Creamy Chicken and Gnoochi Soup

EASY.

My seasonings vary a little and are flexible, but balanced. As long as there’s sufficient thyme, salt and pepper.

Ingredients:

2 TBS butter
2 TBS olive oil
1 diced carrots (or shredded)
1 lg stalk of celery, diced
1 medium onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups half n half (or evaporated milk or combination of; can mix w/milk)
1 TBS THYME
1 tsp salt (to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper (to taste)
1 package gnocchi (found in the pasta aisle)
2 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups spinach (roughly chopped)
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Optional; 1 tsp Garlic powder, 1 TBS Better Than Bouillon chicken base, 1 tsp chicken bouillon. I also used a dash or 2 😉 of a garlic/parmesan seasoning I have)

Instructions:

In a large pot melt your butter and oil over medium high heat.
Add in the celery, onion, carrot and garlic, cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent and vegetables start to get tender.
Add in the flour and stir together to create a roux (a thickener), cook for about 1-2 minutes.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth, while stirring. Add in heavy cream and/or milk the same way.
Allow to come to a boil, and lower temperature to medium or medium low and cook until thickened, for about 8-10 minutes.
Add in the seasonings; thyme, salt and pepper *(optional; garlic powder, 1 TBS Better Than Bouillon chicken base, dash of chopped parsley, tsp chicken bouillon), gnocchi, and chicken, cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until the gnocchi is cooked through (according to package directions).
Add in the chopped spinach and cook for another 2 minutes, until wilted.
Serve with parmesan cheese for garnish

My previous outline –

And it really is this easy ~

Sauté mirepoix (diced onion, celery, garlic)
Add 1/4 cup flour (make roux), cook 1-2 minutes
Add 2 cups half n half (or evaporated milk – always in pantry – &/or milk/cream – you know “make it work” for creamy soup), 4 cups chicken broth, shredded carrot (I chopped mine), tbs THYME, tsp each s&p,
(optional-tbs chopped parsley, tbs #betterthanbouillon chicken base, tsp chicken bouillon, tsp garlic/ parmesan seasoning), 1 – 2 lbs cooked chicken breast cut to bite size (or good use for rotisserie chicken)
bring to low boil, add spinach & gnoochi,
Cook till gnoochi is done.
Taste for seasoning adjustment.
Garnish with parmesan cheese