15-minute Chicken Pesto Soup made with packaged gnocchi, rotisserie chicken, pesto, cream, spinach, and broth. This hearty soup recipe belongs in your weeknight dinner recipe collection.
Chicken Pesto Soup is a simple soup recipe with shredded chicken, packaged gnocchi, and mouthwatering pesto. I know you'll find this recipe to be crazy easy and super delicious. It's a budget-friendly, last-minute dinner that's great for busy weeknights.
Ingredient notes
- potato gnocchi - use any store-bought gnocchi for ultra convenience.
- chicken broth - or preferred broth.
- shredded chicken - use store-bought rotisserie chicken, Instant Pot shredded chicken, or leftovers from air fryer whole chicken.
- pesto - use store-bought pesto or budget friendly basil walnut pesto or arugula pesto.
- fresh spinach - or fresh kale
How to make chicken pesto soup in 15 minutes
- Add uncooked gnocchi and chicken stock to a soup pot.
- Bring to a boil.
- Add shredded chicken, heavy cream, pesto, and spinach.
- Reduce heat to med-low and simmer until ingredients are warmed through.
How to use rotisserie chicken
When we buy fresh-cooked, rotisserie chicken from the store, we don't just bring it home and devour it in one meal. Instead, we remove all the meat (it's easier while it’s still warm), eat a couple bites, and turn it into meals, preferably with other healthy ingredients surrounding it.
This way, we maximize our dollars and find ourselves with a delicious protein we can spread across a few meals.
Try these easy soup recipes
- Minestrone Soup [Instant Pot or Stove]
- Homemade Tomato Soup
- Lasagna Soup [Instant Pot or Stove]
- Italian Sausage Soup with Orzo
- Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- In-A-Hurry Kale Chickpea Soup
Gnocchi Chicken Pesto Soup
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (16 ounce package) Potato Gnocchi (uncooked)
- 1 quart Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Shredded Cooked Chicken
- ¼ cup Heavy Cream, or half and half
- 2 tablespoons Basil Pesto
- 1 cup Fresh Spinach, or kale
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add GNOCCHI and CHICKEN BROTH to soup pot. Bring to a boil long enough to soften gnocchi.
- Reduce heat to med low. Add CHICKEN, HEAVY CREAM, PESTO, and SPINACH.
- Simmer until warmed through, stirring as needed.
- Serve warm. Garnish options: Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, lemon juice, or crushed red pepper
Equipment
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Ellen says
10 minutes is my kind of dish! This will be so perfect when the temperatures start to drop.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Ellen...enjoy!
Andrea says
I'm so excited about this soup. I love regular chicken gnocchi but can't have it any more. This is definitely a perfect alternative.
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome, Andrea! Glad you can enjoy it 🙂
Annissa says
What an easy soup to make. I love the flavors pesto adds. The spinach adds a pop of color and a burst of nutrition. Wonderful!
Traci Antonovich says
Thank you, Annissa 🙂 Love hearing that!
Jessica Formicola says
I love pesto, and this soup looks incredible! I can't wait for a chilly fall day so that I can try it!
Traci Antonovich says
Thank you, Jessica...enjoy!
Mike van stone says
It was delish. Ryan and I had it tonight for dinner with a salad. Thanks!!
Traci Antonovich says
Woohoo, so glad to hear it! I love the flavors in this one 🙂
Danielle Wolter says
10 minutes? sold! this sounds amazing. gnocchi is one of my favorite things, and i love the pesto. I'm a sucker for creamy soups, but my waistline does not agree, so i love this healthier twist.
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome Danielle! Yep, this really is a 10 minute recipe...it's crazy easy! Hope you love it!
Lisa Huff says
Wow, ready in 10 minutes? That's amazing! My kind of meal!
Traci Antonovich says
Yep, ready in 10! Necessity is the mother of invention 😉 Thanks Lisa!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
This makes me so excited for cooler weather. This looks WAY better than the Olive Garden version - I can't wait to try it!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha well, I'll take the Olive Garden's version too, but this is my lazy adaptation LOL 😉
Haley D Williams says
How yummy is this! I love a good soup and I really like the pesto flavoring you have!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Haley, yes the pesto adds so much flavor to this dish!
Katie says
Such a simple recipe that's packed with flavor! I love gnocchi, and this sounds delicious!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Katie, hope you get to try it sometime!
Benjamin J Myhre says
I am not gonna lie.... I love that Olive Garden soup and I love gnocchi. I am really a sucker for Olive Garden and this looks like a fantastic recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha I feel ya, Ben! I'm all for both, but this is my "lazy" version LOL 😉
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
Yum! I love using broth for soups and adding beans and greens - it makes for such a healthier option - and then adding the pasta rounds it out for a full meal. Such a great recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Monica...couldn't agree more! 🙂
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I love gnocchi soup! I've tried it with tomatoes but never with pesto! Loving this combo!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Shadi...I've been loving this combo for some time now! Not sure what made me think of it...other than my sheer obsession for pesto 🙂
Ginny says
I love gnocchi and that is great I can find it pre-made. Thanks for the ideas and recipe.
Traci Antonovich says
You're so welcome, Ginny 🙂 Thank you too!
Suzy says
Mmm this sounds so good!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much, Suzy!
Carle says
With all of this cold weather, a warm bowl of comfort like this is just the thing. I love how quick and easy it is too!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Carle, we love our quick comfort food over here 🙂
Carolyn says
Was beautiful and really handy to have such a quick and satisfying soup. Especially as at tail end of a cold virus and just what I needed! thanks Traci