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Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Featured in Comforting Bowls.

This Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup combines pillowy potato gnocchi with lemon-infused baked chicken and tender kale in a rich, herb-seasoned cream broth. The recipe starts with chicken breasts baked with fresh lemon slices and zest, then combines them with potato gnocchi in a velvety broth made with heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and fresh thyme. What makes this soup special is the bright citrus notes from fresh lemon that complement the rich, creamy base. The recipe is adaptable with options for gluten-free and vegan variations, and can be made with either store-bought or homemade gnocchi.
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Updated on Wed, 22 Jan 2025 16:02:00 GMT
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Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup | quickierecipe.com

This comforting Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup combines tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, and bright citrus notes in a velvety, satisfying broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, this soul-warming soup proves that comfort food can be both hearty and refreshing.

On a particularly cold evening, I served this soup to friends who had just moved to town. The way it brought warmth and comfort to our gathering while sparking conversation about favorite comfort foods made it an instant keeper in my recipe collection.

Essential Ingredients - Your Building Blocks

  • Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless thighs for extra tenderness and flavor
  • Gnocchi: Fresh or shelf-stable both work beautifully - look for potato gnocchi for the best texture
  • Lemon: Both zest and juice are crucial - use fresh lemons for the brightest flavor
  • Kale: Choose tender young leaves, removing any tough stems
  • Aromatics: Fresh garlic and onion create an essential flavor foundation

Creating Your Perfect Pot

Step 1 - Start Your Base:
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Season and brown chicken pieces until golden. Remove chicken and set aside while building soup base.
Step 2 - Build Your Flavors:
Sauté onions until translucent and fragrant. Add garlic and cook just until aromatic. Incorporate flour to create a light roux for thickening.
Step 3 - Create Your Soup:
Slowly add broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Return chicken to pot and simmer until tender. Add gnocchi and cook just until they float.
Step 4 - Perfect The Finish:
Stir in kale until wilted. Add cream and lemon juice off heat. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Easy Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup Pin it
Easy Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup | quickierecipe.com

My family discovered that a sprinkle of crispy bacon on top takes this soup to another level. The combination of smokiness with the lemon creates an unexpected but delightful contrast.

Versatility and Storage

This soup has become my go-to for new parents in our community. Its bright flavors and easy eating make it perfect for those busy early days of parenthood.

I love making a double batch and freezing portions (without the gnocchi) for quick weeknight dinners. Just add fresh gnocchi while reheating for perfect texture every time.

The versatility of this recipe continues to amaze me - it's equally at home at a casual family dinner or an elegant dinner party.

The way this soup combines Italian and American comfort food traditions creates something uniquely satisfying that appeals to all ages.

Yummy Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup Pin it
Yummy Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup | quickierecipe.com

After countless bowls of this soup, I've found it's not just about the warmth it provides, but the way it brightens even the dreariest winter day. The combination of tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and bright lemon creates something truly special that keeps people coming back for more.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this soup gluten-free?
Yes, simply use gluten-free gnocchi and ensure other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
→ How can I make this soup vegan?
Replace chicken with vegetables, use vegan butter, coconut cream, and vegan cheese alternatives.
→ Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, it can be frozen for 4-6 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
→ What is the All-Purpose Blend?
It's a mix of black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, thyme, and parsley.
→ How long do leftovers last?
Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days for optimal freshness.

Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A luxurious soup featuring tender potato gnocchi, lemon-baked chicken, and kale in a creamy herb-infused broth.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Baked Lemon Chicken

01 Organic chicken breasts, 2 pounds
02 Extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons
03 Fresh lemon, thinly sliced, 1
04 Fresh lemon zest, 1 teaspoon
05 Sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste

→ Soup Base

06 Potato gnocchi (homemade or store-bought), 16 ounces
07 Unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons
08 Fresh garlic cloves, minced, 4
09 Fresh thyme sprigs, 4
10 All-purpose seasoning blend, 2 teaspoons
11 Sea salt, 1 teaspoon

→ Soup Finishing

12 Organic all-purpose flour, 4 tablespoons
13 Organic chicken stock/broth, 5 cups
14 Fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
15 Fresh lemon zest, 1 teaspoon
16 Organic heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups
17 Fresh kale, de-stemmed and chopped, 2 cups
18 Freshly-grated parmesan cheese, 1 cup

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place seasoned chicken breasts on a lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Top with lemon zest and slices. Bake 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through. Cool slightly before slicing.

Step 02

In a dutch oven over medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in flour, salt, and all-purpose seasoning blend until well combined.

Step 03

Gradually add chicken stock, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add heavy cream, lemon juice, zest, kale, thyme sprigs, sliced chicken, and gnocchi. Simmer 10-12 minutes until gnocchi floats and is tender.

Step 04

Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Simmer additional 1-2 minutes. Remove thyme sprigs before serving hot, optionally with bread or salad.

Notes

  1. Leftovers keep for 2-3 days refrigerated or 4-6 months frozen
  2. Recipe can be made gluten-free by using GF gnocchi and ensuring other ingredients are GF-certified
  3. For vegan version, substitute chicken with plant-based alternatives and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream
  4. All-purpose blend can be made with equal parts black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried parsley

Tools You'll Need

  • Dutch oven or large pot
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper or foil
  • Grater for cheese and lemon zest

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter, heavy cream, parmesan)
  • Contains gluten (flour, gnocchi)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 844
  • Total Fat: 59 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 61 g