Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 1 cup matchstick carrots (about 2 whole carrots)
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for serving)
Finishing Ingredients
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (½ of a lemon)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a 4-quart pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Flour: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to release aromas. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stir well, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Incorporate Liquids: Gradually stir in the chicken broth followed by the whole milk, blending well to avoid lumps. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add Chicken and Vegetables: Once boiling, add the shredded rotisserie chicken, potato gnocchi, and matchstick carrots. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and carrots soften.
- Finish with Greens and Cream: Stir in the baby spinach and chopped parsley, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts. Reduce the heat to low and mix in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice, stirring gently until combined and warmed through.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and optional red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Using shredded rotisserie chicken saves time, but cooked chicken breasts or thighs can also be used.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk but expect slightly less richness.
- Make sure to stir the flour well into the vegetables to prevent lumps in the soup base.
- If fresh gnocchi is not available, frozen gnocchi works well too—just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- The lemon juice brightens the soup and can be adjusted based on personal taste.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian American