Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food makeover! This Creamy Lightened Up Chicken Gnocchi Soup is about to become your new favorite one-pot wonder that proves healthy eating doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. Imagine a soul-warming soup that's packed with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a creamy broth that'll make you forget you're eating something nutritious. Perfect for those chilly evenings when you want something delicious and satisfying without the guilt!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Dice chicken breast into bite-sized cubes, finely chop onion, and mince garlic cloves. Measure out all other ingredients.
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray or add a small amount of olive oil.
- Add diced chicken to the pot, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and no longer pink in the center.
- Remove chicken from pot and set aside. In the same pot, add chopped onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and soft.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30-45 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot for extra flavor.
- Add gnocchi to the simmering broth. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until gnocchi float to the surface, indicating they are cooked.
- Return cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in almond milk and fresh spinach, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow soup to slightly thicken and flavors to meld together.
- Serve hot in bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Chicken Cooking Hack: Make sure to cook the chicken until it's golden brown to lock in maximum flavor before adding other ingredients.
- Garlic Alert: Be super careful when sautéing garlic - it burns quickly! 30-45 seconds is all you need to release its aromatic magic.
- Gnocchi Pro Tip: Wait until the gnocchi float to the surface of the broth - this is your signal that they're perfectly cooked.
- Milk Matters: Using almond milk keeps the soup lighter, but you can substitute with regular milk or a dairy-free alternative based on your preference.
- Flavor Booster: Don't skip scraping those browned bits from the bottom of the pot - they're packed with incredible depth of flavor.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This soup tastes even better the next day, so don't be afraid to make it in advance and reheat.
- Garnish Game: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a light dusting of Parmesan can take this soup from great to absolutely amazing!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 75mg
