Ingredients for Chicken & Bacon Gnocchi Soup
Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make this comforting soup:
- 4 strips of bacon, chopped
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Directions for Making Chicken & Bacon Gnocchi Soup
- Cook the bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Leave about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pot.
- Cook the chicken: In the same pot, add the diced chicken. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside with the bacon.
- Sauté the veggies: Add the olive oil to the pot, along with the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened. Add the garlic, thyme, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Simmer the soup: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add the cream and gnocchi: Stir in the heavy cream, then add the gnocchi to the pot. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and cooked through. Be sure not to overcook the gnocchi, as they can become mushy.
- Add the spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until the spinach wilts.
- Finish the soup: Add the cooked chicken and bacon back into the pot. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread for the perfect comforting meal.
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
Here’s a quick list of the kitchen tools needed for this recipe:
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Slotted spoon
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Soup
- Don’t overcook the gnocchi: Gnocchi cooks quickly, so be sure to add them near the end of the cooking process to prevent them from becoming too soft or falling apart.
- Use rotisserie chicken: To save time, you can use cooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking fresh chicken breast. Simply shred the meat and add it when you stir the bacon back in.
- Thicken the soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can whisk 1 tablespoon of flour into the sautéed vegetables before adding the broth, or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) at the end of cooking.
- Add extra veggies: Feel free to add extra vegetables like mushrooms, peas, or zucchini to make this soup even heartier and more nutritious.
Recipe Variations
There are plenty of ways to tweak this recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few variation ideas:
- Dairy-free option: Replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version of this soup. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
- Vegetarian option: Skip the chicken and bacon altogether, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add more vegetables or plant-based protein like tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian take on the soup.
- Herb swaps: You can change up the herbs to suit your flavor preferences. Rosemary, oregano, or parsley are great alternatives to thyme and basil.