Serene
Culinary Explorer
Something to warm you, try this
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions:
- Sauté Vegetables:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Make the Roux:
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Broth and Chicken:
- Gradually stir in the chicken broth, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
- Cook the Gnocchi:
- Add the gnocchi to the simmering soup. Cook according to the package instructions, usually about 3-5 minutes, or until the gnocchi float to the surface and are tender.
- Add Spinach and Cream:
- Stir in the chopped spinach and let it wilt in the hot soup, about 2 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream, dried thyme, and dried basil. Stir to combine and heat through, but do not let the soup boil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more flour to the roux or reduce the amount of broth slightly.
- Leftover cooked turkey can be used in place of chicken.