Oh, honey, when the world feels a little too hectic, you just need a hug in a bowl, right? And let me tell you, this Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup is the biggest, warmest hug you can give yourself on a Tuesday night. Forget those complicated bistro recipes—this is pure, indulgent comfort food made lightning fast. I perfected this version after way too many disappointing bowls out there. It hits every note: savory chicken, plump little pillows of gnocchi, and that irresistible creamy, tomato-swirled sauce. Seriously, this creamy chicken soup tastes like you spent hours simmering, but we both know we have better things to do!
Why This Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe Works (E-E-A-T Focus)
When I tell you this soup is my go-to for turning a dreary evening around, I mean it! What makes this Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup so special isn’t complicated ingredients; it’s the balance we strike between rich texture and speed. I spent ages tweaking the broth-to-cream ratio until I got that perfect velvety clinginess on the gnocchi—no watery nonsense here. It’s honest, straightforward cooking. You get that deep, savory flavor that usually takes hours to develop in just 45 minutes total.
We’ve achieved something truly restaurant-worthy at home, and you can trust that this recipe is built on solid testing. If you want a rich, creamy soup that actually tastes like it should, this is the one you bake into your weekly rotation. For more ideas on speedy, flavorful soups, check out my guide on creamy parmesan Toscano soup!
Quick Prep for Your Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
The prep time listed is only 15 minutes, and I mean that! Chop your onion, mince your garlic, and dice up those amazing sun-dried tomatoes while you get the pot hot. That’s it. We aren’t dicing mountains of vegetables for this one; it’s designed to be fast. I whip this up even when I’m starving and only have thirty minutes before I need to sit down.
Flavor Profile: The Tuscan Magic in This Soup
What makes it Tuscan? It’s the trifecta! We have those chewy, slightly acidic pops from the sun-dried tomatoes, the fragrant warmth of Italian seasoning—don’t skimp on that!—and, of course, the sharp, salty goodness of real Parmesan cheese melting into the heavy cream base. That combination creates the savory depth that makes everyone ask for seconds of this Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
Essential Ingredients for Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Okay, let’s talk what you need to have on hand to make this magic happen. Keep the ingredients list handy because assembling this Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup is as crucial as the cooking itself! You absolutely must start with 1 tablespoon of good olive oil—don’t try to cheat here; it coats the pan beautifully. Then we add 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut right into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Next up are your aromatics: 1 medium yellow onion, chopped finely, and 3 cloves of garlic, minced until they’re almost paste-like.
For the spice foundation, grab 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, half a teaspoon of salt, and just a pinch of black pepper. This wakes everything up! The liquid base requires 4 cups of chicken broth, and don’t forget that 1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes, completely undrained—we need that tomato juice! Then come the stars: half a cup of sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, which you need to drain and chop roughly. And for that heavenly creaminess, we use half a cup of heavy cream, followed by the 1 (16 ounce) package of potato gnocchi. Finally, a big old double handful of fresh spinach and a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese will wrap it all up.
If you’re looking for other super fast, delicious meals, you might want to check out my recipe for creamy garlic chicken—it uses the same kind of speed!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Listen, this recipe is flexible, I promise! If you happen to have chicken thighs instead of breasts—maybe they were on sale?—toss those right in. Thighs usually add a bit more flavor, so you might even get away with cooking them just a minute less. The main rule Grandma always taught me about substitutions is: if you change the main protein, make sure you adjust the browning time slightly.
Now, about those sun-dried tomatoes: this is my secret, even if they go against the package instructions. Since they are packed in oil, why waste that flavor? After you drain the tomatoes, take that ruby-red oil and use 1 teaspoon of it instead of using some of the pure olive oil in Step 1. It adds an instant layer of intense Italian flavor right at the start! You can’t get that from the dry-packed ones, so if you see the oil-packed ones, grab them!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where we turn ingredients into that gorgeous, savory soup everyone swoons over. We’re keeping the heat steady and the steps clear so you don’t miss a beat. Grab your biggest Dutch oven or soup pot—we need room for all that creamy goodness! This whole process moves fast, which is why I love it so much.
Sautéing Aromatics and Browning the Chicken for Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
First things first: get that pot heated over medium heat and add your tablespoon of olive oil (or my seasoned sun-dried tomato oil I told you about!). Once it shimmers, toss in your bite-sized chicken pieces. You need to cook them until they’re nicely browned on all sides and fully cooked through—don’t rush this browning step, it builds flavor! Once they look perfect, take them out with a slotted spoon and set them aside for a moment.
Now, into that same seasoned oil goes your chopped onion. Cook that until it softens up nicely, which usually takes about five minutes. Once the onion is translucent, add your garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You only cook these aromatics for about 1 minute—watch closely! You want them fragrant, not burnt, or the whole batch will taste bitter. That quick minute really wakes up the spices!
Simmering and Finishing the Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Time to flood the pot! Pour in the 4 cups of chicken broth, and then dump in your can of diced tomatoes (juice and all!) along with those chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring this whole mixture up to a lovely simmer. Once it’s bubbling gently, stir in that half-cup of heavy cream—watch how gorgeous the color becomes! Then, add your package of potato gnocchi.
The gnocchi cooks incredibly fast. Just follow the package directions, but usually, they’re ready in three to five minutes as soon as they float to the top. That’s your visual cue! Once they’re floating, return your cooked chicken that’s been sitting waiting patiently back into the pot. Turn the heat down to low, stir in your fresh spinach; it wilts down practically instantly. Finally, remove the whole pot from the heat *before* stirring in that grated Parmesan cheese. That stops the sauce from getting grainy. If you want more soup inspiration, check out how I handle creamy garlic chicken penne!
Tips for Making the Best Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Even though this Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup is foolproof, I always have a few mental notes I run through to guarantee perfection every time. First, remember that substitution I mentioned? If you skip the chicken breasts and use thighs for extra richness, you’ll be rewarded, but keep an eye on the cook time so the meat doesn’t get tough!
Here’s a trick my friend taught me for when you want that super-thick, almost stew-like consistency without adding more starch: right after the gnocchi has cooked and floated up, scoop out about a quarter cup of those cooked gnocchi pillows. Mash them really well against the side of your pot with the back of your spoon. Then mix that starchy mush back into the soup before adding the cream. It thickens the broth naturally! Trust me, nobody will know how you achieved that perfect thickness.
Also, for the spinach: don’t you dare try to sneak that in while the soup is boiling hot! You turn off the heat and let the residual warmth wilt the spinach. This keeps it vibrant green instead of turning it into sad, brownish mush. If you’re looking for other Tuscan flavors adapted for different proteins, you absolutely have to see my Tuscan Marry Me Salmon recipe!
Serving Suggestions for Your Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Now that you have this absolutely gorgeous, thick, and creamy Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup ready to go, you need the perfect partner for dipping! Since this soup is so incredibly rich with cream and savory Parmesan, you want something simple to soak up every last drop. I always serve this with big, crusty slices of French bread—the kind with the shatteringly crisp crust.
If you want something lighter, a simple side salad dressed with a sharp vinaigrette works wonders to cut through the richness. But honestly, if you want to double down on the comfort factor, you need homemade dinner rolls. My recipe for fluffy buttery perfection makes the absolute best dipping vehicle for this soup. Don’t even think about using sad, store-bought white bread; we deserve better than that!
Storage and Reheating Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This soup tastes even better the next day, which is dangerous for my self-control! Store your leftovers right away in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Now listen close: when you reheat this comforting Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup, the gnocchi will soak up a ton of liquid and get a little soft.
Don’t worry, it’s not ruined! Just reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, and be sure to stir in an extra splash or two of chicken broth or even a tiny drizzle of extra cream as it warms up. This wakes the soup right back up and gets that glorious texture perfect again!
Frequently Asked Questions About Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
I know you all have questions, because I certainly did when I first started tinkering with this recipe! It’s the most requested soup in my house, and people always want to know how to customize it or if they can make it ahead. Don’t hesitate to ask; I’ve tested all the quirks of this Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup so you don’t have to!
For instance, can you make this vegetarian? Absolutely! Just swap out the chicken breast for one can of rinsed and drained cannellini beans added when you add the broth, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Boom—instant vegetarian comfort!
If you are using leftover cooked chicken—maybe you had some rotisserie chicken lying around—you can absolutely skip steps 1 and 2 of the cooking process! Just add your pre-cooked chicken back in at Step 7, right before you add the spinach. It saves time but keeps the flavor profile intact.
For those of you who like that super rich mouthfeel, wondering how to make the sauce even richer? I already shared my favorite trick with mashing the gnocchi, but if you want more dairy, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half, but only if you use my gnocchi mashing technique described above. If you want more sauce ideas that are just heavenly, you must look at my creamy chicken alfredo recipe for inspiration!
Is Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup freezer-friendly?
This is a tricky one, and my answer is: maybe, with caveats. Any soup that relies heavily on dairy, like this creamy one, doesn’t always freeze beautifully because the emulsion can sometimes break, leaving you with a slightly grainy texture once thawed. If you must freeze it, here’s what I recommend:
Cook the soup completely, but leave out the heavy cream and the Parmesan cheese. Freeze the soup base, chicken, and gnocchi once it’s cooled entirely. When you reheat it, bring it slowly back to a simmer, *then* whisk in the heavy cream and Parmesan right at the end, just like you would when making it fresh. This helps keep the dairy smooth and silky, saving your soup!
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Now, I hate to bring numbers into something that tastes this magical, but I know some of you are keeping track of macros or watching certain ingredients, so here’s the breakdown. This information comes straight from my standard calculations based on the ingredients list we just used for this Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
Remember, this is strictly an estimate per serving (and this recipe usually makes about 6 hearty bowls!). The exact counts might shift depending on the brand of gnocchi or exactly how much oil was absorbed, but this gives you a solid baseline.
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 22g (with 11g being saturated fat)
- Carbohydrates: 35g (with 3g of that being fiber)
- Protein: 30g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
Keep in mind that the sodium will vary quite a bit depending on the salt level of your chicken broth, so always taste before you season aggressively! This is just the snapshot for our amazing creamy chicken soup.
But seriously, 30 grams of protein in a creamy soup? That’s a win in my book for a satisfying dinner!
Share Your Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup Experience
Okay, now it’s your turn in the kitchen! I gave you all my secrets for the best Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup, and I truly hope it brings as much comfort to your table as it does to mine.
Once you’ve made this creamy wonder, please come back and tell me how it went! Did you use chicken thighs? Did you try my trick of mashing those gnocchi pieces for extra thickness? I want to know every detail!
Take a moment right now and give the recipe a star rating—I’m hoping for five glorious stars! And leave a comment telling me what your absolute favorite part was, whether it’s the pop of the sun-dried tomato or the silkiness of the sauce. It helps other hungry people know this recipe is the real deal.
If you snap a picture of your beautiful bowl of soup, I’d love to see it! You can tag me on social media—it truly makes my day when I see my recipes out in the world. If you ever need to reach out with super specific questions about substitutions, don’t hesitate to hop over to my contact page!
Happy cooking, my friends, and enjoy every single savory, comforting spoonful of that Tuscan chicken magic!
Print
Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A creamy, flavorful soup featuring chicken, gnocchi, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 (16 ounce) package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and add diced tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Stir in heavy cream and gnocchi. Cook according to gnocchi package directions, usually about 3-5 minutes, until the gnocchi float.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pot.
- Stir in fresh spinach until wilted.
- Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, you can mash a few cooked gnocchi against the side of the pot before adding the cream.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 95
Keywords: Tuscan chicken, gnocchi soup, creamy chicken soup, sun-dried tomato, comfort food