Smoky Bacon Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup (video)
Seriously, the best chicken gnocchi soup you’ll ever have! This incredible creamy chicken soup is an instant hit with everyone, even kids! My smoky bacon creamy chicken gnocchi soup is made with bacon bits and smoked paprika to add that smoky flavor; lots of parmesan cheese; cream, garlic, spinach and more! You’ll love it from the first bite!
My Chicken Gnocchi Soup Video Tutorial
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Ingredients for Bacon Creamy Chicken Soup
You’ll love the simple ingredients that go into this chicken gnocchi soup recipe! Everything comes together so well and tastes incredible! Here are the main ingredients you’ll need:
- Chicken Breast: I used two large chicken breasts, but you can also use chicken thigh. Cube the chicken into small pieces so it cooks faster.
- Gnocchi: I like to use fresh, handmade gnocchi for this recipe but packaged gnocchi will also work well. Check out the pasta bar at Whole Foods for fresh gnocchi!
- Spinach: I love having tons of fresh spinach in this soup. You can also use frozen spinach.
- White Wine: adding a little bit of white wine helps balance the richness of the bacon and the cream. Use a dry white wine (not sweet) such as pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. You can also use cooking wine but make sure to adjust the salt in the recipe.
- Chicken Broth: while you can make your own chicken broth from scratch, store-bought broth works great, too!
- Parmesan Cheese: a must for this soup! I like to add some into the soup and for each serving.
- Smoked Bacon: the more bacon, the better! Bacon adds so much amazing smoky flavor to this chicken gnocchi soup!
- Smoked Paprika: add this smoked spice for adding even more smoky flavor.
- Whole Milk & Cream: using whole milk and cream will make the soup rich, extra creamy and flavorful. You can also use unsweetened, plant-based milks such as coconut milk.
- All-Purpose Flour: for thickening the soup.
Substituting the White Wine
While I love to add wine into this recipe, I recognize that not everyone cooks with wine.
To replace the wine, simply use more chicken broth and add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add the lemon juice, along with the chicken broth, in the recipe when you need to add the wine. Don’t add the lemon juice too late, otherwise it can cause the milk and cream to separate!
What Types of Chicken Can I Use?
This creamy chicken soup can be made with a variety of chicken. You can even make your own, homemade chicken broth. Check out my ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ for those instructions.
- I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thigh for this recipe. Cube the chicken into small pieces so the chicken cooks faster.
- Another option is using cooked chicken, or rotisserie chicken. Simply cube the cooked chicken and add it into the soup, along with gnocchi and spinach to reheat it.
How to Make Smoky Bacon Chicken Gnocchi Soup
I love how EASY this creamy chicken soup is to make! It’s a true, one-pot dinner recipe that you can have ready in no time! Here’s how I put this soup together:
- Start by preparing all your ingredients. Chop the onions, carrots, garlic and cube the chicken, etc. Also, prepare the fresh herbs.
- Preheat a large soup pot over medium heat and add in the diced bacon bits. Render the bacon over medium heat until it’s golden and crispy around the edges. Next, add in the butter. I like to use a high-quality, salted butter since it adds great flavor!
- Next, add in the diced onion, sliced carrots and diced celery. Saute this mixture over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add in the garlic next and cook for another minute. Add in the fresh thyme, fresh rosemary and the white wine.
- Reduce the white wine for a few minutes, until almost all the liquids are evaporated. Season the mixture with salt, ground black pepper and smoked paprika. Add in the flour and stir until the flour is well incorporated.
- Next, begin adding the chicken broth. Add about 2 cups and allow the broth to thicken for a few minutes, then add the remaining broth. Add the cubed chicken breast/thigh into the soup, cover the pot with a lid, and allow the soup to come to a boil.
- Simmer the soup for about 7 to 9 minutes, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Add in the spinach and gnocchi next. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, depending on the gnocchi cooking time, per package instructions.
- Last, pour in the whole milk and the cream. Add in the grated parmesan cheese and the fresh parsley. Allow the soup to come up to a simmer, then remove it from the heat. Allow the soup to stand for about 15 to 20 minutes to thicken.
Serving Chicken Gnocchi Soup
You’re going to want to dig right into this aromatic and mouthwatering bacon chicken gnocchi soup! The smoky aroma is amazing!! For serving, I like to add even more grated parmesan cheese over the top, along with a sprinkle of ground black pepper, smoked paprika and fresh parsley. Serve the soup with warm garlic bread or garlic breadsticks on the side!
Reheating Instructions
If you have any leftovers, keep them covered and refrigerated. I recommend reheating this creamy soup on the stove top. Reheat it over medium heat, stirring often, until the soup comes up to a simmer. Simmer for a few minutes, then enjoy!
More Recipes!
Enjoyed this smoky bacon creamy chicken gnocchi soup recipe? Make sure to check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!
- Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup – cozy, creamy chicken soup with pasta, lemon zesty, and fresh herbs!
- Creamy Chicken Stew – the best recipe for cozy and creamy chicken stew with bacon bits, white wine, and parmesan cheese! A flavor explosion!
- The Best Chicken Noodle Soup – my favorite recipe for this classic dish! You’ll love this hearty and warming soup with homemade chicken broth and noodles!
- Chicken, Kale & Sweet Potato Soup – this chicken soup is perfect for fall, with fresh herbs, sweet potatoes and leafy kale!
- Smoked Salmon Chowder – my favorite recipe for smoky salmon chowder with gnocchi, bacon bits, corn and more! Extra creamy, too!
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Smoky Bacon Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe (video)
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 slices smoked bacon, diced
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter, salted or unsalted
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 2 sticks celery, diced
- 6 to 8 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, or chicken broth + 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 lbs skinless chicken breast, cubed, or chicken thigh
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 5 oz fresh baby spinach, or frozen
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup cream, or half-and-half
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- additional cheese, for serving
- bread, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a large soup pot over medium heat and add in the diced bacon bits. Render the bacon over medium heat until it’s golden and crispy around the edges. Next, add in the butter. I like to use a high-quality, salted butter since it adds great flavor!
- Next, add in the diced onion, sliced carrots and diced celery. Sauté this mixture over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add in the garlic next and cook for another minute. Add in the fresh thyme, fresh rosemary and the white wine.
- Reduce the white wine for a few minutes, until almost all the liquids are evaporated. Season the mixture with salt, ground black pepper and smoked paprika. Add in the flour and stir until the flour is well incorporated.
- Next, begin adding the chicken broth. Add about2 cups and allow the broth to thicken for a few minutes, then add the remaining broth. Add the cubed chicken breast/thigh into the soup, cover the pot with a lid, and allow the soup to come to a boil.
- Simmer the soup for about 7 to 9 minutes, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Add in the spinach and gnocchi next. Cook for2 to 4 minutes, depending on the gnocchi cooking time, per package instructions.
- Last, pour in the whole milk and the cream. Add in the grated parmesan cheese and the fresh parsley. Allow the soup to come up to a simmer, then remove it from the heat. Allow the soup to stand for about 15to 20 minutes to thicken.
- For serving, I like to add even more grated parmesan cheese over the top, along with a sprinkle of ground black pepper, smoked paprika and fresh parsley. Serve the soup with warm garlic bread or garlic breadsticks on the side!
Hi Tatyana! 🌸
Since out temperature here is staring to dip somewhat, this is a wonderful soup to make.
I am a person who can eat soup year round, unfortunately, not hubby.
So now because of the coolness….. it’s soup time and this recipe looks deeee-licious!!
Especially with the smoked bacon, which brings me to my question for you.
I am having a hard time locating smoked bacon….aargh!!
No grocers here has it, so, can I use a bit of liquid smoke instead?
Would that give me that smoky taste or should I just leave it out and go with regular bacon? Really, any bacon does make everything great!
Have a nice day Tatyana!
Hi Dalila! It’s so good to hear from you!
I’m totally a soup person, too! We eat it year-round!
This soup is so delicious for cold weather days!
I say go with the regular bacon. It will still add lots of great flavor! You can also increase the amount of smoked paprika for more smoky flavor. I personally haven’t found a liquid smoke that I enjoy. The flavor is just ‘off’ for me!
Hope you enjoy this recipe!
Thanks for always watching!
Wow, turned out sooo delicious! Made it with homemade gnocchi and I’m impressed!
Awesome! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Homemade gnocchi are the best! Thanks for leaving a review!
Tatiana thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe!!! I made it for dinner and it was so delicious 🤤 100%. I will definitely make it again.
You’re very welcome! 🙂 I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for leaving a review!
So I made this last night, and my 7yo and 1.5yo LOVED it! Seconds all the way around! That being said, this is WAY more than 8 servings. I make soup weekly and I couldn’t fit the whole recipe into my soup pot! I ended up having to split it between two pots to finish with the heavy cream and milk! Our family of four ate the smaller pot I grabbed but we still have my regular soup pot completely full! Next time I’ll definitely be halfing this recipe, unless serving for 8+ people. It is delicious!
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe! I always have seconds, too! 🙂
I must have a larger pot! I also usually serve a lot of this soup! I’ll add a note into the recipe! 🙂
This soup was delicious, the flavors all come together, the name says it all, awesome!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
This soup is damn delicious. Thank you sooooo much Tatyana, I appreciate I’m about to make it again, I’m loving it
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!! 🙂 You’re very welcome! It makes me so happy to read comments like yours! 🙂
absolutely delicious, perfect dinner! wondering if you can freeze and reheat?
Awesome! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! I don’t really recommend freezing cream based soups. They typically don’t hold up well.
Wonderful recipe! I cook for a family of eight, including some picky eaters, and this was a hit with al of them. I did make a few accidental errors in following the recipe, but I think they were compatible errors that worked out quite well, haha. I put in a bit too much lemon (from wine substitute) and forgot to add the parmesan at the end, but the result was still fantastic.
That is so awesome!! 🙂 I’m so happy the recipe was a hit with your entire family! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Thank you for sharing this delicious soup recipe! I’m experimenting with smoked paprika and it definitely adds a depth of flavor!
My pleasure! I’m so happy you loved it! It’s one of my favorites! I LOVE smoked paprika, it adds so much great flavor! 🙂
Tatyana I have enjoyed your recipes. I have been busy making cooking. Lol. My family has enjoyed every one I made. I hope you continue to get new recipes. My husband says it’s better to eat at home then going out. I got him soiled. Lol. Your recipes are delicious. Soups, salads, chicken , deserts. They are delicious.
Tatyana I have enjoyed your recipes. I have been busy making cooking and going through your recipes. Found this soup and looking forward to making it. It’s probably delicious like the rest. Thank you. Looking forward to more recipes 🙂
Hi Debbie! Comments like yours always make my day! I’m so glad you and your family are enjoying my recipes. This soup is one of my favorites! It’s creamy, smoky and easy to make! Thank you for following along!
This is officially one of my top favorite soups! Sooooo delicious and comforting!
Hi Simona! I’m so glad you loved this soup! It’s one of my personal favorites, too! 🙂
This is the second of your recipes I’ve made and this is a 5 star just like your beef and cheese peroshki. Wow, I’m literally eating this while I type. Fantastic.
This was so good ! My husband does not like thyme so I used oregano but otherwise made like recipe
Makes a lot great for lunches and a couple of dinners
Darlene from 🇨🇦
Hi Darlene! I’m so happy you and your husband loved the soup! It’s one of my all-time favorites! I’m glad the oregano worked well, too.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!