Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 stick of celery, diced
• ½ cup carrots, julienned
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 4 cups chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 2 cups diced cooked chicken
• 16 oz. potato gnocchi, (in the pasta isle)
• 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onions, celery, and carrots and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
4. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes, until the flour begins to turn a golden color.
5. Add the chicken broth and half and half in splashes, stirring to incorporate. Don’t add it too quickly or you will break the roux.
6. Add the thyme and mustard powder.
7. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the broth.
8. Bring it to a gentle boil. (If you boil too rapidly, the chicken will become tough.) Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 10-15 minutes. (This depends on the thickness of the chicken.)
9. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes, then dice it and add it back to the soup.
10. Let the soup simmer until desired consistency is obtained, it will continue to thicken.
11. Add the gnocchi and simmer for about 5 minutes, refer to package instructions for exact amount of time.
12. Reduce heat to low and add the spinach, red pepper flakes, and any salt/pepper to taste.
13. Simmer until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.
14. Serve!

Recipe Notes

The recipe notes that the soup will thicken as it simmers. It also suggests using sliced or ground sausage instead of chicken. Mustard powder is mentioned as an ingredient that enhances flavor without being directly tasted. The recipe is also available on page 54 of the author's cookbook, Let's Eat!

User Feedback

The comments are overwhelmingly positive, with many users praising the recipe as being better than Olive Garden's version. People have made modifications like adding sausage or Italian seasoning, and the recipe is noted for being easy to make and a hit with families.