Slices of Granny Smith apple on a grilled cheese sandwich give this savory favorite sweet and tangy notes. I learned how to make this recipe from my mother, and it has since become one of my go-to quick meals. The tastiest apples are Granny Smith, and I enjoy using crispy seed bread.
| Prep Time: | 20 mins |
| Cook Time: | 20 mins |
| Total Time: | 40 mins |
| Servings: | 6 |
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 1 pound cooked, cubed chicken breast
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (16 ounce) package mini potato gnocchi
- 1 (6 ounce) bag baby spinach leaves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons cold water (Optional)
- 2 cups half-and-half cream
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients.
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- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in hot oil until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in cubed chicken and chicken broth; bring to a simmer.
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- Stir gnocchi into soup and cook until they begin to float, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
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- Whisk cornstarch into cold water in a measuring cup until smooth. Stir the cornstarch mixture and half-and-half into soup. Cook until soup thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
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- This soup is a great use of leftover chicken, but in my case, I just cooked chicken tenders that I seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 30 minutes, until done. Also, you can find gnocchi in the pasta section of your grocery store.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 398 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 24 g |
| Cholesterol | 112 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Protein | 30 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Sodium | 839 mg |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0 g |
Reviews
I bulk up the veggies and I use whole cream…! So yummy!!! Great for using up leftover chicken or rotisserie from the store…!!!
A go-to family favorite
Great simple hearty recipe! I make it in the crockpot for about 7 hours because it’s easier for me and put it on high the last hour and a half. If you’re feeling froggy you could add 1/2 LB cooked chopped bacon to really go to flavor town. But honestly, it’s a great simple healthy soup.
No changes made. Tempered the salt & pepper exactly to our liking. Used cornstarch slurry and upon reheating simply added a bit more chicken broth. Sooo yummy!
It turned out awesome. The only change I made was that I used 2 pounds of thigh meat instead of 1 pound of breast meat. I think the thigh has more flavor.
Made this as directed with the cornstarch and water addition. Awesome flavor! I did add Parmesan cheese when it was served. That took it over the top!
This is one of my favorite recipes! My boyfriend and I enjoy it so much! I do add bacon. Chop the bacon, fry it and add it to the recipe. Makes it so so delicious!! I leave in a little of the grease. I live in the pacific northwest where winters get cold. It is my go to soup for those cold winter nights. I even make it in the summer!! So so good! If you do not like this recipe, your taste buds are broken! Its also good for sniffles during cold season.
Very good soup, we loved it. I added some parmesan cheese to it and it was even better. Great quick dinner.
Used no salt added chicken broth. Added basil, oregano and salt free Dash garlic and herb. Also put some baby Bella mushrooms. Delicious!!
Perfect basic recipe For the negative reviewers, do you actually cook? If something isn’t to your liking add subtract at seasonings at will. I rarely use a measuring utensil, I grew up old school and have the hand god gave me for measuring. As to this recipe I added some herbs de’ provenance, basil, tsp of tarragon and thyme in addition to the original recipe. I also sweated some baby bella sliced mushrooms and added a pound of frozen baby sweet peas. I also used full fat heavy cream not half and half. and added another qt of chicken stock. To thicken i used (gasp) grated Parmesan cheese to desired thickness instead of starch and grated more for serving. However, I regret not using more bacon. It was delicious ! And, as my vent for my range hood blows outside my house towards my neighbors, they rang our bell and brought some lovely white wine, a crusty fresh baked bread and invited themselves to dinner. lol Sadly there were NO leftovers. So sorry there were no photos. 🙁 I may have to double to freeze some.
Very easy recipe, I used left over chicken. I did add celery seed as I was a little short of celery. Very yummy!
Little flavor.
I love Olive Garden soup, I made this and this was so good!
This is simple and delicious. For the ones who complained it lacks flavor, just add a little bit of oregano, fresh parsley and a few red pepper flakes and that’s it… not that it really needs anything else.
FANTASTIC as is…. if you had to change the recipe YOU are doing something wrong!!
I made this recipe for my Church Lent Soup Supper and every year I have been requested to make it! The only change I have made to the recipe is to add 1 teaspoon fresh thyme.
Sooooo good! No changes needed! Perfect, very filling and rich tasting! Thank you!
OMG!! I tried this and it taste just like the one at Olive Garden which is my favorite one . Now I don’t have to go there to enjoy it. When they would have soup & salad AYCE, I would tell them “just keep them coming “. Now I don’t have to be embarrassed about how many bowls I eat in the restaurant because how I can enjoy it in the comfort of my own home. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Also made this with my turkey leftovers and made my own broth from the bones. Added some shredded romano as well. Great soup!
I made a huge pot of this and it didn’t last 12 hours between 2 people! We love it as is and I will make it again in a few days!
I just made this and like it very much. Since I didn’t have fresh spinach I used frozen, drained but probably a little too much.. next time I’d use less. I didn’t use quite as much half and half, just enough to make it look creamy. Then as the professional cooks say, taste, taste. It lacked a little kick. I added a pinch of cayenne and little more black pepper. Then I added some grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect! The picture that this website posted showed whole baby carrots although the recipe says shredded which turned the broth orange.