Description

This cozy one-pot creamy chicken gnocchi soup combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, pillowy gnocchi, and melted cheddar in a single pot. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or using leftover rotisserie chicken, this comforting bowl delivers rich flavor with minimal cleanup. Garnish with crispy bacon and fresh herbs, serve with crusty bread, and enjoy a heartwarming meal that feels like home.

Ingredients

Scale

2–3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or fresh)

6 slices bacon, chopped

1 pound potato or cauliflower gnocchi

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1 medium onion, diced

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 carrots, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)

1 teaspoon fresh thyme or Italian seasoning

Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy, reserving half for garnish and leaving the fat in the pot

2. Add butter to the bacon fat, then sauté diced onion, celery, and carrots until softened, about 5 minutes

3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant

4. Pour in chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, then bring to a gentle simmer

5. Add shredded chicken and thyme, simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors

6. Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream, then gently add gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface, about 3–5 minutes

7. Gradually stir in shredded cheddar until melted and smooth, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper

8. If using spinach or kale, stir in until wilted

9. Ladle soup into bowls, top with reserved bacon and additional cheddar or herbs if desired

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: One-Pot
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl

Keywords: one-pot, creamy-soup, chicken-gnocchi, bacon-cheddar, comfort-food, leftover-chicken, potluck-soup, easy-dinner