The ultimate chicken soup that's both comforting as well as sophisticated enough to serve to company. I've labeled it easy if you follow the recipe as is.
I would label this recipe as difficult, if you decide to try making gnocchi from scratch. Once you start making gnocchi yourself, though, you would graduate to medium after about three or four batches of gnocchi. By then, you'd be able to feel the dough and know how it's doing. Similar to master bread bakers with bread dough. So, gear up and let's make some soup.
Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup onion, finely diced
1/3 cup celery, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup carrots, finely shredded
1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp Italian herbs
1/2 tsp parsley
1 lb gnocchi - look in the gourmet section of your supermarket (You can try to make the gnocchi yourself, but I'll stick with the convenience of pre-made)
2 cups half and half (or cream)
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
Dice chicken. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil, in a 3-quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until done. Remove from pot and set aside.
Sauté the onion, celery, garlic, carrots and spinach in the remaining olive oil until the onion is nearly translucent.
Add in the chicken, chicken broth, and spices. Cover with the lid and bring to a boil. Slowly add in the gnocchi, making sure they go below the surface of the broth. If you stir, do it gently, so that you don't break up the gnocchi (this is super important if you are using homemade gnochhi).
Turn down the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. This is the point where you may want to place your soup bowls (if they are ovenproof) onto a sheet pan. Place pan into the oven and set oven to 200°F to warm the bowls.
Add the half and half (or cream). If you want a thicker soup, add 1 Tbsp corn starch to it before you adding into the broth. Bring soup just barely to a boil and turn off the heat (cream-based recipes shouldn't boil for any length of time).
Ladle soup into warmed bowls. You can add freshly grated parmesan to the top or pass a bowl of freshly grated parmesan at the table so your guests can garnish the soup themselves.
Here's a reference for homemade Gnocchi - If you are brave enough to try, click this link on how to make gnocchi.
Enjoy!
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