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This homestyle chicken gnocchi soup combines tender potato dumplings with succulent chicken and fresh vegetables in a velvety cream broth. Perfected through careful testing, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality comfort food right from your own kitchen. The balance of flavors and textures creates a deeply satisfying bowl that's become a treasured family recipe.
Key Ingredients
Premium potato gnocchi, either fresh or frozen.
Tender rotisserie chicken meat.
Fresh aromatic thyme sprigs.
Young spinach leaves.
The texture difference between fresh and dried gnocchi is remarkable - fresh varieties maintain their light, pillowy consistency while cooking.
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Essential Preparation Steps
- Initial Steps:
- Begin with a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven.
- Melt butter until just foamy.
- Sauté diced onions, celery, and carrots.
- Cook until vegetables soften.
- Add minced garlic until fragrant.
- Creating the Soup:
- Prepare roux carefully, cooking flour thoroughly.
- Gradually incorporate half and half and broth.
- Simmer until thickened.
- Add frozen gnocchi.
- Finish with shredded chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside warm crusty bread for soaking up the rich broth. A light mixed green salad provides fresh contrast. Optional garnishes include fresh grated parmesan and red pepper flakes for customization.
Recipe Variations
Enhance the basic recipe with sautéed mushrooms for earthiness. Fresh herbs like basil or oregano add brightness. Crispy bacon provides optional garnish. For vegetarian versions, substitute vegetable broth and additional vegetables for the chicken.
Cooking Notes
Proper gnocchi cooking timing prevents disintegration. Traditional Italian technique suggests adding a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the cream sauce. Experience has shown these small details significantly impact the final result.
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Storage Instructions
Store soup in airtight containers. Flavors develop further overnight. Reheat gently on stovetop, adding cream if needed. For freezing, prepare base without gnocchi and add fresh when reheating.
Professional Tips
Cook roux until nutty aroma develops.
Use warmed broth for smoother incorporation.
Allow adequate space for gnocchi cooking.
Adjust seasoning after adding cream.
This recipe demonstrates classic soup-making techniques while creating a memorable dish. The combination of proper ingredients and method produces consistently excellent results.
Focus on timing and temperature control for best outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I replace cooked chicken with rotisserie?
- Absolutely! It cuts down prep time and adds a nice flavor twist.
- → Which kind of gnocchi should I go for?
- Fresh or frozen options are best—they typically have fewer additives than the dried versions.
- → Is this soup freezable?
- Yep, it keeps up to three months in the freezer. Just know the texture of the dairy might become slightly different when reheated.
- → How long can leftovers be stored?
- You can refrigerate it for up to three days as long as it’s in an airtight storage container.
- → Can I switch out the herbs?
- Sure thing! Basil, parsley, or rosemary make great alternatives to thyme.