Heartwarming Cozy Italian Chicken Soup Recipe For Cold Days

Comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty chicken soup with traditional Italian seasoning that warms you from the inside out.

Every spoonful carries rich, aromatic flavors passed down through generations.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among soft vegetables and perfectly cooked pasta.

Fragrant herbs dance through the broth, creating a melody of taste that feels like a warm embrace.

Garlic and parmesan cheese add depth and complexity to this soul-soothing dish.

Each ingredient tells a story of Italian countryside cooking.

Savor this recipe and let its comforting warmth transport you to a rustic kitchen in tuscany.

What Makes Italian Chicken Soup Cozy

• Whip up this hearty soup with minimal prep and easy-to-find ingredients, making dinner a breeze for busy families.
• Packed with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and nutritious vegetables, this soup delivers warm, satisfying flavors that hug your taste buds.
• Swap spinach for kale, use different proteins, or adjust seasonings to match your family's preferences, creating a flexible meal everyone will love.
• Loaded with protein from chicken, vitamins from vegetables, and comforting carbs from gnocchi, this soup offers a balanced and nourishing dinner option.

Italian Chicken Soup Ingredient Lineup

• Chicken: A protein-packed ingredient that adds heartiness and flavor to the soup.
• Gnocchi: Soft, pillowy potato dumplings that provide a comforting texture to the dish.
• Broth: The flavorful liquid base that creates the foundation of the soup.

• Celery, Onion, Carrots, Garlic: A classic vegetable blend that builds a rich and aromatic flavor profile for the soup.

• Half and Half: A creamy ingredient that adds richness and smoothness to the soup.
• Spinach: A nutritious green that brings color, freshness, and additional nutrients to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding a subtle, smooth flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the soup.

Equipment for Chicken Soup Prep

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering the entire soup, providing ample space for all ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping celery, onions, garlic, and carrots with ease and cleanliness.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring vegetables and mixing soup ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Crucial for accurately portioning broth, seasonings, and half and half.
• Ladle: Helps serve the soup smoothly and neatly into bowls.

Steps for Italian Chicken Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add chopped celery, diced onions, minced garlic, and sliced carrots.

Cook the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and slightly softened, which takes about 4-5 minutes.

Step 2: Build Soup Base and Add Protein

Introduce shredded or cubed chicken into the pot.

• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Dried thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then carefully add gnocchi.

Cook the gnocchi for 3-4 minutes until they start floating to the surface.

Step 3: Create Creamy Texture and Finish

Reduce heat to low and stir in half and half cream.

Gently fold in fresh spinach leaves and let them wilt for about 2 minutes.

Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed.

The result is a rich, velvety soup packed with flavor and comfort.

Italian Chicken Soup Tips

• Use fresh garlic and dice vegetables uniformly for even cooking and better flavor distribution.
• Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender, juicy meat that absorbs seasonings perfectly.
• Add gnocchi near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain their soft, pillowy texture.
• Use fresh baby spinach for a vibrant green color and delicate taste that wilts quickly in the warm soup.
• Temper the half and half by adding a small amount of hot soup liquid before pouring to prevent curdling.

Tasty Twists for Chicken Soup

• Gluten-Free Gnocchi Swap: Replace traditional wheat gnocchi with potato or cauliflower gnocchi for a gluten-free alternative that maintains the soup's creamy texture.
• Dairy-Free Comfort Version: Substitute half and half with coconut milk or unsweetened almond cream to create a lactose-free soup that's equally rich and satisfying.
• Vegetarian Protein Boost: Replace chicken with white beans, tofu, or plant-based chicken alternatives to keep the soup hearty and nutritious while eliminating meat.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Twist: Swap gnocchi with cauliflower florets or riced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrates and add extra vegetable nutrition to the soup.

How to Serve Chicken Soup

• Hearty Comfort Companion: Pair this warm soup with crusty Italian bread for soaking up the delicious broth and adding extra texture.
• Cozy Side Kick: Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top just before serving to enhance the rich, creamy flavors and add a salty punch.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley right before serving to bring a bright, aromatic element that lifts the entire dish's flavor profile.
• Wine Pairing Wonder: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or a light chardonnay to complement the soup's creamy and savory notes.

Italian Chicken Soup Storage Help

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Pro tip: Separate gnocchi from soup before freezing to maintain its texture.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Check temperature before serving.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this soup different from traditional chicken soup?

This soup stands out with its use of soft, pillowy gnocchi instead of regular noodles, creating a more comforting and hearty texture that transforms a classic chicken soup into something special.

• Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Yes, the recipe includes protein from chicken, vegetables like spinach and carrots for nutrients, and gnocchi for carbohydrates, making it a well-rounded meal that provides multiple food groups in one delicious dish.

• Can I make this soup if I'm not an experienced cook?

Absolutely! This recipe is beginner-friendly with simple steps like sautéing vegetables, adding ingredients to a pot, and letting everything simmer, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.

Cozy Italian Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comforting chicken noodle soup from Italy wraps warmth around classic hearty ingredients. Simple preparation and rich flavors make this traditional recipe perfect for home cooks seeking authentic Mediterranean comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
• 16 ounces (454 grams) potato gnocchi
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) half and half
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) low sodium chicken broth

Vegetables:

• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 1/2 cup (64 grams) shredded carrots
• 1 cup (30 grams) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) minced garlic

Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, creating a sizzling base for aromatic vegetables. Introduce diced celery, onion, minced garlic, and carrots, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Incorporate chicken, broth, and selected seasonings into the vegetable mixture. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then carefully add gnocchi. Allow gnocchi to cook for 3-4 minutes, then reduce heat and let the soup simmer, developing rich flavors for 10 minutes.
3. Stream in half and half, creating a creamy texture. Gently fold fresh spinach into the soup, cooking until leaves wilt and become tender, roughly 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Notes

• Swap out gnocchi for gluten-free alternatives like cauliflower gnocchi or zucchini noodles to make the soup celiac-friendly.
• Enhance protein content by using rotisserie chicken or adding white beans for a more hearty vegetarian version.
• Control sodium levels by selecting low-sodium broth and adjusting salt gradually during cooking to suit personal taste preferences.
• Boost nutritional value by incorporating additional vegetables like kale or Swiss chard for extra vitamins and minerals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg