Chicken Gnocchi Soup Healthy No Cream Wellplated Com

This rich, thick, and creamy soup with plump rounds of gnocchi, tender chunks of chicken, and a sneaky number of vegetables, is a healthy take on the Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup that was the pinnacle of my high school dining experience (along with this Broccoli Cheddar Soup that’s reminiscent of Panera’s). When you are 15, does it get much better than soup made with primarily heavy cream and a side of all-you-can-eat breadsticks to go with it? Only if you order the chicken alfredo too! (For another healthy spin on Olive Garden copycat recipes, check out this Chicken Alfredo Bake.) Fast forward a couple of decades, and here I am, still craving the comfort of chicken gnocchi soup…but without the hefty number of calories. That’s where this lightened-up chicken gnocchi soup recipe comes in:

Like the Olive Garden original that inspired it, this copycat recipe is decadently creamy. It will warm your belly and your soul on even the chilliest night.Unlike the original, this chicken gnocchi soup is made of lighter ingredients (just like this Healthy Chicken Pot Pie), including spinach, carrots, chicken breast, potato gnocchi, and evaporated milk in place of heavy cream and bacon.

How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This easy and healthy soup is still filling (like my favorite Healthy Turkey Chili), so a moderately sized bowl will tuck you in. Like pasta, you can serve it with a variety of sauces and toppings, and of course, use it to make the most delicious spin on chicken soup. (Though for a traditional version of chicken soup with pasta, try this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup.) Added bonus? It comes together fast enough to be weeknight appropriate. And what weeknight wouldn’t benefit from a steaming bowl of pure comfort?

The Ingredients

Gnocchi. To make this soup fast and easy enough for a weeknight, we are using my favorite ready-made, quick-cooking gnocchi: DeLallo Potato Gnocchi.

Chicken Breast. For lean protein, I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The chicken adds rich flavor to the soup and helps make it super satisfying. (This Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is another satisfying favorite.)

Carrots + Celery + Onion. Frequently referred to as a mirepoix, this combination of ingredients helps build the soup’s flavor right from the start. Plus, they’re all good for you too!Evaporated Milk + Cornstarch. My sneaky swap for heavy cream also lets me avoid making a roux with flour. Instead, a slurry with evaporated milk and cornstarch thickens the soup like a dream but with less saturated fat and cholesterol than heavy cream.Spices. Italian seasoning, dried thyme, and poultry seasoning enhance the flavors of the soup, add wonderful earthiness, and give it Italian flair (like my Crockpot Lasagna Soup). A dash of celery salt adds saltiness with a special touch, and black pepper is always delicious.

Chicken Broth. The main liquid for our soup. I like to use low sodium chicken broth.Baby Spinach. The spinach is barely noticeable once it’s stirred into the soup. However, you will still reap the nutritional benefits from it. Spinach is rich in fiber and vitamins.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Gently reheat soup in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding splashes of broth or water as needed to thin the soup. You can also reheat leftovers in the microwave. To Freeze. Chicken gnocchi soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze soup in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Stockpot. Standard for all your soup simmering needs when the cold weather arrives.Dutch Oven. Another great option for making large batches of soup on the stovetop. Chef’s Knife. Essential for everyday chopping, dicing, and mincing.

If you’ve been looking for a bowl of soup that tastes like a warm hug, look no further! Good store-bought gnocchi is melt-in-your-mouth tender; bad gnocchi is chewy and gummy. Don’t waste your time on bad gnocchi. (This One Skillet Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Italian Sausage is another weeknight favorite with gnocchi.) You could also skip cooking raw chicken breasts and opt to add cooked shredded chicken (see this How to Cook Shredded Chicken post) or use rotisserie chicken from the deli instead. If you prefer it thinner, stir in additional chicken broth, milk, or water until you reach your desired consistency.

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