This Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Soup is made with rotisserie chicken, pesto, gnocchi, fresh spinach, and chicken broth. It relies on prepared ingredients and requires minimal cooking skills. Add this soup to your collection of rotisserie chicken recipes for easy weeknight dinners!
Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Soup in 15 Minutes
I’m sure you’ve heard of Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
This is a similar concept, only without the half and half or heavy cream.
In fact, this gnocchi soup only has 5 ingredients…gnocchi, rotisserie chicken, pesto, spinach, and chicken broth.
Here at TKG HQ, we almost always have those ingredients on hand.
When it comes to packaged gnocchi, I love to keep it on hand for these last-minute meals.
I really want to check out DeLallo Whole Wheat Potato Gnocchi but for today’s recipe, I used regular potato gnocchi because it’s so widely available.
A healthy twist on Olive Garden’s Gnocchi Soup
Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup calls for half and half, or heavy cream, as the soup base.
Nothing wrong with that, but instead of using heavy cream, I make it with a chicken broth base (or vegetable broth) and add a little pesto for flavor and color.
Here’s how I get this gnocchi soup on the table in 15 minutes:
Step 1. Add dry gnocchi and chicken stock to a soup pot.
Step 2. Bring to a boil.
Step 3. Add shredded chicken, pesto, and spinach; continue boiling.
Step 4. Continue boiling until ingredients are warmed through, and serve!
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.
More rotisserie chicken recipes!
Rotisserie Chicken Teriyaki Lettuce Cups are an easy, light way to eat chicken and quinoa.
One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Rice can be made with little planning and prep.
Chicken Teriyaki Fried Brown Rice combines rice, chicken, and store-bought Teriyaki sauce.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredients
- packaged gnocchi
- reduced-sodium chicken broth
- cooked chicken breast
- pesto (packaged or homemade)
- fresh spinach (could use frozen too!)
Kitchen tools I use for this recipe
- 3.5 quart stainless sauce pot
- soup ladle
Want more quick weeknight dinners?
My In-A-Hurry Kale Chickpea Soup can be on the table in 15 minutes.
One Pot Ham and Peas Alfredo is an easy skillet meal the whole family will love!
Sauteed Sesame Kale Noodles are a quick pasta dish with an Asian twist.
If you love pesto, check these out!
Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients
- 17.5 oz packaged Gnocchi
- 1 quart Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Rotisserie Chicken Breast shredded
- 2 Tbsp Pesto
- 1 cup Fresh Spinach or 1 cup frozen spinach
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a 3.5 quart soup pot; combine GNOCCHI and CHICKEN BROTH; bring to boil long enough to soften gnocchi (a few minutes).
- Reduce heat to med-low; add CHICKEN, PESTO, and SPINACH LEAVES; simmer until ingredients are warmed through (3-4 min); serve warm.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired
RECIPE NOTES
Nutrition
- How to Cook Dried Beans Without Soaking (in 2 Hours!) - 03/04/2020
- 20 Easy Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights - 03/03/2020
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo - 02/18/2020
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