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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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