chicken is shredded.

Stand Mixer: If you're looking to avoid using arm strength, then the method of a stand mixer might be just for you. This is by far the fastest and easiest way to shred chicken and you simply place all of your cooked chicken breasts in the bowl of stand mixer. Add the paddle attachment and mix on low. In just 15-20 seconds you’ll have shredded chicken. That easy!

Tips For Making Good Soup Every Time:

Now, if you're intimidated with making soup or are concerned that it won't turn out as delicious, no worries. In my experience with making many different types of soup and watching the adults around me make a TON of soup (it's a staple in the Jamaican culture), I've learned a few things along the way that can help you make really good soup, including this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup:

• Chop your veggies and ingredients into bite-sized pieces for greater ease when eating.
• ALWAYS sauté your veggies, especially the garlic, onions, etc.
• Make your own stock if you can or use water as your base with seasonings + herbs for a great taste. If using store-bought stock/broth, always purchase high-quality ones.
• Let it simmer. While you might be tempted to cook your soup on high for a faster cook time, it's definitely BEST to let everything simmer and allow the flavors to "fuse" together slowly.
• If using meat, always sear your meat in the pot first prior to adding it to the soup to cook the rest of the way.
• If adding dairy or an alternative, always stir it in last or during the final few minutes.
• To thicken (if needed), always mix your thickener (flour, arrowroot, starch, etc.) in a small bowl with some of the hot broth from your soup before adding it to the entire pot of soup. This prevents lumps and gives you a nice creaminess.

Top Reasons Why You’ll Love This Creamy Gnocchi Soup

Once you make and eat this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup—– you’ll fall in absolute love. Haha. More importantly, here are also the reasons why you’ll love it the most:

• It’s super easy to make.
• Simple set + forget it—-Simmer, Simmer, Simmer over the stovetop!
• Only requires ONE pot.
• Makes for a great weeknight meal with a full vegan + gluten-free option.
• So creamy and full of texture.
• Great for meal prepping and make aheads for the week!
• Super flavorful.
• Perfect Fall + Winter vibes!
• Did I mention, it’s just delicious?

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS SOUP!

Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, wooden spoons, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How to Thicken Soup in General

While many soups are thickened for texture, what you use as a thickening agent is solely up to you. All in all, it depends on how you like it! Use 1 tablespoon at a time mixed with 1 tablespoon of water to dilute. Then pour the mixture into the soup, simmering for an additional few minutes to activate the thickener.

Some thickening agents you can use are:

• Cornstarch (GF)
• Arrowroot starch (GF)
• Potato starch (GF)
• All-purpose flour

Why Won't My Cheese Melt in the Soup?

It's so important to use freshly-grated parmesan cheese for the creamiest results in your creamy garlic chicken gnocchi soup. While you can use shredded cheese, it won't melt as seamlessly because it has a special "coating", which prevents it from melting smoothly.

NOTE: If you only have shredded cheese, then I recommend adding it the soup while it's simmering in the last 5 minutes or so, stirring until melted and then topping it immediately after serving it into bowl(s).

What Can I Add to This Creamy Soup

I like to add some extra texture to creamy soups like this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup. While the ingredients in this creamy soup is perfect as is, I wanted to share a few more ideas of ingredients that you can add incase you make this soup more than once and want to switch things up!

Other ingredient ideas include:

• Roasted broccolini or broccoli instead of kale
• Crispy bacon (if you're not plant-based, of course)
• Grated cheese like Parmesan, mozzarella, pecorino romano, etc. (vegan or regular if you're not vegan!)
• Crispy sage leaves (for the topping)
• Roasted chickpeas
• Beans (White beans, etc.)
• Top with Homemade Croutons for a nice crunch
• Seafood (like shrimp, lobster, etc.)
• Sausage

What Can Be Used in Place of Kale in this Creamy Soup?

Although, kale is the most common veggie used in this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup, you can definitely use other greens such as spinach, collard greens, bokchoy, etc. for a nice twist! When it comes to vegetables, there are so many benefits as we all know. While some veggies pack a greater punch when it comes to nutrients, we’ve curated a special list of our Our Top 12 Favorite Healthy Green Leafy Vegetables! Most of these are super popular while others are under utilized in many dishes. Lettuce Eat, Shall We?

How to Store Leftover Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Leftovers can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, for optimal freshness. Can also be frozen for 4-6 months. To defrost, simply place soup in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature before re-heating on the stove top to serve.

Can I Make this Gnocchi Soup Entirely Vegan and/or Gluten-Free?

Yes! Of course. To make this soup vegan, be sure to omit the chicken and substitute the butter with vegan butter, heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream/milk, gnocchi with a vegan-friendly version, chicken stock with veggie stock, and cheese with nutritional yeast and/or dairy-free cheese shreds.

To make this soup GF-friendly, simply substitute the gnocchi with a gluten-free version and ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly and you use GF bread on the side, if using.

More Soup Recipes to Try this Season!

• Creamy Roasted Garlic Tortellini Soup
• Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup
• Creamy Tuscan Tortellini Soup
• Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Creamy Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Chickpea Soup
• Apple Cheddar Sweet Potato Soup
• Loaded Vegan Veggie Soup
• Easy Flavorful Rigatoni Meatball Soup

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you make this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup, tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea!

Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup

4.59 from 31 votes

If you're a soup lover, then you've got to make this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup that comes jam-packed with a ton of flavor and texture!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

Serves: 4 servings

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Ingredients

SOUP:

• 1 (16 oz.) package potato gnocchi, homemade or store-bought (I like to use Delallo foods)
• 2 cups cooked + shredded organic chicken breasts (See Post Notes for more)
• 2 Tbsps unsalted butter
• 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 4 Tbsps organic all-purpose flour
• 5 cups organic chicken stock/broth
• 1 ½ cups organic heavy cream
• 2 cups organic kale, de-stemmed + chopped
• 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

TO MAKE THE SOUP:

• In a medium-sized dutch oven pot over medium high-heat, add the butter. Once heated and the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, parsley, and basil, stirring until combined.
• Add in the chicken stock, stirring frequently to avoid lumping until thickened. Add in the heavy cream, chopped kale, thyme sprigs, shredded chicken, and gnocchi, stirring to combine. Let everything simmer for about 10-12 minutes or until the gnocchi is fully cooked through, floats to the top, and tender.
• Add in the grated parmesan, stirring until cheese has melted and the soup becomes creamy. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes.
• Remove from heat, discard thyme leaves, and serve immediately into prepared bowl(s), top with a side of bread or salad, if desired.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Leftovers can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, for optimal freshness. Can also be frozen for 4-6 months. To defrost, simply place soup in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature before re-heating on the stove top to serve.
• SPICES/HERBS: If desired, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in spice/herb flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
• HOMEMADE GNOCCHI: To see how to make your own gnocchi, see my post for details!
• GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make this soup GF-friendly, simply substitute the gnocchi with a gluten-free version and ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly and you use GF bread on the side, if using.
• VEGAN OPTION: To make this soup vegan, be sure to omit the chicken and substitute the butter with vegan butter, heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream/milk, gnocchi with a vegan-friendly version, chicken stock with veggie stock, and cheese with nutritional yeast and/or dairy-free cheese shreds.
• EQUIPMENT: Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more.

Nutrition

Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 1115mg | Potassium: 490mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5126IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 408mg | Iron: 3mg

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Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea

Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

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