Description
A rich, creamy, and comforting soup that brings together crispy bacon, tender chicken, and pillowy gnocchi in a velvety broth. This one-pot meal is perfect for chilly nights, busy weeknights, or whenever you crave something satisfying and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 (16-ounce) package potato gnocchi
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Cook the Bacon
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon drippings in the pot.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery in the bacon drippings for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
3. Build the Broth
- Add shredded chicken, thyme, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for a few minutes.
4. Cook the Gnocchi
- Add the gnocchi to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they float to the top.
5. Make It Creamy
- Stir in the heavy cream and add the baby spinach, allowing it to wilt.
- Sprinkle in the cooked bacon and Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine.
6. Serve & Enjoy
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra bacon and Parmesan.
- Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Lighter Option: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap heavy cream for coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free gnocchi.
- Thicker Soup: Blend a portion of the soup before adding it back to the pot or simmer uncovered for an extra 5-10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American