Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup Easy Weeknight Meal

August 1, 2025 by Rachel

Looking for a quick and tasty weeknight dinner? Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup hits the spot! With fresh veggies, savory chicken, and a bright lemon twist, this meal is both comforting and simple to make. I’ll guide you through easy steps, essential ingredients, and even clever tips to make it your own. Get ready to impress your family with this delicious soup that warms the heart!

Ingredients

Essential Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 1 medium onion, diced

– 2 garlic cloves, minced

– 2 carrots, diced

– 2 celery stalks, diced

– 4 cups chicken broth

– 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken

– 1 teaspoon dried thyme

– 1 teaspoon dried oregano

– Salt and pepper to taste

When you make creamy lemon chicken gnocchi soup, start with olive oil. This oil adds flavor and helps cook the vegetables. I like to use a medium onion, diced finely. The onion gives the soup a sweet base. Next, add two minced garlic cloves for a nice aroma.

You will need two diced carrots and two diced celery stalks. These veggies add color and crunch. For the soup’s heartiness, include four cups of chicken broth. This broth brings everything together. Two cups of cooked, shredded chicken add protein and make the soup filling.

To season the soup, I use one teaspoon each of dried thyme and oregano. These herbs provide warmth and depth. Don’t forget salt and pepper to taste. These simple seasonings make a big difference.

Dairy and Gnocchi

– 1 cup heavy cream

– 1 pound gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)

– 1 lemon (zested and juiced)

For the creamy part of the soup, use one cup of heavy cream. This gives the soup its rich texture. You can choose one pound of gnocchi. You can buy it or make it at home. Store-bought gnocchi saves time. Homemade gnocchi adds a special touch.

A fresh lemon is key for flavor. Use the zest for a bright taste and the juice to balance the creaminess. Lemon adds a lovely zing that makes the soup shine.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Base of the Soup

Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté it until it looks clear, which takes about 3-4 minutes. Next, stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery. Cook these for about 5 minutes until they get soft. This mix gives the soup a great foundation.

Combining Broth and Chicken

Now, pour in the chicken broth and add the shredded chicken. Sprinkle in the thyme and oregano. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. The herbs will add lovely flavors that make the soup taste amazing.

Cooking the Gnocchi and Final Touches

When the broth is simmering, it’s time to add the gnocchi. Cook them according to the package instructions, usually about 2-3 minutes until they float. Once they are ready, lower the heat. Then, stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix everything well until it’s heated through. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Enjoy this comforting dish!

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting Your Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

To make this soup shine, start with seasoning. Taste the soup as you cook. Add salt and pepper slowly. This will help you find the right balance.

Lemon is key. It adds brightness, but too much can overpower. I suggest starting with half the lemon juice. Then, taste and add more if you like. Zest is also important. It gives a strong lemon flavor without the tartness.

Enhancements for Better Texture and Flavor

Adding vegetables boosts nutrition. You can toss in spinach or peas at the end. They add color and fiber.

If you want to switch things up, try different proteins. Shrimp or turkey work well. They change the flavor and keep it exciting. You can even use beans for a vegetarian twist. Just make sure to cook them properly before adding to the soup.

Variations

Dietary Modifications

If you need gluten-free options, look for gluten-free gnocchi. Many brands offer this choice. You can also make gnocchi from scratch using gluten-free flour. This way, everyone can enjoy the dish.

For those who want a dairy-free version, consider using coconut cream or cashew cream. These options give a nice creamy texture without dairy. You can also use almond milk for a lighter alternative. Just make sure to adjust the seasoning to suit the change in flavor.

Flavor Enhancements

To boost the flavor of your soup, try adding fresh herbs like dill or basil. These herbs brighten the dish and add depth. You can stir them in just before serving.

For some heat, add red pepper flakes. A pinch goes a long way. It adds a nice kick to the creamy soup. You can adjust the amount based on how spicy you like it. These enhancements make your Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup even more delicious.

Storage Info

Best Practices for Storing Soup

To keep your creamy lemon chicken gnocchi soup fresh, use these tips:

– Refrigeration: Store the soup in an airtight container. It lasts up to 3 days in the fridge.

– Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the soup. Use freezer-safe containers. It stays good for up to 3 months.

When freezing, leave space at the top of the container. This allows for expansion as the soup freezes.

Reheating Tips

When it’s time to enjoy your soup again, here are the best ways to reheat it:

– Stovetop: Pour the soup into a pot. Heat it over medium heat. Stir often to keep it from sticking.

– Microwave: Place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between.

After refrigeration or freezing, you may need to add a splash of broth or cream. This helps restore the soup’s creamy texture.

FAQs

Common Questions About Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use leftover chicken. It saves time and adds flavor. Just shred your chicken and add it to the pot with the broth. The soup will still taste great!

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

If you want to skip heavy cream, you can use half-and-half or coconut milk. Both will keep the soup creamy. Just remember that coconut milk adds a slight coconut taste.

Troubleshooting and Tips

Why is my soup too thick?

If your soup is too thick, you can add more chicken broth. Start with a half cup and mix well. This will help you get the right consistency without losing flavor.

Can I add more vegetables to the soup?

Absolutely! You can add spinach, peas, or zucchini. Just chop them small and add them when you add the gnocchi. This adds nutrition and color to your soup.

This blog post guides you through making a delicious creamy lemon chicken gnocchi soup. You learned about key ingredients like fresh veggies, chicken, and creamy elements that add flavor. I shared step-by-step instructions to help you prepare the soup perfectly. Don’t forget my tips on enhancing texture and flavor with spices or vegetables! Remember, there are many ways to customize this recipe to fit your needs. Enjoy making this comforting dish and share it with others! Your kitchen will love this tasty treat.

$- 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 medium onion, diced - 2 garlic cloves, minced - 2 carrots, diced - 2 celery stalks, diced - 4 cups chicken broth - 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper to taste When you make creamy lemon chicken gnocchi soup, start with olive oil. This oil adds flavor and helps cook the vegetables. I like to use a medium onion, diced finely. The onion gives the soup a sweet base. Next, add two minced garlic cloves for a nice aroma. You will need two diced carrots and two diced celery stalks. These veggies add color and crunch. For the soup’s heartiness, include four cups of chicken broth. This broth brings everything together. Two cups of cooked, shredded chicken add protein and make the soup filling. To season the soup, I use one teaspoon each of dried thyme and oregano. These herbs provide warmth and depth. Don’t forget salt and pepper to taste. These simple seasonings make a big difference. - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 pound gnocchi (store-bought or homemade) - 1 lemon (zested and juiced) For the creamy part of the soup, use one cup of heavy cream. This gives the soup its rich texture. You can choose one pound of gnocchi. You can buy it or make it at home. Store-bought gnocchi saves time. Homemade gnocchi adds a special touch. A fresh lemon is key for flavor. Use the zest for a bright taste and the juice to balance the creaminess. Lemon adds a lovely zing that makes the soup shine. Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté it until it looks clear, which takes about 3-4 minutes. Next, stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery. Cook these for about 5 minutes until they get soft. This mix gives the soup a great foundation. Now, pour in the chicken broth and add the shredded chicken. Sprinkle in the thyme and oregano. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. The herbs will add lovely flavors that make the soup taste amazing. When the broth is simmering, it’s time to add the gnocchi. Cook them according to the package instructions, usually about 2-3 minutes until they float. Once they are ready, lower the heat. Then, stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix everything well until it’s heated through. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Enjoy this comforting dish! To make this soup shine, start with seasoning. Taste the soup as you cook. Add salt and pepper slowly. This will help you find the right balance. Lemon is key. It adds brightness, but too much can overpower. I suggest starting with half the lemon juice. Then, taste and add more if you like. Zest is also important. It gives a strong lemon flavor without the tartness. Adding vegetables boosts nutrition. You can toss in spinach or peas at the end. They add color and fiber. If you want to switch things up, try different proteins. Shrimp or turkey work well. They change the flavor and keep it exciting. You can even use beans for a vegetarian twist. Just make sure to cook them properly before adding to the soup. {{image_2}} If you need gluten-free options, look for gluten-free gnocchi. Many brands offer this choice. You can also make gnocchi from scratch using gluten-free flour. This way, everyone can enjoy the dish. For those who want a dairy-free version, consider using coconut cream or cashew cream. These options give a nice creamy texture without dairy. You can also use almond milk for a lighter alternative. Just make sure to adjust the seasoning to suit the change in flavor. To boost the flavor of your soup, try adding fresh herbs like dill or basil. These herbs brighten the dish and add depth. You can stir them in just before serving. For some heat, add red pepper flakes. A pinch goes a long way. It adds a nice kick to the creamy soup. You can adjust the amount based on how spicy you like it. These enhancements make your Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup even more delicious. To keep your creamy lemon chicken gnocchi soup fresh, use these tips: - Refrigeration: Store the soup in an airtight container. It lasts up to 3 days in the fridge. - Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the soup. Use freezer-safe containers. It stays good for up to 3 months. When freezing, leave space at the top of the container. This allows for expansion as the soup freezes. When it's time to enjoy your soup again, here are the best ways to reheat it: - Stovetop: Pour the soup into a pot. Heat it over medium heat. Stir often to keep it from sticking. - Microwave: Place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. After refrigeration or freezing, you may need to add a splash of broth or cream. This helps restore the soup's creamy texture. Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe? Yes, you can use leftover chicken. It saves time and adds flavor. Just shred your chicken and add it to the pot with the broth. The soup will still taste great! What can I substitute for heavy cream? If you want to skip heavy cream, you can use half-and-half or coconut milk. Both will keep the soup creamy. Just remember that coconut milk adds a slight coconut taste. Why is my soup too thick? If your soup is too thick, you can add more chicken broth. Start with a half cup and mix well. This will help you get the right consistency without losing flavor. Can I add more vegetables to the soup? Absolutely! You can add spinach, peas, or zucchini. Just chop them small and add them when you add the gnocchi. This adds nutrition and color to your soup. This blog post guides you through making a delicious creamy lemon chicken gnocchi soup. You learned about key ingredients like fresh veggies, chicken, and creamy elements that add flavor. I shared step-by-step instructions to help you prepare the soup perfectly. Don’t forget my tips on enhancing texture and flavor with spices or vegetables! Remember, there are many ways to customize this recipe to fit your needs. Enjoy making this comforting dish and share it with others! Your kitchen will love this tasty treat.$