Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Indulge in the cozy comforts of winter with our Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe. This hearty dish brings together the best of the season's flavors, featuring juicy, tender chicken, fluffy, pillowy gnocchi, kale and the bright zest of lemon. All swimming in a luxurious creamy base from a velvety blend of heavy cream, chicken stock + Parmesan cheese, adding depth to every spoonful. Get ready to warm your soul with each comforting bite! Gluten-free + Vegan Option.

You might have caught on to my love for tossing gnocchi into soups like my 'Marry Me’ Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup and Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup. I’ve been all about embracing the cozy winter vibes before spring sneaks in. This Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe? It’s everything I adore about this time of year—nourishing, tangy with lemon, and oh-so-creamy and comforting. Perfect for those chilly days!

Gnocchi is my absolute favorite for adding some substance to a dish; its fluffy, pillowy texture is just irresistible! If you're a fan like me, you've got to give my Baked Tuscan Chicken and Gnocchi, Skillet Baked Cheesy Pumpkin Gnocchi, and Skillet Baked Cheesy Pumpkin Gnocchi dishes a try next! They're sure to be a hit!

Overall, this creamy winter soup is creamy, velvety + flavorful. It's definitely family-friendly, comfort food in a bowl, includes simple steps, and can totally be personalized based on preference----i.e. sub with your favorite side dish or eat without meat by just enjoying it with the gnocchi or substitute with something more "meaty" like tortellini. Can also be made using vegan or gluten-free ingredients for those who are sensitive to specific ingredients. Be sure to see this beauty (and other recipes) come to life via IG Reels for a nice visual!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Once you make and eat this Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup—– you’ll fall in absolute love. Haha. More importantly, here are also the reasons why you’ll love it the most:

• It’s super easy to make.
• Makes for a great weeknight meal or laidback weekend with a full vegan + gluten-free option.
• So creamy and full of texture.
• Great for meal prepping and make aheads for the week!
• Super flavorful. Bold and warm flavors!
• Perfect Fall + Winter vibes!
• Did I mention, it’s just delicious?

How to Make Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

To make this creamy gnocchi soup, you'll start by baking you lemon chicken, if you. Then to finish the soup, you'll need a pot on the stove to sauté the garlic followed by the flour and seasonings. The chicken, chopped kale, gnocchi, along with the remaining ingredients go into the pot for the soup. Let it simmer a bit more, add the cheese, and wallah! Nice, creamy results.

Ingredients

Here's what you need to make this Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home:

BAKED LEMON CHICKEN:

• Organic chicken breasts. One of the stars of this dish. I decided to cut them thinly after it was cooked for a nice bite.
• Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Lemon + lemon zest.
• Sea salt + black pepper. To taste

SOUP:

• Potato gnocchi. You can make them yourself or purchase a quality store-bought version from Delallo Foods. For a gluten-free version, simply use gluten-free gnocchi.
• Butter. I recommend unsalted. You can always substitute with olive oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil. For a vegan option, use vegan butter.
• Garlic cloves. I prefer fresh, but you could substitute with garlic powder in a pinch.
• Herbs + Spices. Thyme sprigs, sea salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried parsley, dried basil + garlic powder
• All-purpose flour. Used for the thickening of soup. You can sub with GF flour for that option.
• Chicken stock/broth. Use store-bought low-sodium broth or make your own! For vegan option, use veggie stock.
• Lemon + lemon zest. Freshly-squeezed.
• Heavy cream. I recommend organic–always! Of course, for a vegan option, just use full-fat coconut cream/milk. Organic Valley is my go-to brand!
• Kale. de-stemmed + chopped.
• Parmesan cheese. I love to freshly grate my cheese, however, you can use your favorite shredded brand---quality does matter! For a vegan option, So Delicious Dairy-Free or Violife cheese shreds taste great.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS GNOCCHI DISH!

Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Tips For Making Good Soup Every Time:

Now, if you're intimidated with making soup or are concerned that it won't turn out as delicious, no worries. In my experience with making many different types of soup and watching the adults around me make a TON of soup (it's a staple in the Jamaican culture), I've learned a few things along the way that can help you make really good soup, including this Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe.

• Chop your veggies and ingredients into bite-sized pieces for greater ease when eating.
• ALWAYS sauté your veggies, especially the garlic, onions, etc.
• Make your own stock if you can or use water as your base with seasonings + herbs for a great taste. If using store-bought stock/broth, always purchase high-quality ones.
• Let it simmer. While you might be tempted to cook your soup on high for a faster cook time, it's definitely BEST to let everything simmer and allow the flavors to "fuse" together slowly.
• If using meat, always sear your meat in the pot first prior to adding it to the soup to cook the rest of the way.
• If adding dairy or an alternative, always stir it in last or during the final few minutes.
• To thicken (if needed), always mix your thickener (flour, arrowroot, starch, etc.) in a small bowl with some of the hot broth from your soup before adding it to the entire pot of soup. This prevents lumps and gives you a nice creaminess.

What is Gnocchi and How Do You Make It?

Gnocchi are basically Italian dumplings made with flour, eggs, and potatoes---unless they are egg-free like this one that I purchased from Delallo foods. When it comes to making your own gnocchi, the process is done is fairly a few steps. It starts with boiling and mashing the potatoes, combining the ingredients together and kneading them into a ball, shaping the dough, cutting them into pieces, and boiling and draining the gnocchi. For a great recipe, check out AllRecipes.com.

Topping Ideas for Creamy Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

While I love this Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup dinner as-is, straight from the pot, you can dress it up with toppings if you like.

For extra flavor, color, and texture, you can try:

• Candied bacon (If you eat meat)
• Dollops of Pesto Sauce
• Chopped nuts, such as toasted pecans or walnuts
• Homemade croutons
• Sliced jalapeños for a bit more heat
• Herb roasted tomatoes
• Roasted pumpkin seeds for texture
• More parmesan cheese
• Crispy sage leaves
• Toasted panko bread crumbs

Best Sides To Enjoy With This Winter Chicken Soup

• Homemade Texas Toast Garlic Bread
• Homemade Roasted Garlic Bread
• Fall Harvest BBQ Chickpea Kale Salad
• Sautéed Lemon Garlic Herb Green Beans
• Brown Butter Pumpkin Cornbread

How to Thicken Soup in General

While many soups are thickened for texture, what you use as a thickening agent is solely up to you. All in all, it depends on how you like it! Use 1 tablespoon at a time mixed with 1 tablespoon of water to dilute. Then pour the mixture into the soup, simmering for an additional few minutes to activate the thickener.

Why Won't My Cheese Melt in the Soup?

It's so important to use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the creamiest results in your creamy chicken gnocchi soup. While you can use shredded cheese, it won't melt as seamlessly because it has a special "coating", which prevents it from melting smoothly.

NOTE: If you only have shredded cheese, then I recommend adding it the soup while it's simmering in the last 5 minutes or so, stirring until melted and then topping it immediately after serving it into bowl(s).

Common Q + A's For Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

More Comforting Soup Recipes to Try this Season!

Now that you've fallen in love with this Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe, put to good use some more Winter ingredients with these family-friendly recipes.

• Creamy Roasted Garlic Tortellini Soup
• Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup
• Creamy Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Chickpea Soup
• Apple Cheddar Sweet Potato Soup
• Loaded Vegan Veggie Soup
• Easy Flavorful Rigatoni Meatball Soup
• Creamy Lemon Broccoli Tortellini Soup

Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup

February 22, 2024 •

By Shanika

5 from 1 vote

Indulge in the cozy comforts of winter with our Creamy Winter Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup. This hearty dish brings together the best of the season's flavors, featuring juicy, tender chicken, fluffy, pillowy gnocchi, and the bright zest of lemon. All swimming in a luxurious creamy base from a velvety blend of heavy cream, chicken stock + Parmesan cheese, adding depth to every spoonful. Get ready to warm your soul with each comforting bite! Gluten-free + Vegan Option.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Serves: 4 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

BAKED LEMON CHICKEN:

• 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts
• 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced thin
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Sea salt + black pepper, to taste

SOUP:

• 1 (16 oz.) package potato gnocchi, homemade or store-bought  (I like to use Delallo foods)
• 2 Tbsps unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon  dried basil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 Tbsps organic all-purpose flour
• 5 cups organic chicken stock/broth
• 1 lemon, freshly-squeezed
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 ½ cups organic heavy cream
• 2 cups organic kale, de-stemmed + chopped
• 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

TO MAKE THE BAKED LEMON CHICKEN:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
• Line seasoned chicken breast (side by side) unto prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of room in between each one. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt + black pepper. Add lemon zest atop chicken and place lemon slices atop and in between chicken as well.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked through on the inside. NOTE: Be sure to turn the breasts unto their opposite side halfway through the baking time.
• Remove from oven and let them cool until safe to handle. Once cool enough, slice chicken breasts into medium-thin pieces.

TO MAKE THE SOUP:

• In a medium-sized dutch oven pot over medium high-heat, add the butter. Once heated and the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, parsley, and basil, stirring until combined.
• Add in the chicken stock, stirring frequently to avoid lumping until thickened. Add in the heavy cream, lemon juice, zest, chopped kale, thyme sprigs, baked lemon chicken slices, and gnocchi, stirring to combine. Let everything simmer for about 10-12 minutes or until the gnocchi is fully cooked through, floats to the top, and tender.
• Add in the grated parmesan, stirring until cheese has melted and the soup becomes creamy. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes.
• Remove from heat, discard thyme leaves, and serve immediately into prepared bowl(s), top with a side of bread or salad, if desired.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Leftovers can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, for optimal freshness. Can also be frozen for 4-6 months. To defrost, simply place soup in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature before re-heating on the stove top to serve.
• SPICES/HERBS: If desired, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in spice/herb flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
• HOMEMADE GNOCCHI: To see how to make your own gnocchi, see my post for details!
• GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make this soup GF-friendly, simply substitute the gnocchi with a gluten-free version and ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly and you use GF bread on the side, if using.
• VEGAN OPTION: To make this soup vegan, be sure to omit the chicken and substitute the butter with vegan butter, heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream/milk, gnocchi with a vegan-friendly version, chicken stock with veggie stock, and cheese with nutritional yeast and/or dairy-free cheese shreds.

Nutrition

Calories: 844kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 59g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 283mg | Sodium: 1327mg | Potassium: 1215mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5192IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 421mg | Iron: 3mg

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